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.
Daybreak’s air was cool and shadowed by the fog rising from the lush plains that made Taengea so distinctive. Evangelina took a deep breath, trying to taste its greenness. The taste was crisp and clear, slightly sweet with just a pinch of the ocean’s salty wildness that lingered in after taste. Eyes were half-closed, her legs dangled out of the stirrups as she draped herself backward over the grey stallion’s back and hindquarters. It was the only place she truly felt comfortable in the world. Vasiliádon was nice but it was not, nor would it ever be her home; Acharist had been home but she felt in the months she’d been away from it that she’d outgrown it just enough to prevent it from being her home ever again.
A sigh escaped. There was still a lavender tint as the sun had yet to make its gracious appearance, but the stars were mostly gone. She’d slipped out that morning, unable to sleep and needing to just be away from all things confining. Guards and maidens were left in their beds. Maybe it was reckless for her but what she knew that they did not, was that if trouble arose she could out ride it. Had she been on foot or in a boat, she wouldn’t have hesitated. But on a horse…she could have led Hermes himself on a merry chase if she’d sought too.
The grey stallion quietly snatched at the grass under the great oak tree as Evie peered upwards through the branches. Despite her presence, the birds flew in and out of the tree. A fox was sniffing the ground a few hundred paces away. Somewhere in the time she’d been under the tree she’d become a part of the scene instead of a trespasser. Altair seemed to be enjoying the openness of this morning as well, he’d long grown tired of her uncle’s stables. They were beautiful, immaculate, and something to stare in awe of but like most things they were confining and designed to control rather than comfort.
Altair’s fate had once been a prince among horses. The perfect example of what the Leventi’s bred… what they sold. He’d been sold to become a circus horse, but Altair hadn’t wanted to share his success with another. He was not a team player and had suffered in turn. He’d ended up back at her father’s estate a rather wicked little hot mess. As it happened, Evangelina was drawn to wounded creatures and was forever bringing something home with her. She was a sucker for has-beens.
She was lost in her thoughts when Altair’s head lifted and he stared off at something in the distance. Evangelina didn’t immediately go on alert, her eyes fluttered softly closed again but it only lasted for a moment. Altair’s body turned so his attention could be entirely focused on the newest trespasser. With ears up and nostrils flared, a powerful bugling sort of welcoming nicker vibrated through him, shaking her as he did it. That drew Evie’s attention. It was the tone in the stallions nicker, there was another horse.
With a fluid grace not seen often from the pint-sized Leventi, she rose back up into sitting position. Her legs still dangled loosely near the horse’s belly. She sat relaxed in the saddle, her darkened honey eyes meeting the most unexpected eyes. A faint smile touched her lips in silent greeting. Her hands gave a single, gentle tug on her reins in a reminder that she was still there.
“My lord.” She acknowledged. She licked her try lips and cleared her throat softly, “I thought it was the general practice for men of consequence to remain in bed until past the hour of almost noon.” Evangelina’s dimpled smile formed on one side of her slightly too wide mouth. “Business and schemes to see them to bed in the wee hours of the morning.”
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
Daybreak’s air was cool and shadowed by the fog rising from the lush plains that made Taengea so distinctive. Evangelina took a deep breath, trying to taste its greenness. The taste was crisp and clear, slightly sweet with just a pinch of the ocean’s salty wildness that lingered in after taste. Eyes were half-closed, her legs dangled out of the stirrups as she draped herself backward over the grey stallion’s back and hindquarters. It was the only place she truly felt comfortable in the world. Vasiliádon was nice but it was not, nor would it ever be her home; Acharist had been home but she felt in the months she’d been away from it that she’d outgrown it just enough to prevent it from being her home ever again.
A sigh escaped. There was still a lavender tint as the sun had yet to make its gracious appearance, but the stars were mostly gone. She’d slipped out that morning, unable to sleep and needing to just be away from all things confining. Guards and maidens were left in their beds. Maybe it was reckless for her but what she knew that they did not, was that if trouble arose she could out ride it. Had she been on foot or in a boat, she wouldn’t have hesitated. But on a horse…she could have led Hermes himself on a merry chase if she’d sought too.
