The chatbox has been hidden for this page. It will reopen upon refresh. To hide the CBox permanently, select "Permanently Toggle Cbox" in your profile User Settings.
This chatbox is hidden. To reopen, edit your User Settings.
The young lord refused to allow his expression to sour as Fotios deflected his insult right back at him. Of course, Nikos knew that the older man had quite the reputation of being a beast of cunning, and he had no expectations to win in a war of words against an...experienced conversationalist such as the man standing before him.
"Indeed." But that didn't mean his pride stung any less.
He said nothing more until Fotios dismissed himself from their conversation, presumably to start down towards the beach where the race was scheduled to commence. "Of course, Lord Fotios. My pleasure," Nikos sneered in response to the Leventi's departing words, and he watched as the man turned away into the crowd. With Fotios gone, he could return his focus back to the Lady Evangelina until the start of the race. Nikos suppressed a small smile at the thought of teasing the young girl any more; she wasn't the first to be infatuated with him, and he took it upon himself to make sure that no female in his life was left empty-handed in terms of affection and attention. Or, at the very least, he enjoyed dangling the promise of that fondness in front of them and yanking it just out of reach before they could snatch it in a perpetual game of teasing. Was it the most morally correct way to treat a woman? That was debatable. But it damn sure's fun.
"I don't suppose he's any kinder in private, is he?" Nikos chuckled, allowing all acidity to melt away from his tone as he addressed the remaining Leventi that stood beside him. A sharp sting on the back of his neck interrupted his movement, and before he could turn to face the girl he clapped a hand to his nape as he turned behind him in search of the culprit. He thought the trespasser might be an insect, but he could hear no discernable buzzing and when he brought his hand away clean of any blood and bug guts, he had no choice but to turn around and scan his surroundings for the evasive pest.
An unfortunate combination of factors prevented Nikos from seeing the following pellet sailing towards him. The projectile was a small visual target to begin with, unlikely to be seen by even a man actively searching for it. But Nikos' mind was not searching, preoccupied instead with the task of finding the insect that had stung him. That, and the fact that the young lord was in mid-turnaround, so that his peripheral vision wasn't as clear as it was when he was standing still. These elements combined in a most unsavory manner for the Lord Condos, for just as he had finished turning, a pebble struck him square between the eyes. More out of shock than anything, the young man stood still with a puzzled look on his dazed visage. Huh...? After a few moments, Nikos brought himself out of his surprise and looked down at his feet, where a small army of stones had gathered after being launched in his direction. Who the hell...?
Nikos recovered quickly, it being obvious that the culprit was not an insect but rather an unsupervised child who thought to spend his time pestering the festival's guests. Or, perhaps more likely, it was a young friend of Lady Evangelina's who was taunting her from the shadows. However, before Nikos could quip to the young Lady about their being the target of an ambush, a sharp squeal erupted from the girl. He turned just in time to see her hands fly up to shield her face, before she let them drop and fled, red-faced and with tears threatening to well-up in her eyes.
Whoever threw those stones was apparently no friend.
Nikos' eyes quickly turned back to the crowd, searching for the assailant that Evangelina must have caught a glimpse of, but alas he was too slow; there were no suspicious suspects to be seen. The man was puzzled, but not surprised; the little snake was probably lurking in the crowds, waiting for an opening to begin pelting him again. Or, perhaps, he was instead in pursuit of the young Leventi. He wasn't sure who was the intended recipient of the two, but either way, he saw no point in standing around and being made into another easy target, especially not when the races were due to begin soon. Luckily, the Leventi girl had taken off in the direction of the beach, so he started on her trail in the hopes that he could kill two birds with one stone if he were lucky (not the most appropriate idiom given the circumstances) and both comfort the girl and stand ready to watch the races.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
The young lord refused to allow his expression to sour as Fotios deflected his insult right back at him. Of course, Nikos knew that the older man had quite the reputation of being a beast of cunning, and he had no expectations to win in a war of words against an...experienced conversationalist such as the man standing before him.
"Indeed." But that didn't mean his pride stung any less.
He said nothing more until Fotios dismissed himself from their conversation, presumably to start down towards the beach where the race was scheduled to commence. "Of course, Lord Fotios. My pleasure," Nikos sneered in response to the Leventi's departing words, and he watched as the man turned away into the crowd. With Fotios gone, he could return his focus back to the Lady Evangelina until the start of the race. Nikos suppressed a small smile at the thought of teasing the young girl any more; she wasn't the first to be infatuated with him, and he took it upon himself to make sure that no female in his life was left empty-handed in terms of affection and attention. Or, at the very least, he enjoyed dangling the promise of that fondness in front of them and yanking it just out of reach before they could snatch it in a perpetual game of teasing. Was it the most morally correct way to treat a woman? That was debatable. But it damn sure's fun.
"I don't suppose he's any kinder in private, is he?" Nikos chuckled, allowing all acidity to melt away from his tone as he addressed the remaining Leventi that stood beside him. A sharp sting on the back of his neck interrupted his movement, and before he could turn to face the girl he clapped a hand to his nape as he turned behind him in search of the culprit. He thought the trespasser might be an insect, but he could hear no discernable buzzing and when he brought his hand away clean of any blood and bug guts, he had no choice but to turn around and scan his surroundings for the evasive pest.
An unfortunate combination of factors prevented Nikos from seeing the following pellet sailing towards him. The projectile was a small visual target to begin with, unlikely to be seen by even a man actively searching for it. But Nikos' mind was not searching, preoccupied instead with the task of finding the insect that had stung him. That, and the fact that the young lord was in mid-turnaround, so that his peripheral vision wasn't as clear as it was when he was standing still. These elements combined in a most unsavory manner for the Lord Condos, for just as he had finished turning, a pebble struck him square between the eyes. More out of shock than anything, the young man stood still with a puzzled look on his dazed visage. Huh...? After a few moments, Nikos brought himself out of his surprise and looked down at his feet, where a small army of stones had gathered after being launched in his direction. Who the hell...?
Nikos recovered quickly, it being obvious that the culprit was not an insect but rather an unsupervised child who thought to spend his time pestering the festival's guests. Or, perhaps more likely, it was a young friend of Lady Evangelina's who was taunting her from the shadows. However, before Nikos could quip to the young Lady about their being the target of an ambush, a sharp squeal erupted from the girl. He turned just in time to see her hands fly up to shield her face, before she let them drop and fled, red-faced and with tears threatening to well-up in her eyes.
Whoever threw those stones was apparently no friend.
Nikos' eyes quickly turned back to the crowd, searching for the assailant that Evangelina must have caught a glimpse of, but alas he was too slow; there were no suspicious suspects to be seen. The man was puzzled, but not surprised; the little snake was probably lurking in the crowds, waiting for an opening to begin pelting him again. Or, perhaps, he was instead in pursuit of the young Leventi. He wasn't sure who was the intended recipient of the two, but either way, he saw no point in standing around and being made into another easy target, especially not when the races were due to begin soon. Luckily, the Leventi girl had taken off in the direction of the beach, so he started on her trail in the hopes that he could kill two birds with one stone if he were lucky (not the most appropriate idiom given the circumstances) and both comfort the girl and stand ready to watch the races.
The young lord refused to allow his expression to sour as Fotios deflected his insult right back at him. Of course, Nikos knew that the older man had quite the reputation of being a beast of cunning, and he had no expectations to win in a war of words against an...experienced conversationalist such as the man standing before him.
"Indeed." But that didn't mean his pride stung any less.
He said nothing more until Fotios dismissed himself from their conversation, presumably to start down towards the beach where the race was scheduled to commence. "Of course, Lord Fotios. My pleasure," Nikos sneered in response to the Leventi's departing words, and he watched as the man turned away into the crowd. With Fotios gone, he could return his focus back to the Lady Evangelina until the start of the race. Nikos suppressed a small smile at the thought of teasing the young girl any more; she wasn't the first to be infatuated with him, and he took it upon himself to make sure that no female in his life was left empty-handed in terms of affection and attention. Or, at the very least, he enjoyed dangling the promise of that fondness in front of them and yanking it just out of reach before they could snatch it in a perpetual game of teasing. Was it the most morally correct way to treat a woman? That was debatable. But it damn sure's fun.
"I don't suppose he's any kinder in private, is he?" Nikos chuckled, allowing all acidity to melt away from his tone as he addressed the remaining Leventi that stood beside him. A sharp sting on the back of his neck interrupted his movement, and before he could turn to face the girl he clapped a hand to his nape as he turned behind him in search of the culprit. He thought the trespasser might be an insect, but he could hear no discernable buzzing and when he brought his hand away clean of any blood and bug guts, he had no choice but to turn around and scan his surroundings for the evasive pest.
An unfortunate combination of factors prevented Nikos from seeing the following pellet sailing towards him. The projectile was a small visual target to begin with, unlikely to be seen by even a man actively searching for it. But Nikos' mind was not searching, preoccupied instead with the task of finding the insect that had stung him. That, and the fact that the young lord was in mid-turnaround, so that his peripheral vision wasn't as clear as it was when he was standing still. These elements combined in a most unsavory manner for the Lord Condos, for just as he had finished turning, a pebble struck him square between the eyes. More out of shock than anything, the young man stood still with a puzzled look on his dazed visage. Huh...? After a few moments, Nikos brought himself out of his surprise and looked down at his feet, where a small army of stones had gathered after being launched in his direction. Who the hell...?
Nikos recovered quickly, it being obvious that the culprit was not an insect but rather an unsupervised child who thought to spend his time pestering the festival's guests. Or, perhaps more likely, it was a young friend of Lady Evangelina's who was taunting her from the shadows. However, before Nikos could quip to the young Lady about their being the target of an ambush, a sharp squeal erupted from the girl. He turned just in time to see her hands fly up to shield her face, before she let them drop and fled, red-faced and with tears threatening to well-up in her eyes.
Whoever threw those stones was apparently no friend.
Nikos' eyes quickly turned back to the crowd, searching for the assailant that Evangelina must have caught a glimpse of, but alas he was too slow; there were no suspicious suspects to be seen. The man was puzzled, but not surprised; the little snake was probably lurking in the crowds, waiting for an opening to begin pelting him again. Or, perhaps, he was instead in pursuit of the young Leventi. He wasn't sure who was the intended recipient of the two, but either way, he saw no point in standing around and being made into another easy target, especially not when the races were due to begin soon. Luckily, the Leventi girl had taken off in the direction of the beach, so he started on her trail in the hopes that he could kill two birds with one stone if he were lucky (not the most appropriate idiom given the circumstances) and both comfort the girl and stand ready to watch the races.
He was mid laugh when Nana flounced up and tapped him on the shoulder. Turning, he gave her half a glance before he realized that Condos was searching this way. Clasping his hand over Nana’s mouth, he put an arm around her flat little torso and dragged her down so that they were both kneeling behind the stall. “Shh!” Stephanos grinned, biting his lower lip in wicked glee. Nikos had not seen them. What a hilarious circumstance. Oh but now he was leaving. Typical.
That was about the moment he remembered that he had hold of...someone. Looking back down, he removed his hand and pushed back the ugly himation. “You’re one of the Leventi girls, aren’t you?” He couldn’t for the life of him remember her name. She hadn’t been to court and he almost never went over to their house for dinner. Even if he had, she wouldn’t have been allowed to be present. She was too young.
“There you go, little one” he rose and made sure she was upright again, unhanding her now and turning his attention back to Achilleas.
“You made her cry!” he laughed, pointing at...the other little Leventi girl whose name he also could not remember. Honestly, there were too many of them and these ones were far too young to be of any interest, so far as he found women interesting. Selene and Theodora were who he liked to look at, though their younger sister, Olympia, had caught his attention for a few seconds too. She hadn’t given him much of a look though, and so he’d not pursued that line of thought.
Leaving Nana to storm off or to follow him, he moved closer to Achilleas, still laughing, and clasped the man on the shoulder. “You have surprisingly awful aim! But don’t go apologize to her. That dolt didn’t see where the rocks came from. If we’re quick, I think we can hit him again. But not the children. It’s not good to throw rocks at little girls, Achilleas.” He took on a noble expression of sage wisdom. Teasing his cousin was almost more fun than throwing pebbles at Nikos. Almost.
“Come on, come on!” he pulled Achilleas by the elbow, practically dragging the man through the crowd until they drew up closer to Nikos again. Without waiting, Stephanos expertly threw yet another stone, beaning Nikos in the back of the head again.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
He was mid laugh when Nana flounced up and tapped him on the shoulder. Turning, he gave her half a glance before he realized that Condos was searching this way. Clasping his hand over Nana’s mouth, he put an arm around her flat little torso and dragged her down so that they were both kneeling behind the stall. “Shh!” Stephanos grinned, biting his lower lip in wicked glee. Nikos had not seen them. What a hilarious circumstance. Oh but now he was leaving. Typical.
That was about the moment he remembered that he had hold of...someone. Looking back down, he removed his hand and pushed back the ugly himation. “You’re one of the Leventi girls, aren’t you?” He couldn’t for the life of him remember her name. She hadn’t been to court and he almost never went over to their house for dinner. Even if he had, she wouldn’t have been allowed to be present. She was too young.