The grey stallion quietly snatched at the grass under the great oak tree as Evie peered upwards through the branches. Despite her presence, the birds flew in and out of the tree. A fox was sniffing the ground a few hundred paces away. Somewhere in the time she’d been under the tree she’d become a part of the scene instead of a trespasser. Altair seemed to be enjoying the openness of this morning as well, he’d long grown tired of her uncle’s stables. They were beautiful, immaculate, and something to stare in awe of but like most things they were confining and designed to control rather than comfort.
Altair’s fate had once been a prince among horses. The perfect example of what the Leventi’s bred… what they sold. He’d been sold to become a circus horse, but Altair hadn’t wanted to share his success with another. He was not a team player and had suffered in turn. He’d ended up back at her father’s estate a rather wicked little hot mess. As it happened, Evangelina was drawn to wounded creatures and was forever bringing something home with her. She was a sucker for has-beens.
She was lost in her thoughts when Altair’s head lifted and he stared off at something in the distance. Evangelina didn’t immediately go on alert, her eyes fluttered softly closed again but it only lasted for a moment. Altair’s body turned so his attention could be entirely focused on the newest trespasser. With ears up and nostrils flared, a powerful bugling sort of welcoming nicker vibrated through him, shaking her as he did it. That drew Evie’s attention. It was the tone in the stallions nicker, there was another horse.
With a fluid grace not seen often from the pint-sized Leventi, she rose back up into sitting position. Her legs still dangled loosely near the horse’s belly. She sat relaxed in the saddle, her darkened honey eyes meeting the most unexpected eyes. A faint smile touched her lips in silent greeting. Her hands gave a single, gentle tug on her reins in a reminder that she was still there.
“My lord.” She acknowledged. She licked her try lips and cleared her throat softly, “I thought it was the general practice for men of consequence to remain in bed until past the hour of almost noon.” Evangelina’s dimpled smile formed on one side of her slightly too wide mouth. “Business and schemes to see them to bed in the wee hours of the morning.”
Daybreak’s air was cool and shadowed by the fog rising from the lush plains that made Taengea so distinctive. Evangelina took a deep breath, trying to taste its greenness. The taste was crisp and clear, slightly sweet with just a pinch of the ocean’s salty wildness that lingered in after taste. Eyes were half-closed, her legs dangled out of the stirrups as she draped herself backward over the grey stallion’s back and hindquarters. It was the only place she truly felt comfortable in the world. Vasiliádon was nice but it was not, nor would it ever be her home; Acharist had been home but she felt in the months she’d been away from it that she’d outgrown it just enough to prevent it from being her home ever again.
A sigh escaped. There was still a lavender tint as the sun had yet to make its gracious appearance, but the stars were mostly gone. She’d slipped out that morning, unable to sleep and needing to just be away from all things confining. Guards and maidens were left in their beds. Maybe it was reckless for her but what she knew that they did not, was that if trouble arose she could out ride it. Had she been on foot or in a boat, she wouldn’t have hesitated. But on a horse…she could have led Hermes himself on a merry chase if she’d sought too.
The grey stallion quietly snatched at the grass under the great oak tree as Evie peered upwards through the branches. Despite her presence, the birds flew in and out of the tree. A fox was sniffing the ground a few hundred paces away. Somewhere in the time she’d been under the tree she’d become a part of the scene instead of a trespasser. Altair seemed to be enjoying the openness of this morning as well, he’d long grown tired of her uncle’s stables. They were beautiful, immaculate, and something to stare in awe of but like most things they were confining and designed to control rather than comfort.
Altair’s fate had once been a prince among horses. The perfect example of what the Leventi’s bred… what they sold. He’d been sold to become a circus horse, but Altair hadn’t wanted to share his success with another. He was not a team player and had suffered in turn. He’d ended up back at her father’s estate a rather wicked little hot mess. As it happened, Evangelina was drawn to wounded creatures and was forever bringing something home with her. She was a sucker for has-beens.