“There you go, little one” he rose and made sure she was upright again, unhanding her now and turning his attention back to Achilleas.
“You made her cry!” he laughed, pointing at...the other little Leventi girl whose name he also could not remember. Honestly, there were too many of them and these ones were far too young to be of any interest, so far as he found women interesting. Selene and Theodora were who he liked to look at, though their younger sister, Olympia, had caught his attention for a few seconds too. She hadn’t given him much of a look though, and so he’d not pursued that line of thought.
Leaving Nana to storm off or to follow him, he moved closer to Achilleas, still laughing, and clasped the man on the shoulder. “You have surprisingly awful aim! But don’t go apologize to her. That dolt didn’t see where the rocks came from. If we’re quick, I think we can hit him again. But not the children. It’s not good to throw rocks at little girls, Achilleas.” He took on a noble expression of sage wisdom. Teasing his cousin was almost more fun than throwing pebbles at Nikos. Almost.
“Come on, come on!” he pulled Achilleas by the elbow, practically dragging the man through the crowd until they drew up closer to Nikos again. Without waiting, Stephanos expertly threw yet another stone, beaning Nikos in the back of the head again.
He was mid laugh when Nana flounced up and tapped him on the shoulder. Turning, he gave her half a glance before he realized that Condos was searching this way. Clasping his hand over Nana’s mouth, he put an arm around her flat little torso and dragged her down so that they were both kneeling behind the stall. “Shh!” Stephanos grinned, biting his lower lip in wicked glee. Nikos had not seen them. What a hilarious circumstance. Oh but now he was leaving. Typical.
That was about the moment he remembered that he had hold of...someone. Looking back down, he removed his hand and pushed back the ugly himation. “You’re one of the Leventi girls, aren’t you?” He couldn’t for the life of him remember her name. She hadn’t been to court and he almost never went over to their house for dinner. Even if he had, she wouldn’t have been allowed to be present. She was too young.
“There you go, little one” he rose and made sure she was upright again, unhanding her now and turning his attention back to Achilleas.
“You made her cry!” he laughed, pointing at...the other little Leventi girl whose name he also could not remember. Honestly, there were too many of them and these ones were far too young to be of any interest, so far as he found women interesting. Selene and Theodora were who he liked to look at, though their younger sister, Olympia, had caught his attention for a few seconds too. She hadn’t given him much of a look though, and so he’d not pursued that line of thought.
Leaving Nana to storm off or to follow him, he moved closer to Achilleas, still laughing, and clasped the man on the shoulder. “You have surprisingly awful aim! But don’t go apologize to her. That dolt didn’t see where the rocks came from. If we’re quick, I think we can hit him again. But not the children. It’s not good to throw rocks at little girls, Achilleas.” He took on a noble expression of sage wisdom. Teasing his cousin was almost more fun than throwing pebbles at Nikos. Almost.
“Come on, come on!” he pulled Achilleas by the elbow, practically dragging the man through the crowd until they drew up closer to Nikos again. Without waiting, Stephanos expertly threw yet another stone, beaning Nikos in the back of the head again.
Everything seemed to happen very quickly then. The shriek that alerted Achilleas to the fact that at least one of his projectiles has gone astray, the plummeting feeling in his stomach. He turned back towards the sound but Condos was looking and so to his eternal shame he was about to duck out of site when there was a tap on his shoulder and a shrill little voice was calling.
The Lord Mikaelidas was still half-looking toward Nikos and the child, and all of a sudden there was another child and he opened his mouth to find some sort of explanation when Steph suddenly swept her away to hide behind one of the stalls and Achilleas found himself at their heels, feeling all kinds of wretched and wanting to go and see that the girl was ok. He had leant around to see her flee and for Nikos to go after her, and when Stephanos’ laughter called his attention back he was less than amused. The Lord looked more than a little flustered.
“ It must have ricocheted!” He protested as he straightened from the crouched position behind the stall. Looking in dismay towards where the girl had departed to, he felt his cousin’s hand land on his shoulder and suppressed a wince at what was a fairly accurate statement pertaining to his aim, and an even more accurate assumption as to what his favoured recourse would be. “ But I should see if she is ok” he muttered, still craning his neck to try and follow her progress through the crowd. “Was she really crying?” He blew out a breath and shot Stephanos a dark look, not ready to find the humour in it yet.
Still he allowed himself to be jostled along by his cousin, throwing out a defensive ‘ I hit Condos too” and tugging his elbow free before he remembered their new company and glanced at the little blonde child they seemed to have acquired. Achilleas shot her a bemused smile before leaning toward Stephanos.
“Why is there a child following us?” He murmured out the side of his mouth even as they began to make their way down toward the beach where the race was to be run. But his cousin, in a predictable fashion, was already focused on his next misadventure and Achilleas blinked as he watched the man launch yet another pebble at Nikos’, as if the previous disaster had not been enough to discourage him.
The Lord looked in consternation from Stephanos to the blonde girl who now stood witness to this whole sorry event and he wondered if he might explain it away. “ It’s just a game” he offered, not sounding as convincing as he would have liked. “We..uh…tag Lord Nikos with a pebble and he runs away. That’s the game. Now we.. hide.”
He steered the girl sideways so they would not be found in the vicinity of the assailant who had just clocked Nikos in the head again, glaring at Stephanos all the while, for had they not courted trouble 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.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Everything seemed to happen very quickly then. The shriek that alerted Achilleas to the fact that at least one of his projectiles has gone astray, the plummeting feeling in his stomach. He turned back towards the sound but Condos was looking and so to his eternal shame he was about to duck out of site when there was a tap on his shoulder and a shrill little voice was calling.
The Lord Mikaelidas was still half-looking toward Nikos and the child, and all of a sudden there was another child and he opened his mouth to find some sort of explanation when Steph suddenly swept her away to hide behind one of the stalls and Achilleas found himself at their heels, feeling all kinds of wretched and wanting to go and see that the girl was ok. He had leant around to see her flee and for Nikos to go after her, and when Stephanos’ laughter called his attention back he was less than amused. The Lord looked more than a little flustered.
“ It must have ricocheted!” He protested as he straightened from the crouched position behind the stall. Looking in dismay towards where the girl had departed to, he felt his cousin’s hand land on his shoulder and suppressed a wince at what was a fairly accurate statement pertaining to his aim, and an even more accurate assumption as to what his favoured recourse would be. “ But I should see if she is ok” he muttered, still craning his neck to try and follow her progress through the crowd. “Was she really crying?” He blew out a breath and shot Stephanos a dark look, not ready to find the humour in it yet.
Still he allowed himself to be jostled along by his cousin, throwing out a defensive ‘ I hit Condos too” and tugging his elbow free before he remembered their new company and glanced at the little blonde child they seemed to have acquired. Achilleas shot her a bemused smile before leaning toward Stephanos.
“Why is there a child following us?” He murmured out the side of his mouth even as they began to make their way down toward the beach where the race was to be run. But his cousin, in a predictable fashion, was already focused on his next misadventure and Achilleas blinked as he watched the man launch yet another pebble at Nikos’, as if the previous disaster had not been enough to discourage him.
The Lord looked in consternation from Stephanos to the blonde girl who now stood witness to this whole sorry event and he wondered if he might explain it away. “ It’s just a game” he offered, not sounding as convincing as he would have liked. “We..uh…tag Lord Nikos with a pebble and he runs away. That’s the game. Now we.. hide.”
He steered the girl sideways so they would not be found in the vicinity of the assailant who had just clocked Nikos in the head again, glaring at Stephanos all the while, for had they not courted trouble enough?
Everything seemed to happen very quickly then. The shriek that alerted Achilleas to the fact that at least one of his projectiles has gone astray, the plummeting feeling in his stomach. He turned back towards the sound but Condos was looking and so to his eternal shame he was about to duck out of site when there was a tap on his shoulder and a shrill little voice was calling.
The Lord Mikaelidas was still half-looking toward Nikos and the child, and all of a sudden there was another child and he opened his mouth to find some sort of explanation when Steph suddenly swept her away to hide behind one of the stalls and Achilleas found himself at their heels, feeling all kinds of wretched and wanting to go and see that the girl was ok. He had leant around to see her flee and for Nikos to go after her, and when Stephanos’ laughter called his attention back he was less than amused. The Lord looked more than a little flustered.
“ It must have ricocheted!” He protested as he straightened from the crouched position behind the stall. Looking in dismay towards where the girl had departed to, he felt his cousin’s hand land on his shoulder and suppressed a wince at what was a fairly accurate statement pertaining to his aim, and an even more accurate assumption as to what his favoured recourse would be. “ But I should see if she is ok” he muttered, still craning his neck to try and follow her progress through the crowd. “Was she really crying?” He blew out a breath and shot Stephanos a dark look, not ready to find the humour in it yet.
Still he allowed himself to be jostled along by his cousin, throwing out a defensive ‘ I hit Condos too” and tugging his elbow free before he remembered their new company and glanced at the little blonde child they seemed to have acquired. Achilleas shot her a bemused smile before leaning toward Stephanos.
“Why is there a child following us?” He murmured out the side of his mouth even as they began to make their way down toward the beach where the race was to be run. But his cousin, in a predictable fashion, was already focused on his next misadventure and Achilleas blinked as he watched the man launch yet another pebble at Nikos’, as if the previous disaster had not been enough to discourage him.
The Lord looked in consternation from Stephanos to the blonde girl who now stood witness to this whole sorry event and he wondered if he might explain it away. “ It’s just a game” he offered, not sounding as convincing as he would have liked. “We..uh…tag Lord Nikos with a pebble and he runs away. That’s the game. Now we.. hide.”
He steered the girl sideways so they would not be found in the vicinity of the assailant who had just clocked Nikos in the head again, glaring at Stephanos all the while, for had they not courted trouble enough?
For a girl no bigger than she was, it was rather surprising just how fast the almost twelve-year-old Evangelina could run as she weaved through the bustling crowd. Why was it when she was angry she cried? The rock against her face hadn’t hurt that badly but the tears seemed to be pooling up in front of her eyes making it difficult to tell where she was going.
She played it over in her mind. Had she pulled any pranks on Lord Achilleas? Evie didn’t know him that well but had she done something to offend him. When was the last time that she’d seen him? She couldn't even remember the last time they'd been at a function together.
There was a large gnarled oak not far in front of her. Neither near the start of the race nor the finish line, but in clear sight of both of them, it seemed to perfect place for her to hideaway. It never crossed her mind that someone might have followed her, and she ducked down, letting herself slide to the ground with her back against the tree.
Pulling her knees up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around herself and buried her face into her knees and cried. She’d been so close to making at least a passible impression upon Lord Nikos and then Lord Achilleas had to ruin it. He’d just had to make her the butt of jokes for weeks if not months or years. Had she heard laughter when the rock hit her face?
Lord Achilleas was to blame! What sort of cruel person laughed at another’s misfortune?
Suddenly the races weren’t of interest to her. The only thing that mattered was for this day to just be over. She wanted to go home. Lifting her head, she rested her elbows on her knees and let her fall into the cradle of her hands. Sniffling, she swiped a couple of fingers haphazardly across her eyes. This day is ruined.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
For a girl no bigger than she was, it was rather surprising just how fast the almost twelve-year-old Evangelina could run as she weaved through the bustling crowd. Why was it when she was angry she cried? The rock against her face hadn’t hurt that badly but the tears seemed to be pooling up in front of her eyes making it difficult to tell where she was going.
She played it over in her mind. Had she pulled any pranks on Lord Achilleas? Evie didn’t know him that well but had she done something to offend him. When was the last time that she’d seen him? She couldn't even remember the last time they'd been at a function together.
There was a large gnarled oak not far in front of her. Neither near the start of the race nor the finish line, but in clear sight of both of them, it seemed to perfect place for her to hideaway. It never crossed her mind that someone might have followed her, and she ducked down, letting herself slide to the ground with her back against the tree.
Pulling her knees up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around herself and buried her face into her knees and cried. She’d been so close to making at least a passible impression upon Lord Nikos and then Lord Achilleas had to ruin it. He’d just had to make her the butt of jokes for weeks if not months or years. Had she heard laughter when the rock hit her face?
Lord Achilleas was to blame! What sort of cruel person laughed at another’s misfortune?
Suddenly the races weren’t of interest to her. The only thing that mattered was for this day to just be over. She wanted to go home. Lifting her head, she rested her elbows on her knees and let her fall into the cradle of her hands. Sniffling, she swiped a couple of fingers haphazardly across her eyes. This day is ruined.
For a girl no bigger than she was, it was rather surprising just how fast the almost twelve-year-old Evangelina could run as she weaved through the bustling crowd. Why was it when she was angry she cried? The rock against her face hadn’t hurt that badly but the tears seemed to be pooling up in front of her eyes making it difficult to tell where she was going.
She played it over in her mind. Had she pulled any pranks on Lord Achilleas? Evie didn’t know him that well but had she done something to offend him. When was the last time that she’d seen him? She couldn't even remember the last time they'd been at a function together.