She was lost in her thoughts when Altair’s head lifted and he stared off at something in the distance. Evangelina didn’t immediately go on alert, her eyes fluttered softly closed again but it only lasted for a moment. Altair’s body turned so his attention could be entirely focused on the newest trespasser. With ears up and nostrils flared, a powerful bugling sort of welcoming nicker vibrated through him, shaking her as he did it. That drew Evie’s attention. It was the tone in the stallions nicker, there was another horse.
With a fluid grace not seen often from the pint-sized Leventi, she rose back up into sitting position. Her legs still dangled loosely near the horse’s belly. She sat relaxed in the saddle, her darkened honey eyes meeting the most unexpected eyes. A faint smile touched her lips in silent greeting. Her hands gave a single, gentle tug on her reins in a reminder that she was still there.
“My lord.” She acknowledged. She licked her try lips and cleared her throat softly, “I thought it was the general practice for men of consequence to remain in bed until past the hour of almost noon.” Evangelina’s dimpled smile formed on one side of her slightly too wide mouth. “Business and schemes to see them to bed in the wee hours of the morning.”
His habit of rising early did not change due to his location. Rising early to pray in the temple of Artemis had led him back to his own manor and the stables therein. His blood mare needed a good run. She stuck her black nose over the stall to look at him as his broad frame darkened the opening of the stables. Running his hand down her long face, he let her go when she tossed her head and stamped impatiently. Preparing her did not take long and within a half hour, he found himself riding at a quiet pace through the stone streets of Vasiliadon. It was a simple matter of leaving through the city gate and coming out onto the plains surrounding the city.
Far beyond the gently rolling emerald hills, the beginnings of the forest promised a wealth of riding. Towards the back of the city, still on the lands of the palati, they had their own private stretch of forest - but for everyone else who did not live in the palati, they were relegated to riding out here. While he preferred the lofty trees of his own domain, he could not deny the cultivated beauty of the capital. His horse was eager and raring to go. Before her was laid out the whole of the land. All she wanted was for her master to ease his grip on the reins and she could bolt. Gavriil knew the energy she wanted to burn but he did not want her completely tuckered out on their return journey.
Instead of letting her explode forward as she wanted to, he had her walk at a sedate pace. Her black tail swished restlessly but after a few minutes of walking, she calmed a bit and swiveled her ears this way and that, listening to him humming a wordless tune and the birds chittering overhead. His gaze swept the landscape and he spotted Evangelina before she spotted him. Curious as to what she was doing all the way out here, alone, and lying back upon her horse, he reined his mare in her direction.
The pace was not swift. Either she was alright or she was not, but his galloping towards her wouldn’t fix anything if something were to be amiss. The closer he came, the more convinced he was that she was fine and he was on the point of flicking his mare’s reins to take them on when she happened to look over and chose that moment to sit up. Her teasing earned her a brief smile that slid back into his usual solemn expression.
“Men of Vasiliadon, perhaps,” he said. Though he hadn’t assigned any guards for either his daughters or his son or himself, he knew full well that other families were doing that, hers included. Personally he thought it a waste of time and money. Better to teach their daughters to care for themselves, rather than have to rely on guards that might be part of the Creed. She was quite without guard or maid and he was at a loss as to why that would be. None of the Leventi family thought much of his method of raising girls to be peers to men. To his mind, she should be just as afraid of the Creed as everyone else, and yet...here she was.
“I was under the impression that fine ladies stayed in bed until noon and then sought out mischief in the evening hours.” A joke that was dolled out in the most serious of voices.
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
His habit of rising early did not change due to his location. Rising early to pray in the temple of Artemis had led him back to his own manor and the stables therein. His blood mare needed a good run. She stuck her black nose over the stall to look at him as his broad frame darkened the opening of the stables. Running his hand down her long face, he let her go when she tossed her head and stamped impatiently. Preparing her did not take long and within a half hour, he found himself riding at a quiet pace through the stone streets of Vasiliadon. It was a simple matter of leaving through the city gate and coming out onto the plains surrounding the city.