There was a large gnarled oak not far in front of her. Neither near the start of the race nor the finish line, but in clear sight of both of them, it seemed to perfect place for her to hideaway. It never crossed her mind that someone might have followed her, and she ducked down, letting herself slide to the ground with her back against the tree.
Pulling her knees up to her chest, she wrapped her arms around herself and buried her face into her knees and cried. She’d been so close to making at least a passible impression upon Lord Nikos and then Lord Achilleas had to ruin it. He’d just had to make her the butt of jokes for weeks if not months or years. Had she heard laughter when the rock hit her face?
Lord Achilleas was to blame! What sort of cruel person laughed at another’s misfortune?
Suddenly the races weren’t of interest to her. The only thing that mattered was for this day to just be over. She wanted to go home. Lifting her head, she rested her elbows on her knees and let her fall into the cradle of her hands. Sniffling, she swiped a couple of fingers haphazardly across her eyes. This day is ruined.
Sitting astride his horse, Prince Zacharias had a perfect view of his cousin and brother making trouble for Nikos of Condos. He sighed from deep within his chest and turned his eyes forward. When younger, he’d definitely been part of the childish games but the older he grew, the less inclined to play he became. Stephanos took very much after their mother - a pursuer of pleasure and lover of life. Zacharias saw his life for what it was; he would be king and did not have the luxury of acting like his little brother. Everything he did or said was constantly on display. Their father demanded perfection and perfection was what Zacharias would give him.
Being perfect did not mean that he did not know how to relax from time to time. He was Taengean. Even the coldest brute among them knew what it meant to indulge, at least every once in a while. Charioteering was usually his outlet but he always won. People said he was blessed of the gods and he would not deny it. Having never lost a race, not even while first learning, he knew he was Chosen. Chosen to win, born to lead. Horse racing was different and he lost this sport as much as he won it. The thing about it he liked was the challenge.
His horse shifted underneath him, ready for the race to begin. The crown prince held himself confidently in the saddle, looking over the crowd impassively until he felt compelled to smile and wave at several women who were desperate for his attention. Unlike Stephanos, he felt absolutely nothing but mild disgust whenever girls attempting to corner him. He was by no means afraid of them, but several had openly asked to share his bed and he had always turned them down. Never once did he feel the slightest tug in that direction. This was his one and only concern about becoming king. Ready in every other respect, he was not certain that he could or would fulfill the duty of providing heirs.
Riders surrounded him. Directly to his left sat a handsome man whom he knew for a fact to be common born. Zacharias narrowed his eyes, trying to place him, knowing he’d seen this person many times before but not knowing exactly where. He had some vague notion about the palati but why this man would be there eluded him. His gaze was on Hesiodos long enough that the other man looked over at him. It was then that Zacharias realized who this was.
“You’re Hesiodos,” he said. “The bard, yes?” Now this was the kind of beauty that he could appreciate. Zacharias smiled genuinely and nodded. “Prepare to lose this race, bard.”
Zacharias was not like Stephanos, but he wasn’t unlike him either. More responsible, more reserved, perhaps, but he was Taengean and he was a Mikaelidas. He liked to win and he was not above taunting a competitor. His attention swung away from Hesiodos when some sort of scuffle broke out and he looked in time to see Stephanos and Achilleas tossing rocks at Nikos, a little girl crying, and Fotios Leventi walking away like nothing was wrong. So a typical day out. He sighed and looked to Hesiodos again, waiting for a response.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Sitting astride his horse, Prince Zacharias had a perfect view of his cousin and brother making trouble for Nikos of Condos. He sighed from deep within his chest and turned his eyes forward. When younger, he’d definitely been part of the childish games but the older he grew, the less inclined to play he became. Stephanos took very much after their mother - a pursuer of pleasure and lover of life. Zacharias saw his life for what it was; he would be king and did not have the luxury of acting like his little brother. Everything he did or said was constantly on display. Their father demanded perfection and perfection was what Zacharias would give him.
Being perfect did not mean that he did not know how to relax from time to time. He was Taengean. Even the coldest brute among them knew what it meant to indulge, at least every once in a while. Charioteering was usually his outlet but he always won. People said he was blessed of the gods and he would not deny it. Having never lost a race, not even while first learning, he knew he was Chosen. Chosen to win, born to lead. Horse racing was different and he lost this sport as much as he won it. The thing about it he liked was the challenge.
His horse shifted underneath him, ready for the race to begin. The crown prince held himself confidently in the saddle, looking over the crowd impassively until he felt compelled to smile and wave at several women who were desperate for his attention. Unlike Stephanos, he felt absolutely nothing but mild disgust whenever girls attempting to corner him. He was by no means afraid of them, but several had openly asked to share his bed and he had always turned them down. Never once did he feel the slightest tug in that direction. This was his one and only concern about becoming king. Ready in every other respect, he was not certain that he could or would fulfill the duty of providing heirs.
Riders surrounded him. Directly to his left sat a handsome man whom he knew for a fact to be common born. Zacharias narrowed his eyes, trying to place him, knowing he’d seen this person many times before but not knowing exactly where. He had some vague notion about the palati but why this man would be there eluded him. His gaze was on Hesiodos long enough that the other man looked over at him. It was then that Zacharias realized who this was.
“You’re Hesiodos,” he said. “The bard, yes?” Now this was the kind of beauty that he could appreciate. Zacharias smiled genuinely and nodded. “Prepare to lose this race, bard.”
Zacharias was not like Stephanos, but he wasn’t unlike him either. More responsible, more reserved, perhaps, but he was Taengean and he was a Mikaelidas. He liked to win and he was not above taunting a competitor. His attention swung away from Hesiodos when some sort of scuffle broke out and he looked in time to see Stephanos and Achilleas tossing rocks at Nikos, a little girl crying, and Fotios Leventi walking away like nothing was wrong. So a typical day out. He sighed and looked to Hesiodos again, waiting for a response.
Sitting astride his horse, Prince Zacharias had a perfect view of his cousin and brother making trouble for Nikos of Condos. He sighed from deep within his chest and turned his eyes forward. When younger, he’d definitely been part of the childish games but the older he grew, the less inclined to play he became. Stephanos took very much after their mother - a pursuer of pleasure and lover of life. Zacharias saw his life for what it was; he would be king and did not have the luxury of acting like his little brother. Everything he did or said was constantly on display. Their father demanded perfection and perfection was what Zacharias would give him.
Being perfect did not mean that he did not know how to relax from time to time. He was Taengean. Even the coldest brute among them knew what it meant to indulge, at least every once in a while. Charioteering was usually his outlet but he always won. People said he was blessed of the gods and he would not deny it. Having never lost a race, not even while first learning, he knew he was Chosen. Chosen to win, born to lead. Horse racing was different and he lost this sport as much as he won it. The thing about it he liked was the challenge.
His horse shifted underneath him, ready for the race to begin. The crown prince held himself confidently in the saddle, looking over the crowd impassively until he felt compelled to smile and wave at several women who were desperate for his attention. Unlike Stephanos, he felt absolutely nothing but mild disgust whenever girls attempting to corner him. He was by no means afraid of them, but several had openly asked to share his bed and he had always turned them down. Never once did he feel the slightest tug in that direction. This was his one and only concern about becoming king. Ready in every other respect, he was not certain that he could or would fulfill the duty of providing heirs.
Riders surrounded him. Directly to his left sat a handsome man whom he knew for a fact to be common born. Zacharias narrowed his eyes, trying to place him, knowing he’d seen this person many times before but not knowing exactly where. He had some vague notion about the palati but why this man would be there eluded him. His gaze was on Hesiodos long enough that the other man looked over at him. It was then that Zacharias realized who this was.
“You’re Hesiodos,” he said. “The bard, yes?” Now this was the kind of beauty that he could appreciate. Zacharias smiled genuinely and nodded. “Prepare to lose this race, bard.”
Zacharias was not like Stephanos, but he wasn’t unlike him either. More responsible, more reserved, perhaps, but he was Taengean and he was a Mikaelidas. He liked to win and he was not above taunting a competitor. His attention swung away from Hesiodos when some sort of scuffle broke out and he looked in time to see Stephanos and Achilleas tossing rocks at Nikos, a little girl crying, and Fotios Leventi walking away like nothing was wrong. So a typical day out. He sighed and looked to Hesiodos again, waiting for a response.
“It must have ricocheted!”
“Excuses,” Stephanos chided, tisking at his cousin.
“But I should see if she is ok. Was she really crying?”
“I can still hear her blubbering,” he pointed out. “Really, Achilleas. This is a bit rich coming from me but you need to take responsibility for your own actions. I’m surprised at you.”
The two of them cruised after Nikos, elbowing each other the entire way and making themselves a genuine disappointment to their families and friends. This didn’t bother Stephanos. He was perfectly content for his elder brother to have all of the glory and honor. That left the fun bits of life for himself. Even now he could see Zacharias waving to the crowd, speaking to a competitor, and generally looking as princely as one could possibly be. It was both gratifying and eye-roll-inducing.
“Why is there a child following us?” Achilleas asked.
“Hmmm?” Stephanos glanced over his shoulder at Nana Leventi. “Oh. I...don’t know. She tapped me on the shoulder, practically threatened to blow my cover. Just ignore her. There’s Leventi’s everywhere. If you pay attention to one, you have to pay attention to them all and I just want to watch the race. Come on.”
He tugged harder on Achilleas in order to outstrip Nana. Her legs were short. He was banking on her not being able to keep up. Evangelina streaked past them, running to an oak to hide among its roots. Stephanos felt compelled to point this out to his cousin. How Achilleas had not only made Evangelina cry, but that she’d gone away from everyone else.
“Achilleas strikes again,” he said, tisking and shaking his head slowly. “Look. There’s Zacharias. Don’t wave at him. With your help today, he might lose the race by association. Wave to that bard instead.”
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
“It must have ricocheted!”
“Excuses,” Stephanos chided, tisking at his cousin.
“But I should see if she is ok. Was she really crying?”
“I can still hear her blubbering,” he pointed out. “Really, Achilleas. This is a bit rich coming from me but you need to take responsibility for your own actions. I’m surprised at you.”
The two of them cruised after Nikos, elbowing each other the entire way and making themselves a genuine disappointment to their families and friends. This didn’t bother Stephanos. He was perfectly content for his elder brother to have all of the glory and honor. That left the fun bits of life for himself. Even now he could see Zacharias waving to the crowd, speaking to a competitor, and generally looking as princely as one could possibly be. It was both gratifying and eye-roll-inducing.
“Why is there a child following us?” Achilleas asked.
“Hmmm?” Stephanos glanced over his shoulder at Nana Leventi. “Oh. I...don’t know. She tapped me on the shoulder, practically threatened to blow my cover. Just ignore her. There’s Leventi’s everywhere. If you pay attention to one, you have to pay attention to them all and I just want to watch the race. Come on.”
He tugged harder on Achilleas in order to outstrip Nana. Her legs were short. He was banking on her not being able to keep up. Evangelina streaked past them, running to an oak to hide among its roots. Stephanos felt compelled to point this out to his cousin. How Achilleas had not only made Evangelina cry, but that she’d gone away from everyone else.
“Achilleas strikes again,” he said, tisking and shaking his head slowly. “Look. There’s Zacharias. Don’t wave at him. With your help today, he might lose the race by association. Wave to that bard instead.”
“It must have ricocheted!”
“Excuses,” Stephanos chided, tisking at his cousin.
“But I should see if she is ok. Was she really crying?”
“I can still hear her blubbering,” he pointed out. “Really, Achilleas. This is a bit rich coming from me but you need to take responsibility for your own actions. I’m surprised at you.”
The two of them cruised after Nikos, elbowing each other the entire way and making themselves a genuine disappointment to their families and friends. This didn’t bother Stephanos. He was perfectly content for his elder brother to have all of the glory and honor. That left the fun bits of life for himself. Even now he could see Zacharias waving to the crowd, speaking to a competitor, and generally looking as princely as one could possibly be. It was both gratifying and eye-roll-inducing.
“Why is there a child following us?” Achilleas asked.
“Hmmm?” Stephanos glanced over his shoulder at Nana Leventi. “Oh. I...don’t know. She tapped me on the shoulder, practically threatened to blow my cover. Just ignore her. There’s Leventi’s everywhere. If you pay attention to one, you have to pay attention to them all and I just want to watch the race. Come on.”
He tugged harder on Achilleas in order to outstrip Nana. Her legs were short. He was banking on her not being able to keep up. Evangelina streaked past them, running to an oak to hide among its roots. Stephanos felt compelled to point this out to his cousin. How Achilleas had not only made Evangelina cry, but that she’d gone away from everyone else.
“Achilleas strikes again,” he said, tisking and shaking his head slowly. “Look. There’s Zacharias. Don’t wave at him. With your help today, he might lose the race by association. Wave to that bard instead.”
He'd forgotten how fast little children could run.
One moment he had Evangelina within his sights; the next, she was gone, a wriggling minnow that had slipped away into the stream of people. He forced himself to quicken his pace, cursing his short stature all the way as he struggled to keep up with the child.
Unfortunately, Nikos did not share the slim, thin frame of childhood that Evangelina currently wore. He had to shoulder his way through the streets simply to stay in what he thought could be her wake.
Really, it was quite a lot of work for a grown man to pursue anyone in this fashion, let alone a child, but his hands were tied; if he did not seek out and comfort the girl, he risked tearing down the meticulously-manicured reputation as a charming bachelor that he'd constructed, and there was no way he would allow one crying child to share her misfortune (and his lack of action) with that of her many sisters and cousins. No, there was too much at risk for him to stop now. And, on the plus side, Evangelina had seen their assailants. Without her, he would never know who to enact revenge on. Or how.
He pressed on, eventually coming to a T where the paths split to reveal a sizeable tree, with the racetrack just behind it. And, even more fortunate for him, he could see a familiar flash of braids peeking out from behind the oak.
He slowly strode out towards the tree, hopefully baiting their attackers to follow their target out into the open. He dropped into a crouch as he approached the trunk, sitting just out of arms reach as he rounded its circumference. And there sat Evangelina, head buried in her hands and sobbing quietly. Not wanting to startle her, he reached out to put a hand on top of her head. He took the index finger of his free hand and placed it against his lips, a silent miming of the classic Shhh. There he bent down even further in his crouch and scanned the earth for any signs of....Aha! He took his hand away from his mouth and scooped up a handful of acorns off the ground, carefully minimizing any rustling so as not to announce his plans to the assailants he hoped had pursued them. He reached out to drop some in Evangelina's hands and, with a sly grin, pointed towards the top of the tree in a silent dare.
It was time for the hunters to become the hunted.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
He'd forgotten how fast little children could run.
One moment he had Evangelina within his sights; the next, she was gone, a wriggling minnow that had slipped away into the stream of people. He forced himself to quicken his pace, cursing his short stature all the way as he struggled to keep up with the child.
Unfortunately, Nikos did not share the slim, thin frame of childhood that Evangelina currently wore. He had to shoulder his way through the streets simply to stay in what he thought could be her wake.
Really, it was quite a lot of work for a grown man to pursue anyone in this fashion, let alone a child, but his hands were tied; if he did not seek out and comfort the girl, he risked tearing down the meticulously-manicured reputation as a charming bachelor that he'd constructed, and there was no way he would allow one crying child to share her misfortune (and his lack of action) with that of her many sisters and cousins. No, there was too much at risk for him to stop now. And, on the plus side, Evangelina had seen their assailants. Without her, he would never know who to enact revenge on. Or how.
He pressed on, eventually coming to a T where the paths split to reveal a sizeable tree, with the racetrack just behind it. And, even more fortunate for him, he could see a familiar flash of braids peeking out from behind the oak.
He slowly strode out towards the tree, hopefully baiting their attackers to follow their target out into the open. He dropped into a crouch as he approached the trunk, sitting just out of arms reach as he rounded its circumference. And there sat Evangelina, head buried in her hands and sobbing quietly. Not wanting to startle her, he reached out to put a hand on top of her head. He took the index finger of his free hand and placed it against his lips, a silent miming of the classic Shhh. There he bent down even further in his crouch and scanned the earth for any signs of....Aha! He took his hand away from his mouth and scooped up a handful of acorns off the ground, carefully minimizing any rustling so as not to announce his plans to the assailants he hoped had pursued them. He reached out to drop some in Evangelina's hands and, with a sly grin, pointed towards the top of the tree in a silent dare.
It was time for the hunters to become the hunted.
He'd forgotten how fast little children could run.
One moment he had Evangelina within his sights; the next, she was gone, a wriggling minnow that had slipped away into the stream of people. He forced himself to quicken his pace, cursing his short stature all the way as he struggled to keep up with the child.
Unfortunately, Nikos did not share the slim, thin frame of childhood that Evangelina currently wore. He had to shoulder his way through the streets simply to stay in what he thought could be her wake.
Really, it was quite a lot of work for a grown man to pursue anyone in this fashion, let alone a child, but his hands were tied; if he did not seek out and comfort the girl, he risked tearing down the meticulously-manicured reputation as a charming bachelor that he'd constructed, and there was no way he would allow one crying child to share her misfortune (and his lack of action) with that of her many sisters and cousins. No, there was too much at risk for him to stop now. And, on the plus side, Evangelina had seen their assailants. Without her, he would never know who to enact revenge on. Or how.
He pressed on, eventually coming to a T where the paths split to reveal a sizeable tree, with the racetrack just behind it. And, even more fortunate for him, he could see a familiar flash of braids peeking out from behind the oak.
He slowly strode out towards the tree, hopefully baiting their attackers to follow their target out into the open. He dropped into a crouch as he approached the trunk, sitting just out of arms reach as he rounded its circumference. And there sat Evangelina, head buried in her hands and sobbing quietly. Not wanting to startle her, he reached out to put a hand on top of her head. He took the index finger of his free hand and placed it against his lips, a silent miming of the classic Shhh. There he bent down even further in his crouch and scanned the earth for any signs of....Aha! He took his hand away from his mouth and scooped up a handful of acorns off the ground, carefully minimizing any rustling so as not to announce his plans to the assailants he hoped had pursued them. He reached out to drop some in Evangelina's hands and, with a sly grin, pointed towards the top of the tree in a silent dare.
It was time for the hunters to become the hunted.
Nikos & Evangelina
It was incredibly interesting how running away from someone was interrupted as, ‘Follow Me’; however, Evangelina supposed if she’d thought about it long enough she could find something about it that would make that interpretation seem logical. She sucked in a ragged breath as she tried to contain her tears. She wasn’t usually this emotional over something like this. It seemed the last several days her usual mercurial temperament was even more mercurial, bouncing between epic highs and bottom of the barrel lows. Maybe it was the spring weather or the Gods were toying with her.
She heard him before he stopped near her but didn’t acknowledge his presence. Why had he followed her? He reached down and touched her head. Flicking her red-rimmed dark eyes upwards at him, his free hand reached up to indicate her not to say anything. She blinked in confusion at him. Was he mad and out of his head?
He bent even further in his crouch searching the ground. Her gaze switched back and forth between him and the ground and she felt her legs tuck a little closer up to her. What was he doing? He scooped up some acorns one at a time and then dropped a couple of them in her hand.
The pint-sized Leventi had stopped crying as confusion overtook her. A sly, wolfish grin appeared on his lips and he gave a small motion upwards at the tree. Her eyes followed the motion he’d made up the tree. He wanted her to go up in the tree with the acorns to throw them at their assailants. She stared at the top of the tree… it was awfully high and she didn’t have a fantastic record of being graceful. Her teeth gnawed on her lower lip in thought. It would be nice to give that Lord Achilleas a taste of his own medicine though… he’d drawn that line in the sand with her perhaps he should find out what happens when you cross a Leventi.
Dragging herself to her feet, her hands on her hips she surveyed it a little closer. There was definitely maybe a chance that she was going to fall out of the tree and hurt herself, but… She chewed on her bottom lip some more. Evie sure was no quitter either and that pompous Lord Achilleas had it coming. Turning her back Nikos, she stepped closer to the trunk of the tree. She was going to need a boost up to that first branch.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Nikos & Evangelina
It was incredibly interesting how running away from someone was interrupted as, ‘Follow Me’; however, Evangelina supposed if she’d thought about it long enough she could find something about it that would make that interpretation seem logical. She sucked in a ragged breath as she tried to contain her tears. She wasn’t usually this emotional over something like this. It seemed the last several days her usual mercurial temperament was even more mercurial, bouncing between epic highs and bottom of the barrel lows. Maybe it was the spring weather or the Gods were toying with her.
She heard him before he stopped near her but didn’t acknowledge his presence. Why had he followed her? He reached down and touched her head. Flicking her red-rimmed dark eyes upwards at him, his free hand reached up to indicate her not to say anything. She blinked in confusion at him. Was he mad and out of his head?
He bent even further in his crouch searching the ground. Her gaze switched back and forth between him and the ground and she felt her legs tuck a little closer up to her. What was he doing? He scooped up some acorns one at a time and then dropped a couple of them in her hand.
The pint-sized Leventi had stopped crying as confusion overtook her. A sly, wolfish grin appeared on his lips and he gave a small motion upwards at the tree. Her eyes followed the motion he’d made up the tree. He wanted her to go up in the tree with the acorns to throw them at their assailants. She stared at the top of the tree… it was awfully high and she didn’t have a fantastic record of being graceful. Her teeth gnawed on her lower lip in thought. It would be nice to give that Lord Achilleas a taste of his own medicine though… he’d drawn that line in the sand with her perhaps he should find out what happens when you cross a Leventi.
Dragging herself to her feet, her hands on her hips she surveyed it a little closer. There was definitely maybe a chance that she was going to fall out of the tree and hurt herself, but… She chewed on her bottom lip some more. Evie sure was no quitter either and that pompous Lord Achilleas had it coming. Turning her back Nikos, she stepped closer to the trunk of the tree. She was going to need a boost up to that first branch.
Nikos & Evangelina
It was incredibly interesting how running away from someone was interrupted as, ‘Follow Me’; however, Evangelina supposed if she’d thought about it long enough she could find something about it that would make that interpretation seem logical. She sucked in a ragged breath as she tried to contain her tears. She wasn’t usually this emotional over something like this. It seemed the last several days her usual mercurial temperament was even more mercurial, bouncing between epic highs and bottom of the barrel lows. Maybe it was the spring weather or the Gods were toying with her.
She heard him before he stopped near her but didn’t acknowledge his presence. Why had he followed her? He reached down and touched her head. Flicking her red-rimmed dark eyes upwards at him, his free hand reached up to indicate her not to say anything. She blinked in confusion at him. Was he mad and out of his head?
He bent even further in his crouch searching the ground. Her gaze switched back and forth between him and the ground and she felt her legs tuck a little closer up to her. What was he doing? He scooped up some acorns one at a time and then dropped a couple of them in her hand.
The pint-sized Leventi had stopped crying as confusion overtook her. A sly, wolfish grin appeared on his lips and he gave a small motion upwards at the tree. Her eyes followed the motion he’d made up the tree. He wanted her to go up in the tree with the acorns to throw them at their assailants. She stared at the top of the tree… it was awfully high and she didn’t have a fantastic record of being graceful. Her teeth gnawed on her lower lip in thought. It would be nice to give that Lord Achilleas a taste of his own medicine though… he’d drawn that line in the sand with her perhaps he should find out what happens when you cross a Leventi.
Dragging herself to her feet, her hands on her hips she surveyed it a little closer. There was definitely maybe a chance that she was going to fall out of the tree and hurt herself, but… She chewed on her bottom lip some more. Evie sure was no quitter either and that pompous Lord Achilleas had it coming. Turning her back Nikos, she stepped closer to the trunk of the tree. She was going to need a boost up to that first branch.
Selene was has no desire to be in the woman’s race.
Her mother had been excited for her daughter to show off her skills among the other female riders. But the last thing she wanted to do was compete in a race that wholly lacked skill. She knew she was the best rider on the island, and would have argued that she was the finest rider in all of Greece. But how could she show that if she was just placed among the woman.
She knew she was better.
But she humored her mother, letting her spend the whole day under the assumption that she had every intention of racing with the other woman. She needed to look her best, as usual, so she allowed her maid to curl and set an intricate and stylish braid that would stay in place as she rode. Her chiton was the color of the amethyst stones, the small jewels sewn and embedded under her bust. The split skirts darkened as they went down, the bottom so dark it was almost black in color. Refusing any additional jewels, she allowed her cuff to be set on her wrist before she headed down to join her family.
She let the girls talk, her mind trailing off into her plan. And if she was going to race, she would have to vanish as soon as they arrived. The moment the carriage arrive, Selene allow her sisters the rare moment to shine. She disappeared, meeting her maid away from the crowds. A dark cloak was settled around her shoulders, the hood pulled up to cover her telltale blonde hair.
Selene had even chose one of the stallions from the stables that wasn’t her normal mare, so not to reveal her plan. After all, she didn’t wish for her father to know that she had no intention of racing with the other women. She would shine among the men, and perhaps the crown prince would finally notice her to the point of a proposal. She would be a Queen, as she was destined to be.
She tried not to make it obvious as she moved to the line of horses. It felt a little wrong to be sneaking around, when she loved to be the center of attention. But she wanted to be in the race with the men. She wanted to see if she was good enough (not that she didn’t know it already), but she wanted proof that she was the best rider. This was her island, this was her home. And she would prove to the prince that she was worthy of being Queen. That she was worth showing off.
She hung back, waiting for the other men to take their mounts before she stepped up to her own.
’Let the race begin’ She thought as she took to the white stallion she’d chosen for today.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Selene was has no desire to be in the woman’s race.
Her mother had been excited for her daughter to show off her skills among the other female riders. But the last thing she wanted to do was compete in a race that wholly lacked skill. She knew she was the best rider on the island, and would have argued that she was the finest rider in all of Greece. But how could she show that if she was just placed among the woman.
She knew she was better.