Far beyond the gently rolling emerald hills, the beginnings of the forest promised a wealth of riding. Towards the back of the city, still on the lands of the palati, they had their own private stretch of forest - but for everyone else who did not live in the palati, they were relegated to riding out here. While he preferred the lofty trees of his own domain, he could not deny the cultivated beauty of the capital. His horse was eager and raring to go. Before her was laid out the whole of the land. All she wanted was for her master to ease his grip on the reins and she could bolt. Gavriil knew the energy she wanted to burn but he did not want her completely tuckered out on their return journey.
Instead of letting her explode forward as she wanted to, he had her walk at a sedate pace. Her black tail swished restlessly but after a few minutes of walking, she calmed a bit and swiveled her ears this way and that, listening to him humming a wordless tune and the birds chittering overhead. His gaze swept the landscape and he spotted Evangelina before she spotted him. Curious as to what she was doing all the way out here, alone, and lying back upon her horse, he reined his mare in her direction.
The pace was not swift. Either she was alright or she was not, but his galloping towards her wouldn’t fix anything if something were to be amiss. The closer he came, the more convinced he was that she was fine and he was on the point of flicking his mare’s reins to take them on when she happened to look over and chose that moment to sit up. Her teasing earned her a brief smile that slid back into his usual solemn expression.
“Men of Vasiliadon, perhaps,” he said. Though he hadn’t assigned any guards for either his daughters or his son or himself, he knew full well that other families were doing that, hers included. Personally he thought it a waste of time and money. Better to teach their daughters to care for themselves, rather than have to rely on guards that might be part of the Creed. She was quite without guard or maid and he was at a loss as to why that would be. None of the Leventi family thought much of his method of raising girls to be peers to men. To his mind, she should be just as afraid of the Creed as everyone else, and yet...here she was.
“I was under the impression that fine ladies stayed in bed until noon and then sought out mischief in the evening hours.” A joke that was dolled out in the most serious of voices.
His habit of rising early did not change due to his location. Rising early to pray in the temple of Artemis had led him back to his own manor and the stables therein. His blood mare needed a good run. She stuck her black nose over the stall to look at him as his broad frame darkened the opening of the stables. Running his hand down her long face, he let her go when she tossed her head and stamped impatiently. Preparing her did not take long and within a half hour, he found himself riding at a quiet pace through the stone streets of Vasiliadon. It was a simple matter of leaving through the city gate and coming out onto the plains surrounding the city.
Far beyond the gently rolling emerald hills, the beginnings of the forest promised a wealth of riding. Towards the back of the city, still on the lands of the palati, they had their own private stretch of forest - but for everyone else who did not live in the palati, they were relegated to riding out here. While he preferred the lofty trees of his own domain, he could not deny the cultivated beauty of the capital. His horse was eager and raring to go. Before her was laid out the whole of the land. All she wanted was for her master to ease his grip on the reins and she could bolt. Gavriil knew the energy she wanted to burn but he did not want her completely tuckered out on their return journey.
Instead of letting her explode forward as she wanted to, he had her walk at a sedate pace. Her black tail swished restlessly but after a few minutes of walking, she calmed a bit and swiveled her ears this way and that, listening to him humming a wordless tune and the birds chittering overhead. His gaze swept the landscape and he spotted Evangelina before she spotted him. Curious as to what she was doing all the way out here, alone, and lying back upon her horse, he reined his mare in her direction.
The pace was not swift. Either she was alright or she was not, but his galloping towards her wouldn’t fix anything if something were to be amiss. The closer he came, the more convinced he was that she was fine and he was on the point of flicking his mare’s reins to take them on when she happened to look over and chose that moment to sit up. Her teasing earned her a brief smile that slid back into his usual solemn expression.