But she humored her mother, letting her spend the whole day under the assumption that she had every intention of racing with the other woman. She needed to look her best, as usual, so she allowed her maid to curl and set an intricate and stylish braid that would stay in place as she rode. Her chiton was the color of the amethyst stones, the small jewels sewn and embedded under her bust. The split skirts darkened as they went down, the bottom so dark it was almost black in color. Refusing any additional jewels, she allowed her cuff to be set on her wrist before she headed down to join her family.
She let the girls talk, her mind trailing off into her plan. And if she was going to race, she would have to vanish as soon as they arrived. The moment the carriage arrive, Selene allow her sisters the rare moment to shine. She disappeared, meeting her maid away from the crowds. A dark cloak was settled around her shoulders, the hood pulled up to cover her telltale blonde hair.
Selene had even chose one of the stallions from the stables that wasn’t her normal mare, so not to reveal her plan. After all, she didn’t wish for her father to know that she had no intention of racing with the other women. She would shine among the men, and perhaps the crown prince would finally notice her to the point of a proposal. She would be a Queen, as she was destined to be.
She tried not to make it obvious as she moved to the line of horses. It felt a little wrong to be sneaking around, when she loved to be the center of attention. But she wanted to be in the race with the men. She wanted to see if she was good enough (not that she didn’t know it already), but she wanted proof that she was the best rider. This was her island, this was her home. And she would prove to the prince that she was worthy of being Queen. That she was worth showing off.
She hung back, waiting for the other men to take their mounts before she stepped up to her own.
’Let the race begin’ She thought as she took to the white stallion she’d chosen for today.
Selene was has no desire to be in the woman’s race.
Her mother had been excited for her daughter to show off her skills among the other female riders. But the last thing she wanted to do was compete in a race that wholly lacked skill. She knew she was the best rider on the island, and would have argued that she was the finest rider in all of Greece. But how could she show that if she was just placed among the woman.
She knew she was better.
But she humored her mother, letting her spend the whole day under the assumption that she had every intention of racing with the other woman. She needed to look her best, as usual, so she allowed her maid to curl and set an intricate and stylish braid that would stay in place as she rode. Her chiton was the color of the amethyst stones, the small jewels sewn and embedded under her bust. The split skirts darkened as they went down, the bottom so dark it was almost black in color. Refusing any additional jewels, she allowed her cuff to be set on her wrist before she headed down to join her family.
She let the girls talk, her mind trailing off into her plan. And if she was going to race, she would have to vanish as soon as they arrived. The moment the carriage arrive, Selene allow her sisters the rare moment to shine. She disappeared, meeting her maid away from the crowds. A dark cloak was settled around her shoulders, the hood pulled up to cover her telltale blonde hair.
Selene had even chose one of the stallions from the stables that wasn’t her normal mare, so not to reveal her plan. After all, she didn’t wish for her father to know that she had no intention of racing with the other women. She would shine among the men, and perhaps the crown prince would finally notice her to the point of a proposal. She would be a Queen, as she was destined to be.
She tried not to make it obvious as she moved to the line of horses. It felt a little wrong to be sneaking around, when she loved to be the center of attention. But she wanted to be in the race with the men. She wanted to see if she was good enough (not that she didn’t know it already), but she wanted proof that she was the best rider. This was her island, this was her home. And she would prove to the prince that she was worthy of being Queen. That she was worth showing off.
She hung back, waiting for the other men to take their mounts before she stepped up to her own.
’Let the race begin’ She thought as she took to the white stallion she’d chosen for today.
As the general crowd and public moved towards the beachlands where the race was to be held, Fotios walked among them as if he were no more than a common merchant. His stride was long and confident, but his stature was one of diminished importance as he moved to find a spot where he could witness the race upon his own feet rather than in the ornate wooden staging area that had been constructed for the event. There was where the mothers and fathers, younger siblings and relations of the noble racers would place themselves, with the best view of the starting line that was also the finish. For his own placement, he simply chose a position on the sand dunes, standing a little alone and apart from both common and noble born. Here, he would be able to see the main body of the race. Which was all an exceptional horseman like himself needed in order to know exactly who would cross that finish line first.
Races were not determined in the last furlong before the final line of fate. They were decided by the skill of the rider. Hardly something that could be hidden in the race prior.
Watching the animals and their handlers closely, Fotios was quickly to spoke multiple faces of the nobility joining the ranks amongst those who had found entry despite being common born. He was mildly surprised to witness the Prince Zacharias as part of the starting line, but not at all shocked that his niece the Lady Selene had opted to participant, instead of riding beside other women.
Whilst others of his generation and even family might have despaired at the young woman racing so, Fotios was not one of them. The girl was an accomplished rider - far more so than most of the men he could see in the crowd of two dozen or so that were racing. She would be more than safe in the race for she would be one of its leaders, he was confident. And there were certain men within the group who might appreciate the strength of a capable woman - especially on horseback, given their culture. At least as many as whom would deem it unsightly.
When one of the servants at the line raised a hand to signal that all riders were present and accounted for, Fotios descended the sand dunes, meeting his brother half way towards the competitors. As baron of the land and head of the hosting House, it was their duty to ensure fair play. Which meant inspecting the riders and the horses quickly before the race to ensure that no-one was carrying any unfair whips, weapons or additional traps that other racers might fall into.
The two brothers worked from opposite ends of the line, intent on meeting in the middle. It was more luck then judgement that had Fotios checking over the half of the line that including his niece and the crown prince.
Moving along, Fotios checked the mouths and bridles of the horses, ensuring no painful bits were used, or studs upon the inside of the leather straps - a trick used to strengthen the friction on the hold and cause the horse to fight harder for release - thereby running faster. He also was expected to check each saddle, his fingertips seeking beneath the strips of leather to check for hidden weapons.
The entire process was more for tradition and ceremony than anything else. Slaves would have checked the horses when they were brought into line and more so would have inspected the riders when they claim to mount their steeds. Having the head of House and baron of Macendia inspect them was more for show to confirm that such fairness had been assured.
Upon reaching the crown prince's gelding, Fotios was polite as he went about the checks, doing nothing to annoy the heir to the throne, as he completed the same exact actions that he had for everyone else.
Next to him was a young and handsome man upon a mare. Not knowing - nor caring - who the rider was, Fotios was instead more speculative of the animal.
Whilst slaves might not have noticed the tell-tale jitteriness, the distracted way in which she looked to and fro and the lift in her tail... an experienced horse breeder, rider and seller like Fotios was instantly aware of the condition she was in.
The handsome, young man - whoever he was - was trying to cheat.
Tempted to act upon this information and disqualify the man from the contest, Fotios glanced to one side to find inform the servant performing the role of announcement but, in doing so, caught sight of his niece... riding a stallion.
An idea springing to mind, Fotios said nothing of the mare in heat and continued down the line as he was required, finally coming to Selene and her mount. He checked over the equipment as he had every other rider and then took hold of the headpiece of the horse.
"If you don't want me to have your father remove you from competition, be quiet." He spoke to Selene, clearly with an intention behind his words. He then pulled upon the headpiece and led the stallion out of the line-up, encouraging him down the line towards the other end and back down closer to the crown prince.
Negotiating the stallion into his new position between Prince Zacharias and the cheating blonde, Fotios had exercises his right to enforce where everyone stood at the start of the race to ensure a fair start.
"Apologies, my Prince." Fotios said calmly, watching how the mare seemed to take notice of the unneutered animal now beside her. Whilst his niece was an experienced rider, she had yet to take part in the breeding process of the Leventi family. Her studies had not yet progressed to that of the business and he suspected she would not notice the cause of any odd behaviour in the mare.
"But while we would never ask you to throw the race, my brother and I would feel more comfortable to know our Lady here was under your watchful eye today." He said, by way of explaining the change of position.
Before the man could respond or refuse, Fotios bowed low and then excused himself from the ceremony, having completed his half of the riders.
Without pomp or circumstance, Fotios returned to his previous spot on the dunes, where he could stand with arms folded and survey how the following race was due to proceed. He waited only a few minutes before the announcer stepped forward with a long and twisted horn to declare the race begun.
With a single, low note, the competitors set off across the sands. Their target was as large buoy, with a set pinnacle that was affixed to a domed base so that it might rock and find purchase in the sands. In it, was a Leventi flag - the sigil a reminder to all of whose lands they were racing upon. The game was simple. Ride to the opposing end of the beach and circle around the buoy, claiming the flag as you went. You then rode back the way you'd come in order to cross the newly drawn line of salt to replace the starting line that had been marred by many hoofprints. Each horse had been bridled with a small tune affixed to their forehead - making them appear as unicorns in the seaside sunlight. The stem of the flag, once claimed, was to be placed in the tube. The winner was the first to cross the finish line, with the flag in place. Those immediately behind them too second and third place. Those who crossed the finish line ahead of the flag holder were disqualified entirely.
There were many ways to play the game. Be the first to the buoy and snag the flag, then try to maintain your lead. Ride calmer, reserve your animal's strength, allow someone else to take the flag and then claim it from them on the ride back as your horse could run faster. Ride flat out, ignore the flag entirely and maintain your lead until you where the obstacle to be passed before the finish line could be met. Many different options and challenges with which to steer your steed to victory.
Not that Fotios wasn't at least a little confident of certain future events in this particular race... Afterall, a good gambler never relied on undoctored odds...
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
As the general crowd and public moved towards the beachlands where the race was to be held, Fotios walked among them as if he were no more than a common merchant. His stride was long and confident, but his stature was one of diminished importance as he moved to find a spot where he could witness the race upon his own feet rather than in the ornate wooden staging area that had been constructed for the event. There was where the mothers and fathers, younger siblings and relations of the noble racers would place themselves, with the best view of the starting line that was also the finish. For his own placement, he simply chose a position on the sand dunes, standing a little alone and apart from both common and noble born. Here, he would be able to see the main body of the race. Which was all an exceptional horseman like himself needed in order to know exactly who would cross that finish line first.
Races were not determined in the last furlong before the final line of fate. They were decided by the skill of the rider. Hardly something that could be hidden in the race prior.
Watching the animals and their handlers closely, Fotios was quickly to spoke multiple faces of the nobility joining the ranks amongst those who had found entry despite being common born. He was mildly surprised to witness the Prince Zacharias as part of the starting line, but not at all shocked that his niece the Lady Selene had opted to participant, instead of riding beside other women.
Whilst others of his generation and even family might have despaired at the young woman racing so, Fotios was not one of them. The girl was an accomplished rider - far more so than most of the men he could see in the crowd of two dozen or so that were racing. She would be more than safe in the race for she would be one of its leaders, he was confident. And there were certain men within the group who might appreciate the strength of a capable woman - especially on horseback, given their culture. At least as many as whom would deem it unsightly.
When one of the servants at the line raised a hand to signal that all riders were present and accounted for, Fotios descended the sand dunes, meeting his brother half way towards the competitors. As baron of the land and head of the hosting House, it was their duty to ensure fair play. Which meant inspecting the riders and the horses quickly before the race to ensure that no-one was carrying any unfair whips, weapons or additional traps that other racers might fall into.
The two brothers worked from opposite ends of the line, intent on meeting in the middle. It was more luck then judgement that had Fotios checking over the half of the line that including his niece and the crown prince.
Moving along, Fotios checked the mouths and bridles of the horses, ensuring no painful bits were used, or studs upon the inside of the leather straps - a trick used to strengthen the friction on the hold and cause the horse to fight harder for release - thereby running faster. He also was expected to check each saddle, his fingertips seeking beneath the strips of leather to check for hidden weapons.
The entire process was more for tradition and ceremony than anything else. Slaves would have checked the horses when they were brought into line and more so would have inspected the riders when they claim to mount their steeds. Having the head of House and baron of Macendia inspect them was more for show to confirm that such fairness had been assured.
Upon reaching the crown prince's gelding, Fotios was polite as he went about the checks, doing nothing to annoy the heir to the throne, as he completed the same exact actions that he had for everyone else.
Next to him was a young and handsome man upon a mare. Not knowing - nor caring - who the rider was, Fotios was instead more speculative of the animal.
Whilst slaves might not have noticed the tell-tale jitteriness, the distracted way in which she looked to and fro and the lift in her tail... an experienced horse breeder, rider and seller like Fotios was instantly aware of the condition she was in.
The handsome, young man - whoever he was - was trying to cheat.
Tempted to act upon this information and disqualify the man from the contest, Fotios glanced to one side to find inform the servant performing the role of announcement but, in doing so, caught sight of his niece... riding a stallion.
An idea springing to mind, Fotios said nothing of the mare in heat and continued down the line as he was required, finally coming to Selene and her mount. He checked over the equipment as he had every other rider and then took hold of the headpiece of the horse.
"If you don't want me to have your father remove you from competition, be quiet." He spoke to Selene, clearly with an intention behind his words. He then pulled upon the headpiece and led the stallion out of the line-up, encouraging him down the line towards the other end and back down closer to the crown prince.
Negotiating the stallion into his new position between Prince Zacharias and the cheating blonde, Fotios had exercises his right to enforce where everyone stood at the start of the race to ensure a fair start.
"Apologies, my Prince." Fotios said calmly, watching how the mare seemed to take notice of the unneutered animal now beside her. Whilst his niece was an experienced rider, she had yet to take part in the breeding process of the Leventi family. Her studies had not yet progressed to that of the business and he suspected she would not notice the cause of any odd behaviour in the mare.
"But while we would never ask you to throw the race, my brother and I would feel more comfortable to know our Lady here was under your watchful eye today." He said, by way of explaining the change of position.
Before the man could respond or refuse, Fotios bowed low and then excused himself from the ceremony, having completed his half of the riders.
Without pomp or circumstance, Fotios returned to his previous spot on the dunes, where he could stand with arms folded and survey how the following race was due to proceed. He waited only a few minutes before the announcer stepped forward with a long and twisted horn to declare the race begun.
With a single, low note, the competitors set off across the sands. Their target was as large buoy, with a set pinnacle that was affixed to a domed base so that it might rock and find purchase in the sands. In it, was a Leventi flag - the sigil a reminder to all of whose lands they were racing upon. The game was simple. Ride to the opposing end of the beach and circle around the buoy, claiming the flag as you went. You then rode back the way you'd come in order to cross the newly drawn line of salt to replace the starting line that had been marred by many hoofprints. Each horse had been bridled with a small tune affixed to their forehead - making them appear as unicorns in the seaside sunlight. The stem of the flag, once claimed, was to be placed in the tube. The winner was the first to cross the finish line, with the flag in place. Those immediately behind them too second and third place. Those who crossed the finish line ahead of the flag holder were disqualified entirely.
There were many ways to play the game. Be the first to the buoy and snag the flag, then try to maintain your lead. Ride calmer, reserve your animal's strength, allow someone else to take the flag and then claim it from them on the ride back as your horse could run faster. Ride flat out, ignore the flag entirely and maintain your lead until you where the obstacle to be passed before the finish line could be met. Many different options and challenges with which to steer your steed to victory.
Not that Fotios wasn't at least a little confident of certain future events in this particular race... Afterall, a good gambler never relied on undoctored odds...
As the general crowd and public moved towards the beachlands where the race was to be held, Fotios walked among them as if he were no more than a common merchant. His stride was long and confident, but his stature was one of diminished importance as he moved to find a spot where he could witness the race upon his own feet rather than in the ornate wooden staging area that had been constructed for the event. There was where the mothers and fathers, younger siblings and relations of the noble racers would place themselves, with the best view of the starting line that was also the finish. For his own placement, he simply chose a position on the sand dunes, standing a little alone and apart from both common and noble born. Here, he would be able to see the main body of the race. Which was all an exceptional horseman like himself needed in order to know exactly who would cross that finish line first.
Races were not determined in the last furlong before the final line of fate. They were decided by the skill of the rider. Hardly something that could be hidden in the race prior.
Watching the animals and their handlers closely, Fotios was quickly to spoke multiple faces of the nobility joining the ranks amongst those who had found entry despite being common born. He was mildly surprised to witness the Prince Zacharias as part of the starting line, but not at all shocked that his niece the Lady Selene had opted to participant, instead of riding beside other women.
Whilst others of his generation and even family might have despaired at the young woman racing so, Fotios was not one of them. The girl was an accomplished rider - far more so than most of the men he could see in the crowd of two dozen or so that were racing. She would be more than safe in the race for she would be one of its leaders, he was confident. And there were certain men within the group who might appreciate the strength of a capable woman - especially on horseback, given their culture. At least as many as whom would deem it unsightly.
When one of the servants at the line raised a hand to signal that all riders were present and accounted for, Fotios descended the sand dunes, meeting his brother half way towards the competitors. As baron of the land and head of the hosting House, it was their duty to ensure fair play. Which meant inspecting the riders and the horses quickly before the race to ensure that no-one was carrying any unfair whips, weapons or additional traps that other racers might fall into.
The two brothers worked from opposite ends of the line, intent on meeting in the middle. It was more luck then judgement that had Fotios checking over the half of the line that including his niece and the crown prince.
Moving along, Fotios checked the mouths and bridles of the horses, ensuring no painful bits were used, or studs upon the inside of the leather straps - a trick used to strengthen the friction on the hold and cause the horse to fight harder for release - thereby running faster. He also was expected to check each saddle, his fingertips seeking beneath the strips of leather to check for hidden weapons.
The entire process was more for tradition and ceremony than anything else. Slaves would have checked the horses when they were brought into line and more so would have inspected the riders when they claim to mount their steeds. Having the head of House and baron of Macendia inspect them was more for show to confirm that such fairness had been assured.
Upon reaching the crown prince's gelding, Fotios was polite as he went about the checks, doing nothing to annoy the heir to the throne, as he completed the same exact actions that he had for everyone else.
Next to him was a young and handsome man upon a mare. Not knowing - nor caring - who the rider was, Fotios was instead more speculative of the animal.
Whilst slaves might not have noticed the tell-tale jitteriness, the distracted way in which she looked to and fro and the lift in her tail... an experienced horse breeder, rider and seller like Fotios was instantly aware of the condition she was in.
The handsome, young man - whoever he was - was trying to cheat.
Tempted to act upon this information and disqualify the man from the contest, Fotios glanced to one side to find inform the servant performing the role of announcement but, in doing so, caught sight of his niece... riding a stallion.
An idea springing to mind, Fotios said nothing of the mare in heat and continued down the line as he was required, finally coming to Selene and her mount. He checked over the equipment as he had every other rider and then took hold of the headpiece of the horse.
"If you don't want me to have your father remove you from competition, be quiet." He spoke to Selene, clearly with an intention behind his words. He then pulled upon the headpiece and led the stallion out of the line-up, encouraging him down the line towards the other end and back down closer to the crown prince.
Negotiating the stallion into his new position between Prince Zacharias and the cheating blonde, Fotios had exercises his right to enforce where everyone stood at the start of the race to ensure a fair start.
"Apologies, my Prince." Fotios said calmly, watching how the mare seemed to take notice of the unneutered animal now beside her. Whilst his niece was an experienced rider, she had yet to take part in the breeding process of the Leventi family. Her studies had not yet progressed to that of the business and he suspected she would not notice the cause of any odd behaviour in the mare.
"But while we would never ask you to throw the race, my brother and I would feel more comfortable to know our Lady here was under your watchful eye today." He said, by way of explaining the change of position.
Before the man could respond or refuse, Fotios bowed low and then excused himself from the ceremony, having completed his half of the riders.
Without pomp or circumstance, Fotios returned to his previous spot on the dunes, where he could stand with arms folded and survey how the following race was due to proceed. He waited only a few minutes before the announcer stepped forward with a long and twisted horn to declare the race begun.
With a single, low note, the competitors set off across the sands. Their target was as large buoy, with a set pinnacle that was affixed to a domed base so that it might rock and find purchase in the sands. In it, was a Leventi flag - the sigil a reminder to all of whose lands they were racing upon. The game was simple. Ride to the opposing end of the beach and circle around the buoy, claiming the flag as you went. You then rode back the way you'd come in order to cross the newly drawn line of salt to replace the starting line that had been marred by many hoofprints. Each horse had been bridled with a small tune affixed to their forehead - making them appear as unicorns in the seaside sunlight. The stem of the flag, once claimed, was to be placed in the tube. The winner was the first to cross the finish line, with the flag in place. Those immediately behind them too second and third place. Those who crossed the finish line ahead of the flag holder were disqualified entirely.
There were many ways to play the game. Be the first to the buoy and snag the flag, then try to maintain your lead. Ride calmer, reserve your animal's strength, allow someone else to take the flag and then claim it from them on the ride back as your horse could run faster. Ride flat out, ignore the flag entirely and maintain your lead until you where the obstacle to be passed before the finish line could be met. Many different options and challenges with which to steer your steed to victory.
Not that Fotios wasn't at least a little confident of certain future events in this particular race... Afterall, a good gambler never relied on undoctored odds...
Curveball A Borrowed Freedom
The Macendian horse race begins! Remember, everyone - like with previous races (such as the Chariots of Fire event) competitors and spectators can post shorter action/reaction posts in order to parry back and forth in the race.
Rules Are:
All in-play competitors must have posted twice for the first leg of the race (start line to buoy) before the second leg can be written.
Once captured, the flag must be immediately placed in the horse's head-hold and not touched again by the rider. If someone is reaching to snag it from you, change how you are riding - you can't touch the flag to keep it out of their reach.
You do not have to run in only one direction. If you are ahead of the flag or need to make a manoeuvre to avoid losing it, you can run anywhere you like on the beach, so long as you don't touch the sea or the dunes.
JD
Staff Team
JD
Staff Team
This post was created by our staff team.
Please contact us with your queries and questions.
The Macendian horse race begins! Remember, everyone - like with previous races (such as the Chariots of Fire event) competitors and spectators can post shorter action/reaction posts in order to parry back and forth in the race.
Rules Are:
All in-play competitors must have posted twice for the first leg of the race (start line to buoy) before the second leg can be written.
Once captured, the flag must be immediately placed in the horse's head-hold and not touched again by the rider. If someone is reaching to snag it from you, change how you are riding - you can't touch the flag to keep it out of their reach.
You do not have to run in only one direction. If you are ahead of the flag or need to make a manoeuvre to avoid losing it, you can run anywhere you like on the beach, so long as you don't touch the sea or the dunes.
Curveball A Borrowed Freedom
The Macendian horse race begins! Remember, everyone - like with previous races (such as the Chariots of Fire event) competitors and spectators can post shorter action/reaction posts in order to parry back and forth in the race.
Rules Are:
All in-play competitors must have posted twice for the first leg of the race (start line to buoy) before the second leg can be written.
Once captured, the flag must be immediately placed in the horse's head-hold and not touched again by the rider. If someone is reaching to snag it from you, change how you are riding - you can't touch the flag to keep it out of their reach.
You do not have to run in only one direction. If you are ahead of the flag or need to make a manoeuvre to avoid losing it, you can run anywhere you like on the beach, so long as you don't touch the sea or the dunes.
Hesiodos patted the mare with a sly smirk, sure of his imminent victory. It was not the most honorable thing, but he wasn’t the kind of man to stop doing unsavory things to for victory. Luck favors the bold, or so they said, and the Bard of Phossis made sure to be as bold as it was possible. Considering he hasn’t gotten killed yet, that was a testament of both his luck and boldness.
He turned when someone addressed him. A noble, he realized, and one that wanted to participate in the race, “That I am, my Lord”, he said with a smile that suggested he owned the place, “We’ll see about that. Best of lucks, though!”, he saw someone else get into the line – a woman. This was odd, he thought, didn’t women have their own category on this? But he didn’t dwell on it too much, because if they allowed her to compete, he wasn’t anybody to protest.
He got into the horse, only to see another lord checking on the horses. Damn, he thought… they already checked them before they got into the line, and it didn’t cross his mind that they would check them again. So he used all his Thespian abilities to make it seem like everything was under control… and it seemed to work, right up until he realized the woman, riding an stallion, was placed at his side.
He took a deep breath and frowned, as the horse became more jittery under him. For most, this would have been a foiled plan, but for him, this was just a minor setback – one he was sure to get over. He meant to win, one way or another, and just because they cheated him when he was intended to cheat himself was not going to stop him.
Hesiodos needed a harder, firmed hand to control the mare. Grunting in frustration, he got to the line, ready for the signal like everyone else. His green eyes were set on the buoy at the distance. He was clear on the rules… he had the agility and ability to accomplish the task, and also to snatch the flag if needed. But he realized his game plan had to change… he metalized himself that he had to be far away from the other horses, because he wasn’t aware which others may be stallions as well.
Then, the race began.
The bard set the mare in motion, but it refused to cooperate, being fixated on the stallion at her side. Hesiodos clenched his teeth and pulled on the reins like he pulled the hair of a lover, but by then, the others already had an advantage. Saying a loud curse, he pulled the reins again and kicked, and the mare decided to cooperate and go onto the race. Again, this was merely a setback, but he meant to win.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Hesiodos patted the mare with a sly smirk, sure of his imminent victory. It was not the most honorable thing, but he wasn’t the kind of man to stop doing unsavory things to for victory. Luck favors the bold, or so they said, and the Bard of Phossis made sure to be as bold as it was possible. Considering he hasn’t gotten killed yet, that was a testament of both his luck and boldness.
He turned when someone addressed him. A noble, he realized, and one that wanted to participate in the race, “That I am, my Lord”, he said with a smile that suggested he owned the place, “We’ll see about that. Best of lucks, though!”, he saw someone else get into the line – a woman. This was odd, he thought, didn’t women have their own category on this? But he didn’t dwell on it too much, because if they allowed her to compete, he wasn’t anybody to protest.
He got into the horse, only to see another lord checking on the horses. Damn, he thought… they already checked them before they got into the line, and it didn’t cross his mind that they would check them again. So he used all his Thespian abilities to make it seem like everything was under control… and it seemed to work, right up until he realized the woman, riding an stallion, was placed at his side.
He took a deep breath and frowned, as the horse became more jittery under him. For most, this would have been a foiled plan, but for him, this was just a minor setback – one he was sure to get over. He meant to win, one way or another, and just because they cheated him when he was intended to cheat himself was not going to stop him.