“Men of Vasiliadon, perhaps,” he said. Though he hadn’t assigned any guards for either his daughters or his son or himself, he knew full well that other families were doing that, hers included. Personally he thought it a waste of time and money. Better to teach their daughters to care for themselves, rather than have to rely on guards that might be part of the Creed. She was quite without guard or maid and he was at a loss as to why that would be. None of the Leventi family thought much of his method of raising girls to be peers to men. To his mind, she should be just as afraid of the Creed as everyone else, and yet...here she was.
“I was under the impression that fine ladies stayed in bed until noon and then sought out mischief in the evening hours.” A joke that was dolled out in the most serious of voices.
There was a freshness, a cleanliness, to this time of the morning that Evangelina relished. It left her with a feeling of peace and inner fortitude that nothing else seemed to bring her. As a day would stretch on, her inner energy would ball up in nerves. Maybe one day she’d find a release for that energy… until then she had her mornings.
Gavriil gifted her with a brief smile from her teasing. It might have been brief but it was truly something that she was proud of. The smile seemed to soften the hard lines of his face, giving life to the creases at the corners of his eyes and mouth. He seemed less forbidding when he smiled. He seemed almost happy. And then it was gone. She sighed to herself.
Men of Vasiliadon, perhaps. And then he turned it around on her. I was under the impression that fine ladies stayed in bed until noon and then sought out mischief in the evening hours.
The joke was said with such soberness that she had to catch herself from not throwing her head back and laughing. It was her turn to smile then, a cheeky sort dimpled smile. Slanting her darkened honey eyes towards him in amusement.
“Ladies of Vasiliadon, perhaps” Her words had taken on a teasing impression of his own tone, but her eyes gave away her teasing. Compared to her cousins, Evangelina was the country bumpkin of the group. Outside of a few visits to Vasiliadon, the pint-sized Leventi had spent a great majority of her life in Acharist and way from the things that fine ladies normally occupied themselves. Mornings were a habit she had grown into living on her an estate that raised horses. There were days in the depths of summer when mornings and evenings were the only time she could have any time with the horses without overheating. When you did something long enough it stopped being a habit and started being a part of who you were. It didn’t mean that she wasn’t capable of finding her own mischief though…
Altair stood quietly under Evangelina and stared at the pair with his usual condescending curiosity. His ears would flick back and forth as the conversation continued between this man and his rider but he behaved himself. His rider on the other hand… did not.
It was simply too much fun to tease this man and secretly there was a hope lodged in Evangelina that she might get another smile from him or better yet a laugh. What would his laugh sound like?
Biting her bottom lip, she tilted her head and studied him still full of cheer. Flexing her feet that still hung free of the stirrups, her dark eyes met his and in a tongue in cheek tone, “Mischief in the evening hours, my lord? That sounds quite sinister.” She pursed her lips to keep a throaty laugh at bay.
“You’ve aroused my curiosity!” The younger Leventi teased. “What sort of mischief do young ladies get up too in the evening hours?” Darting another puckish look at him, “Now I am wondering if I am not missing all the fun with my morning habits.”
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
There was a freshness, a cleanliness, to this time of the morning that Evangelina relished. It left her with a feeling of peace and inner fortitude that nothing else seemed to bring her. As a day would stretch on, her inner energy would ball up in nerves. Maybe one day she’d find a release for that energy… until then she had her mornings.
Gavriil gifted her with a brief smile from her teasing. It might have been brief but it was truly something that she was proud of. The smile seemed to soften the hard lines of his face, giving life to the creases at the corners of his eyes and mouth. He seemed less forbidding when he smiled. He seemed almost happy. And then it was gone. She sighed to herself.
Men of Vasiliadon, perhaps. And then he turned it around on her. I was under the impression that fine ladies stayed in bed until noon and then sought out mischief in the evening hours.
The joke was said with such soberness that she had to catch herself from not throwing her head back and laughing. It was her turn to smile then, a cheeky sort dimpled smile. Slanting her darkened honey eyes towards him in amusement.
“Ladies of Vasiliadon, perhaps” Her words had taken on a teasing impression of his own tone, but her eyes gave away her teasing. Compared to her cousins, Evangelina was the country bumpkin of the group. Outside of a few visits to Vasiliadon, the pint-sized Leventi had spent a great majority of her life in Acharist and way from the things that fine ladies normally occupied themselves. Mornings were a habit she had grown into living on her an estate that raised horses. There were days in the depths of summer when mornings and evenings were the only time she could have any time with the horses without overheating. When you did something long enough it stopped being a habit and started being a part of who you were. It didn’t mean that she wasn’t capable of finding her own mischief though…
Altair stood quietly under Evangelina and stared at the pair with his usual condescending curiosity. His ears would flick back and forth as the conversation continued between this man and his rider but he behaved himself. His rider on the other hand… did not.
It was simply too much fun to tease this man and secretly there was a hope lodged in Evangelina that she might get another smile from him or better yet a laugh. What would his laugh sound like?
Biting her bottom lip, she tilted her head and studied him still full of cheer. Flexing her feet that still hung free of the stirrups, her dark eyes met his and in a tongue in cheek tone, “Mischief in the evening hours, my lord? That sounds quite sinister.” She pursed her lips to keep a throaty laugh at bay.
“You’ve aroused my curiosity!” The younger Leventi teased. “What sort of mischief do young ladies get up too in the evening hours?” Darting another puckish look at him, “Now I am wondering if I am not missing all the fun with my morning habits.”
There was a freshness, a cleanliness, to this time of the morning that Evangelina relished. It left her with a feeling of peace and inner fortitude that nothing else seemed to bring her. As a day would stretch on, her inner energy would ball up in nerves. Maybe one day she’d find a release for that energy… until then she had her mornings.
Gavriil gifted her with a brief smile from her teasing. It might have been brief but it was truly something that she was proud of. The smile seemed to soften the hard lines of his face, giving life to the creases at the corners of his eyes and mouth. He seemed less forbidding when he smiled. He seemed almost happy. And then it was gone. She sighed to herself.
Men of Vasiliadon, perhaps. And then he turned it around on her. I was under the impression that fine ladies stayed in bed until noon and then sought out mischief in the evening hours.
The joke was said with such soberness that she had to catch herself from not throwing her head back and laughing. It was her turn to smile then, a cheeky sort dimpled smile. Slanting her darkened honey eyes towards him in amusement.
“Ladies of Vasiliadon, perhaps” Her words had taken on a teasing impression of his own tone, but her eyes gave away her teasing. Compared to her cousins, Evangelina was the country bumpkin of the group. Outside of a few visits to Vasiliadon, the pint-sized Leventi had spent a great majority of her life in Acharist and way from the things that fine ladies normally occupied themselves. Mornings were a habit she had grown into living on her an estate that raised horses. There were days in the depths of summer when mornings and evenings were the only time she could have any time with the horses without overheating. When you did something long enough it stopped being a habit and started being a part of who you were. It didn’t mean that she wasn’t capable of finding her own mischief though…
Altair stood quietly under Evangelina and stared at the pair with his usual condescending curiosity. His ears would flick back and forth as the conversation continued between this man and his rider but he behaved himself. His rider on the other hand… did not.
It was simply too much fun to tease this man and secretly there was a hope lodged in Evangelina that she might get another smile from him or better yet a laugh. What would his laugh sound like?
Biting her bottom lip, she tilted her head and studied him still full of cheer. Flexing her feet that still hung free of the stirrups, her dark eyes met his and in a tongue in cheek tone, “Mischief in the evening hours, my lord? That sounds quite sinister.” She pursed her lips to keep a throaty laugh at bay.
“You’ve aroused my curiosity!” The younger Leventi teased. “What sort of mischief do young ladies get up too in the evening hours?” Darting another puckish look at him, “Now I am wondering if I am not missing all the fun with my morning habits.”