Hesiodos needed a harder, firmed hand to control the mare. Grunting in frustration, he got to the line, ready for the signal like everyone else. His green eyes were set on the buoy at the distance. He was clear on the rules… he had the agility and ability to accomplish the task, and also to snatch the flag if needed. But he realized his game plan had to change… he metalized himself that he had to be far away from the other horses, because he wasn’t aware which others may be stallions as well.
Then, the race began.
The bard set the mare in motion, but it refused to cooperate, being fixated on the stallion at her side. Hesiodos clenched his teeth and pulled on the reins like he pulled the hair of a lover, but by then, the others already had an advantage. Saying a loud curse, he pulled the reins again and kicked, and the mare decided to cooperate and go onto the race. Again, this was merely a setback, but he meant to win.
Hesiodos patted the mare with a sly smirk, sure of his imminent victory. It was not the most honorable thing, but he wasn’t the kind of man to stop doing unsavory things to for victory. Luck favors the bold, or so they said, and the Bard of Phossis made sure to be as bold as it was possible. Considering he hasn’t gotten killed yet, that was a testament of both his luck and boldness.
He turned when someone addressed him. A noble, he realized, and one that wanted to participate in the race, “That I am, my Lord”, he said with a smile that suggested he owned the place, “We’ll see about that. Best of lucks, though!”, he saw someone else get into the line – a woman. This was odd, he thought, didn’t women have their own category on this? But he didn’t dwell on it too much, because if they allowed her to compete, he wasn’t anybody to protest.
He got into the horse, only to see another lord checking on the horses. Damn, he thought… they already checked them before they got into the line, and it didn’t cross his mind that they would check them again. So he used all his Thespian abilities to make it seem like everything was under control… and it seemed to work, right up until he realized the woman, riding an stallion, was placed at his side.
He took a deep breath and frowned, as the horse became more jittery under him. For most, this would have been a foiled plan, but for him, this was just a minor setback – one he was sure to get over. He meant to win, one way or another, and just because they cheated him when he was intended to cheat himself was not going to stop him.
Hesiodos needed a harder, firmed hand to control the mare. Grunting in frustration, he got to the line, ready for the signal like everyone else. His green eyes were set on the buoy at the distance. He was clear on the rules… he had the agility and ability to accomplish the task, and also to snatch the flag if needed. But he realized his game plan had to change… he metalized himself that he had to be far away from the other horses, because he wasn’t aware which others may be stallions as well.
Then, the race began.
The bard set the mare in motion, but it refused to cooperate, being fixated on the stallion at her side. Hesiodos clenched his teeth and pulled on the reins like he pulled the hair of a lover, but by then, the others already had an advantage. Saying a loud curse, he pulled the reins again and kicked, and the mare decided to cooperate and go onto the race. Again, this was merely a setback, but he meant to win.
Prince Zacharias did not make further conversation with Hesiodos but he did give one more side glance at the man. The bard’s perfect profile was hard to ignore and while he knew that he could stare at the other man for the rest of the day, he chose not to and instead looked to his other side, far down the line, where Lady Selene sat astride her own horse. Like her uncle, the prince was also not surprised that she was here, though his minimal vanity said that she was here in order to impress herself to him, rather than that she might want to win the race for her own merit. Zacharias wasn’t an idiot. He knew that he was her aim, though Lady Selene could never be called out for the ambition. She was intelligent enough to be able to hide her motives from the mass populace.
His eyes were drawn ahead to the dunes, where Lord Fotios was striding out to meet his brother in order for them to officiate the beginning ceremony of checking the horses. Zacharias waited, his knuckles white around the reins in his hands as his stallion kept snorting at the bard’s horse, in a clear effort to expose all his internal secret thoughts of the man. The last thing he wanted was his horse to be making this kind of display - the pawing at the ground, the snorting, the tail thrashing, all of it in an effort to get the bard’s mare to notice him. Obviously this gelding was the wrong one to go with today, but this was the fastest one in the royal stables. Geldings seldom acted like idiots around mares, but for whatever reason, his horse did not like the bard’s, or was too interested. Either way, he was not liking how this race was going to turn out, unless his horse intended on winning the race against the one they stood beside at all costs. Like people, horses all had different personalities and could be quite competitive.
Intent with the purpose of keeping his mount under absolute control, Prince Zacharias barely spared a glance for Lord Fotios as the man performed the unnecessary checks. He’d find no contraband of any kind. Hardly one to buck rules, Zacharias didn’t love the ceremony but he would never move to dispense with it. It was tradition; traditions needed to be upheld.
Staring straight ahead, he made it appear that he was the epitome of cool and calm, though most of his energy was being spent keeping his horse both in line and where the best should be. If he didn’t know any better, he’d have thought the bard’s mare was in heat, but that could not be. Lord Fotios, experience horseman that he was, would have said something. Zacharias trusted the lord to know his business and so said nothing, assuming it was his own mount’s trouble.
Movement caught his attention and he watched with a questioning frown as Lord Fotios led Lady Selene’s horse out of line. It was necessary to pull his horse to the side to make room as her horse was stationed between him and the bard. For what reason, Zacharias did not know, but nor did he open his lips to question the change. It didn’t matter overly much to the potential outcome. Lord Fotios could be particular about certain things and he chalked it up to that propensity to have things ‘just so’.
Lord Fotios apologized and Zacharias did nothing more than nod to the lord that he understood. No need to answer verbally what they both already knew; that it didn’t matter how Zacharias felt about it, it’d be done anyway. Until Lord Fotios went on to ask that he watch over Lady Selene. Before he could do more than open his mouth, Lord Fotios bowed and moved away. Drawing in a forbearing breath, Zacharias did his duty and looked over at the beautiful blonde woman to his side and nodded to her.
“Have no fear,” was all he said. The very last thing he wanted to do in this race was to keep a protective eye on Lady Selene but there was no way out of it now and he would never abandon a duty that he’d agreed to do, even if it was forced on him. For a third time, his attention was drawn elsewhere as the horn resounded across the beach, signalling the beginning of the race.
He ground his heels into his gelding’s flanks and the beast sprang forward, even more eager than his rider to tear across the beach. Sand sprayed in all directions and for a horrible, jostling second, Zacharias’s entire world involved soft ground sliding underneath him, the shouts of over a dozen voices, and squinting in order to keep his vision clear. The buoy was straight ahead and flapping in the breeze, was the violet Leventi flag with its dancing unicorn. Zacharias only just remembered his duty and drove his horse toward Selene’s so that they would be mostly side by side. Not throw the race, indeed. How was he to win if he was supposed to be making sure that this woman didn’t have a hair out of place? She was a more than capable rider. She didn’t need his help. However, he could not make himself abandon duty, and so stayed right next to her.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Prince Zacharias did not make further conversation with Hesiodos but he did give one more side glance at the man. The bard’s perfect profile was hard to ignore and while he knew that he could stare at the other man for the rest of the day, he chose not to and instead looked to his other side, far down the line, where Lady Selene sat astride her own horse. Like her uncle, the prince was also not surprised that she was here, though his minimal vanity said that she was here in order to impress herself to him, rather than that she might want to win the race for her own merit. Zacharias wasn’t an idiot. He knew that he was her aim, though Lady Selene could never be called out for the ambition. She was intelligent enough to be able to hide her motives from the mass populace.
His eyes were drawn ahead to the dunes, where Lord Fotios was striding out to meet his brother in order for them to officiate the beginning ceremony of checking the horses. Zacharias waited, his knuckles white around the reins in his hands as his stallion kept snorting at the bard’s horse, in a clear effort to expose all his internal secret thoughts of the man. The last thing he wanted was his horse to be making this kind of display - the pawing at the ground, the snorting, the tail thrashing, all of it in an effort to get the bard’s mare to notice him. Obviously this gelding was the wrong one to go with today, but this was the fastest one in the royal stables. Geldings seldom acted like idiots around mares, but for whatever reason, his horse did not like the bard’s, or was too interested. Either way, he was not liking how this race was going to turn out, unless his horse intended on winning the race against the one they stood beside at all costs. Like people, horses all had different personalities and could be quite competitive.
Intent with the purpose of keeping his mount under absolute control, Prince Zacharias barely spared a glance for Lord Fotios as the man performed the unnecessary checks. He’d find no contraband of any kind. Hardly one to buck rules, Zacharias didn’t love the ceremony but he would never move to dispense with it. It was tradition; traditions needed to be upheld.
Staring straight ahead, he made it appear that he was the epitome of cool and calm, though most of his energy was being spent keeping his horse both in line and where the best should be. If he didn’t know any better, he’d have thought the bard’s mare was in heat, but that could not be. Lord Fotios, experience horseman that he was, would have said something. Zacharias trusted the lord to know his business and so said nothing, assuming it was his own mount’s trouble.
Movement caught his attention and he watched with a questioning frown as Lord Fotios led Lady Selene’s horse out of line. It was necessary to pull his horse to the side to make room as her horse was stationed between him and the bard. For what reason, Zacharias did not know, but nor did he open his lips to question the change. It didn’t matter overly much to the potential outcome. Lord Fotios could be particular about certain things and he chalked it up to that propensity to have things ‘just so’.
Lord Fotios apologized and Zacharias did nothing more than nod to the lord that he understood. No need to answer verbally what they both already knew; that it didn’t matter how Zacharias felt about it, it’d be done anyway. Until Lord Fotios went on to ask that he watch over Lady Selene. Before he could do more than open his mouth, Lord Fotios bowed and moved away. Drawing in a forbearing breath, Zacharias did his duty and looked over at the beautiful blonde woman to his side and nodded to her.
“Have no fear,” was all he said. The very last thing he wanted to do in this race was to keep a protective eye on Lady Selene but there was no way out of it now and he would never abandon a duty that he’d agreed to do, even if it was forced on him. For a third time, his attention was drawn elsewhere as the horn resounded across the beach, signalling the beginning of the race.
He ground his heels into his gelding’s flanks and the beast sprang forward, even more eager than his rider to tear across the beach. Sand sprayed in all directions and for a horrible, jostling second, Zacharias’s entire world involved soft ground sliding underneath him, the shouts of over a dozen voices, and squinting in order to keep his vision clear. The buoy was straight ahead and flapping in the breeze, was the violet Leventi flag with its dancing unicorn. Zacharias only just remembered his duty and drove his horse toward Selene’s so that they would be mostly side by side. Not throw the race, indeed. How was he to win if he was supposed to be making sure that this woman didn’t have a hair out of place? She was a more than capable rider. She didn’t need his help. However, he could not make himself abandon duty, and so stayed right next to her.
Prince Zacharias did not make further conversation with Hesiodos but he did give one more side glance at the man. The bard’s perfect profile was hard to ignore and while he knew that he could stare at the other man for the rest of the day, he chose not to and instead looked to his other side, far down the line, where Lady Selene sat astride her own horse. Like her uncle, the prince was also not surprised that she was here, though his minimal vanity said that she was here in order to impress herself to him, rather than that she might want to win the race for her own merit. Zacharias wasn’t an idiot. He knew that he was her aim, though Lady Selene could never be called out for the ambition. She was intelligent enough to be able to hide her motives from the mass populace.
His eyes were drawn ahead to the dunes, where Lord Fotios was striding out to meet his brother in order for them to officiate the beginning ceremony of checking the horses. Zacharias waited, his knuckles white around the reins in his hands as his stallion kept snorting at the bard’s horse, in a clear effort to expose all his internal secret thoughts of the man. The last thing he wanted was his horse to be making this kind of display - the pawing at the ground, the snorting, the tail thrashing, all of it in an effort to get the bard’s mare to notice him. Obviously this gelding was the wrong one to go with today, but this was the fastest one in the royal stables. Geldings seldom acted like idiots around mares, but for whatever reason, his horse did not like the bard’s, or was too interested. Either way, he was not liking how this race was going to turn out, unless his horse intended on winning the race against the one they stood beside at all costs. Like people, horses all had different personalities and could be quite competitive.
Intent with the purpose of keeping his mount under absolute control, Prince Zacharias barely spared a glance for Lord Fotios as the man performed the unnecessary checks. He’d find no contraband of any kind. Hardly one to buck rules, Zacharias didn’t love the ceremony but he would never move to dispense with it. It was tradition; traditions needed to be upheld.
Staring straight ahead, he made it appear that he was the epitome of cool and calm, though most of his energy was being spent keeping his horse both in line and where the best should be. If he didn’t know any better, he’d have thought the bard’s mare was in heat, but that could not be. Lord Fotios, experience horseman that he was, would have said something. Zacharias trusted the lord to know his business and so said nothing, assuming it was his own mount’s trouble.
Movement caught his attention and he watched with a questioning frown as Lord Fotios led Lady Selene’s horse out of line. It was necessary to pull his horse to the side to make room as her horse was stationed between him and the bard. For what reason, Zacharias did not know, but nor did he open his lips to question the change. It didn’t matter overly much to the potential outcome. Lord Fotios could be particular about certain things and he chalked it up to that propensity to have things ‘just so’.
Lord Fotios apologized and Zacharias did nothing more than nod to the lord that he understood. No need to answer verbally what they both already knew; that it didn’t matter how Zacharias felt about it, it’d be done anyway. Until Lord Fotios went on to ask that he watch over Lady Selene. Before he could do more than open his mouth, Lord Fotios bowed and moved away. Drawing in a forbearing breath, Zacharias did his duty and looked over at the beautiful blonde woman to his side and nodded to her.
“Have no fear,” was all he said. The very last thing he wanted to do in this race was to keep a protective eye on Lady Selene but there was no way out of it now and he would never abandon a duty that he’d agreed to do, even if it was forced on him. For a third time, his attention was drawn elsewhere as the horn resounded across the beach, signalling the beginning of the race.
He ground his heels into his gelding’s flanks and the beast sprang forward, even more eager than his rider to tear across the beach. Sand sprayed in all directions and for a horrible, jostling second, Zacharias’s entire world involved soft ground sliding underneath him, the shouts of over a dozen voices, and squinting in order to keep his vision clear. The buoy was straight ahead and flapping in the breeze, was the violet Leventi flag with its dancing unicorn. Zacharias only just remembered his duty and drove his horse toward Selene’s so that they would be mostly side by side. Not throw the race, indeed. How was he to win if he was supposed to be making sure that this woman didn’t have a hair out of place? She was a more than capable rider. She didn’t need his help. However, he could not make himself abandon duty, and so stayed right next to her.
Selene knew she would be a strong competitor in the race. After all, how many men among her had already broken horses? How many could ride bareback as she could? There was no reason for her to be stuck racing with the women, where only one or two might present her a challenge. She wanted to stand out, and racing with the men would do that. Those who knew her, or knew of her skill, would not think twice of giving her any special consideration. They would know that they would have to focus if they hoped to beat her.
Her position had been one she’d chosen for a reason-- she had wanted to go as unnoticed as possible so that she was given a truly fair chance to win. But as her uncle noticed her in the line up, it became certain that he planned to move her. ”Uncle, I…” But instead of pulling her out of the line up, he moved her and her horse towards Zacharias’s side. Her mouth was kept shut, as he instructed. Lip curling into a pout, she instantly realized that something was wrong with the horse beneath her. While she had ridden him before, it was not her usual horse. And while she had gained a reputation for being able to ride just about any horse, the way it was stomping at the mare to her side was not something she had much experience in.
Her eyes found Zacharias’s, a man she was often paired with for events. Selene straightened her back, her legs gripping the beast as tightly as possible to keep him in line. Giving him a smile, she said nothing to his words, not feeling a need to. After all, she was not afraid of a race. This was a competition she would do well in, even with the stallion beneath her tossing its head towards the mare. Perhaps her uncle had moved her so that she would be at the Crown Prince’s side, so he could know what a fine rider she was. But it was not as if this was their first time riding together-- she was a Leventi, and there were plenty of chances to ride together.
But she made sure her pout was gone by the time he looked at her, giving him a dazzling smile. ”I am not afraid.” She wanted to make a comment as to the fact that everyone else was only half the rider she was. But there was no time as the horn blew, signalling the start of the race. Her heels dug into the side of her horse, her stallion anxious to take off beside the gelding of the prince. For a moment, she seemed to struggle to maintain control, but the feel of sand in its hooves must have been a better focus for the time being.
Selene didn’t know what was wrong with her stallion, even after years of being surrounded by them. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to ride them, which was half of the reason her uncle told her to keep her mouth shut. She was a strong rider, but like the rest, there was only so much they could do when the beast below seemed to have other ideas. But she pressed on, trying to push the horse ahead of the prince’s. But he didn’t seem to let her.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Selene knew she would be a strong competitor in the race. After all, how many men among her had already broken horses? How many could ride bareback as she could? There was no reason for her to be stuck racing with the women, where only one or two might present her a challenge. She wanted to stand out, and racing with the men would do that. Those who knew her, or knew of her skill, would not think twice of giving her any special consideration. They would know that they would have to focus if they hoped to beat her.
Her position had been one she’d chosen for a reason-- she had wanted to go as unnoticed as possible so that she was given a truly fair chance to win. But as her uncle noticed her in the line up, it became certain that he planned to move her. ”Uncle, I…” But instead of pulling her out of the line up, he moved her and her horse towards Zacharias’s side. Her mouth was kept shut, as he instructed. Lip curling into a pout, she instantly realized that something was wrong with the horse beneath her. While she had ridden him before, it was not her usual horse. And while she had gained a reputation for being able to ride just about any horse, the way it was stomping at the mare to her side was not something she had much experience in.
Her eyes found Zacharias’s, a man she was often paired with for events. Selene straightened her back, her legs gripping the beast as tightly as possible to keep him in line. Giving him a smile, she said nothing to his words, not feeling a need to. After all, she was not afraid of a race. This was a competition she would do well in, even with the stallion beneath her tossing its head towards the mare. Perhaps her uncle had moved her so that she would be at the Crown Prince’s side, so he could know what a fine rider she was. But it was not as if this was their first time riding together-- she was a Leventi, and there were plenty of chances to ride together.
But she made sure her pout was gone by the time he looked at her, giving him a dazzling smile. ”I am not afraid.” She wanted to make a comment as to the fact that everyone else was only half the rider she was. But there was no time as the horn blew, signalling the start of the race. Her heels dug into the side of her horse, her stallion anxious to take off beside the gelding of the prince. For a moment, she seemed to struggle to maintain control, but the feel of sand in its hooves must have been a better focus for the time being.
Selene didn’t know what was wrong with her stallion, even after years of being surrounded by them. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to ride them, which was half of the reason her uncle told her to keep her mouth shut. She was a strong rider, but like the rest, there was only so much they could do when the beast below seemed to have other ideas. But she pressed on, trying to push the horse ahead of the prince’s. But he didn’t seem to let her.
Selene knew she would be a strong competitor in the race. After all, how many men among her had already broken horses? How many could ride bareback as she could? There was no reason for her to be stuck racing with the women, where only one or two might present her a challenge. She wanted to stand out, and racing with the men would do that. Those who knew her, or knew of her skill, would not think twice of giving her any special consideration. They would know that they would have to focus if they hoped to beat her.
Her position had been one she’d chosen for a reason-- she had wanted to go as unnoticed as possible so that she was given a truly fair chance to win. But as her uncle noticed her in the line up, it became certain that he planned to move her. ”Uncle, I…” But instead of pulling her out of the line up, he moved her and her horse towards Zacharias’s side. Her mouth was kept shut, as he instructed. Lip curling into a pout, she instantly realized that something was wrong with the horse beneath her. While she had ridden him before, it was not her usual horse. And while she had gained a reputation for being able to ride just about any horse, the way it was stomping at the mare to her side was not something she had much experience in.
Her eyes found Zacharias’s, a man she was often paired with for events. Selene straightened her back, her legs gripping the beast as tightly as possible to keep him in line. Giving him a smile, she said nothing to his words, not feeling a need to. After all, she was not afraid of a race. This was a competition she would do well in, even with the stallion beneath her tossing its head towards the mare. Perhaps her uncle had moved her so that she would be at the Crown Prince’s side, so he could know what a fine rider she was. But it was not as if this was their first time riding together-- she was a Leventi, and there were plenty of chances to ride together.
But she made sure her pout was gone by the time he looked at her, giving him a dazzling smile. ”I am not afraid.” She wanted to make a comment as to the fact that everyone else was only half the rider she was. But there was no time as the horn blew, signalling the start of the race. Her heels dug into the side of her horse, her stallion anxious to take off beside the gelding of the prince. For a moment, she seemed to struggle to maintain control, but the feel of sand in its hooves must have been a better focus for the time being.
Selene didn’t know what was wrong with her stallion, even after years of being surrounded by them. Technically, she wasn’t supposed to ride them, which was half of the reason her uncle told her to keep her mouth shut. She was a strong rider, but like the rest, there was only so much they could do when the beast below seemed to have other ideas. But she pressed on, trying to push the horse ahead of the prince’s. But he didn’t seem to let her.
Hesiodos was not much an expert on horses – other than riding them and making tricks on them, because dramatic flourishing were the things he was born to do - but even he could realize that the horse of lady Selene was a stallion, judging by how his mare acted when close to him; how they got closer, how she moved her tail, how she tried to get his attention, and perhaps most frustratingly, how she didn’t want to obey his inputs when trying to ride her.
His strategy had to change, then – at first, he had the idea of taking the advantage of the stallions just getting difficult because of the scent of the mare, and then moving strategically to set them off. But with this position, it was quite harder… so he decided to stay as far from the stallion as possible.
Still, he had to try something first, though.
As he rode, free as the wind, with the sea wind washing his face and hair, he got next to Prince Zacharias and rode at his side for a bit… and nothing. The mare wasn’t stimulated by the horse next to her, which mean it was either a mare or a gelding… whatever it was, it worked for him just fine. He didn’t risk at being close to him, and once his curiosity was satiated, he looked at the Prince, smiled at him, blew him a kiss and then kicked the spurs for the mare to gallop harder. He knew that doing that to royalty was a really bold, if not dangerous, move, but he could always say it was just a taunt.
At every second, the violet Leventi flag got closer… Hesiodos got one of his feet out of the stirrup and prepared to give the crowd a show – as soon as he got at a few meters of the flag, let go one of the reins with one hand, holding himself with the other, belancing himself at the side of the horse with his leg holding onto the saddle. His head was close to touching the sand, up until he snatched the flag.
The bard kicked himself up, put the foot on the stirrup and then the flag on the head of the horse in one swift movement, and his free hand waved at the crowd as he smiled and bowed. Then, with his sense of theatrics satiated, he continued the race…
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
This character is currently a work in progress.
Check out their information page here.
Badges
Deleted
Deleted
Hesiodos was not much an expert on horses – other than riding them and making tricks on them, because dramatic flourishing were the things he was born to do - but even he could realize that the horse of lady Selene was a stallion, judging by how his mare acted when close to him; how they got closer, how she moved her tail, how she tried to get his attention, and perhaps most frustratingly, how she didn’t want to obey his inputs when trying to ride her.
His strategy had to change, then – at first, he had the idea of taking the advantage of the stallions just getting difficult because of the scent of the mare, and then moving strategically to set them off. But with this position, it was quite harder… so he decided to stay as far from the stallion as possible.
Still, he had to try something first, though.
As he rode, free as the wind, with the sea wind washing his face and hair, he got next to Prince Zacharias and rode at his side for a bit… and nothing. The mare wasn’t stimulated by the horse next to her, which mean it was either a mare or a gelding… whatever it was, it worked for him just fine. He didn’t risk at being close to him, and once his curiosity was satiated, he looked at the Prince, smiled at him, blew him a kiss and then kicked the spurs for the mare to gallop harder. He knew that doing that to royalty was a really bold, if not dangerous, move, but he could always say it was just a taunt.
At every second, the violet Leventi flag got closer… Hesiodos got one of his feet out of the stirrup and prepared to give the crowd a show – as soon as he got at a few meters of the flag, let go one of the reins with one hand, holding himself with the other, belancing himself at the side of the horse with his leg holding onto the saddle. His head was close to touching the sand, up until he snatched the flag.
The bard kicked himself up, put the foot on the stirrup and then the flag on the head of the horse in one swift movement, and his free hand waved at the crowd as he smiled and bowed. Then, with his sense of theatrics satiated, he continued the race…
Hesiodos was not much an expert on horses – other than riding them and making tricks on them, because dramatic flourishing were the things he was born to do - but even he could realize that the horse of lady Selene was a stallion, judging by how his mare acted when close to him; how they got closer, how she moved her tail, how she tried to get his attention, and perhaps most frustratingly, how she didn’t want to obey his inputs when trying to ride her.
His strategy had to change, then – at first, he had the idea of taking the advantage of the stallions just getting difficult because of the scent of the mare, and then moving strategically to set them off. But with this position, it was quite harder… so he decided to stay as far from the stallion as possible.
Still, he had to try something first, though.
As he rode, free as the wind, with the sea wind washing his face and hair, he got next to Prince Zacharias and rode at his side for a bit… and nothing. The mare wasn’t stimulated by the horse next to her, which mean it was either a mare or a gelding… whatever it was, it worked for him just fine. He didn’t risk at being close to him, and once his curiosity was satiated, he looked at the Prince, smiled at him, blew him a kiss and then kicked the spurs for the mare to gallop harder. He knew that doing that to royalty was a really bold, if not dangerous, move, but he could always say it was just a taunt.
At every second, the violet Leventi flag got closer… Hesiodos got one of his feet out of the stirrup and prepared to give the crowd a show – as soon as he got at a few meters of the flag, let go one of the reins with one hand, holding himself with the other, belancing himself at the side of the horse with his leg holding onto the saddle. His head was close to touching the sand, up until he snatched the flag.
The bard kicked himself up, put the foot on the stirrup and then the flag on the head of the horse in one swift movement, and his free hand waved at the crowd as he smiled and bowed. Then, with his sense of theatrics satiated, he continued the race…