She was so expressive. He wondered how he had not noticed it before whenever he’d been to the Leventi manor, but, then, he wasn’t there often and he’d never once been to her father’s house in Acharist. Whenever they met, it was in Vasiliadon - a city he never dwelled in long if he could help it. So, he supposed, it should be no great surprise that he did not know the girl well at all and that literally anything she did would be a new thing to him.
He watched as she sat back up on her horse and by the look on her face became increasingly concerned about what might pop out of her mouth next. It had been such a long time since anyone teased him in this manner. His own family were fairly like himself - quiet, self contained, blunt. They usually kept to themselves, involved in their own routines and not bothering each other. Which is not to say that they never came together as a family unit. Every meal was shared as a group and the gatherings were informal and entirely open. They just never had the kind of feather lightness that Evangelina displayed.
Then, of course, the next part that flew out of her mouth made him raise his eyebrows and actually blink in surprise. When he’d uttered the joke, he hadn’t thought much about the nuances of it, and certainly never expected to have to explain it. “Sinister-” he began, but didn’t get much further before the rest of what she said came teasingly out and he tightened his lips into a firm line that curled upwards at the corners, despite his attempt at keeping a straight face.
“As I am neither young, nor a lady,” he said with great dignity, turning his face skyward under the pretext of watching a bird fly over them. This, of course, kept his face away and the growing laugh at bay. “I wouldn’t know what the fairer sex gets up to at night, save that you’re much better off as you are.”
In a field. In the early morning.
Then he turned back to her, leaning his forearms on the pommel of his saddle and nodded toward her. “What brings you here this early? If I might ask?” The last time he’d seen her was at the palati when she’d seemed fairly out of sorts. Out here, in the cool of the morning, with her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright, she looked to be much more in her element.
His mare pawed the ground and whickered at Evangelina’s horse. Gavriil gave the beast a silent reprimand with his heels which made the mare dance sideways. A swish of the horse’s tail and a toss of the head was all the answer she gave. He leaned down a bit and patted her neck, looking to Evangelina for her answer.
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
She was so expressive. He wondered how he had not noticed it before whenever he’d been to the Leventi manor, but, then, he wasn’t there often and he’d never once been to her father’s house in Acharist. Whenever they met, it was in Vasiliadon - a city he never dwelled in long if he could help it. So, he supposed, it should be no great surprise that he did not know the girl well at all and that literally anything she did would be a new thing to him.
He watched as she sat back up on her horse and by the look on her face became increasingly concerned about what might pop out of her mouth next. It had been such a long time since anyone teased him in this manner. His own family were fairly like himself - quiet, self contained, blunt. They usually kept to themselves, involved in their own routines and not bothering each other. Which is not to say that they never came together as a family unit. Every meal was shared as a group and the gatherings were informal and entirely open. They just never had the kind of feather lightness that Evangelina displayed.
Then, of course, the next part that flew out of her mouth made him raise his eyebrows and actually blink in surprise. When he’d uttered the joke, he hadn’t thought much about the nuances of it, and certainly never expected to have to explain it. “Sinister-” he began, but didn’t get much further before the rest of what she said came teasingly out and he tightened his lips into a firm line that curled upwards at the corners, despite his attempt at keeping a straight face.
“As I am neither young, nor a lady,” he said with great dignity, turning his face skyward under the pretext of watching a bird fly over them. This, of course, kept his face away and the growing laugh at bay. “I wouldn’t know what the fairer sex gets up to at night, save that you’re much better off as you are.”
In a field. In the early morning.
Then he turned back to her, leaning his forearms on the pommel of his saddle and nodded toward her. “What brings you here this early? If I might ask?” The last time he’d seen her was at the palati when she’d seemed fairly out of sorts. Out here, in the cool of the morning, with her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright, she looked to be much more in her element.
His mare pawed the ground and whickered at Evangelina’s horse. Gavriil gave the beast a silent reprimand with his heels which made the mare dance sideways. A swish of the horse’s tail and a toss of the head was all the answer she gave. He leaned down a bit and patted her neck, looking to Evangelina for her answer.
She was so expressive. He wondered how he had not noticed it before whenever he’d been to the Leventi manor, but, then, he wasn’t there often and he’d never once been to her father’s house in Acharist. Whenever they met, it was in Vasiliadon - a city he never dwelled in long if he could help it. So, he supposed, it should be no great surprise that he did not know the girl well at all and that literally anything she did would be a new thing to him.
He watched as she sat back up on her horse and by the look on her face became increasingly concerned about what might pop out of her mouth next. It had been such a long time since anyone teased him in this manner. His own family were fairly like himself - quiet, self contained, blunt. They usually kept to themselves, involved in their own routines and not bothering each other. Which is not to say that they never came together as a family unit. Every meal was shared as a group and the gatherings were informal and entirely open. They just never had the kind of feather lightness that Evangelina displayed.
Then, of course, the next part that flew out of her mouth made him raise his eyebrows and actually blink in surprise. When he’d uttered the joke, he hadn’t thought much about the nuances of it, and certainly never expected to have to explain it. “Sinister-” he began, but didn’t get much further before the rest of what she said came teasingly out and he tightened his lips into a firm line that curled upwards at the corners, despite his attempt at keeping a straight face.
“As I am neither young, nor a lady,” he said with great dignity, turning his face skyward under the pretext of watching a bird fly over them. This, of course, kept his face away and the growing laugh at bay. “I wouldn’t know what the fairer sex gets up to at night, save that you’re much better off as you are.”
In a field. In the early morning.
Then he turned back to her, leaning his forearms on the pommel of his saddle and nodded toward her. “What brings you here this early? If I might ask?” The last time he’d seen her was at the palati when she’d seemed fairly out of sorts. Out here, in the cool of the morning, with her cheeks flushed and her eyes bright, she looked to be much more in her element.
His mare pawed the ground and whickered at Evangelina’s horse. Gavriil gave the beast a silent reprimand with his heels which made the mare dance sideways. A swish of the horse’s tail and a toss of the head was all the answer she gave. He leaned down a bit and patted her neck, looking to Evangelina for her answer.
People never notice mountains if they are too busy staring at the flowers. That was the conclusion that Evangelina had long since come to regarding why she was overlooked more often than not. It was only when you looked at a mountain that you could see the beauty of it.
Not that she really encouraged anyone to look at her, she’d been burned too many times when people looked at her. As a child, they looked at her and she could see the regret in their gaze that she’d not been born a son of Leventi. Later, it was more that people saw her cousins and she was just one among the group. Standing next to Selene or Theo, she’d been awkward and gangly… she’d felt foolish by comparison, and so she’d learned to save her sparkle.
It wouldn’t have surprised her at all that anyone noticed her at all; except she’d not quite learned to control her fidgeting when she was uncomfortable. Her fidgeting led her to her infamous calamities. It was why she seemed so different when there was a horse near; it gave her the confidence not to fidget. It centered her and gave her purpose.
The corner of her lip raised wickedly as his eyebrows created some new creases in his forehead as they rose upwards. Teasing him was delicious. Gavriil blinked, and she was pretty sure he was squirming in the saddle afraid that he was going to have to explain the facts of life to the pint-sized Leventi. It filled her with happiness to take him by surprise.
‘Sinister-’
She blinked her honeyed dark eyes at him before a surprisingly throaty giggle burst out of her. Her laughter was brief. Evie found her gaze shifting to the way his mouth tightened but the smile was there. Tilting her head, her chestnut hair flopped to the side in the motion as she listened with a pleased grin on her lips as he spoke.
‘As I am neither young, nor a lady,’ He tilted his focus away from her, upwards towards a bird or the sky or whatever had captured his attention. ‘I wouldn’t know what the fairer sex gets up to at night, save that you’re much better off as you are.’ Gavriil’s words made her smile widen, even more, she positively looked like that cat who’d drunk the cream.
“Hmmm…” It was a throaty hum, part teasing, and part amusement. “I don’t believe you for an instant.” Letting a tiny bit of sparkle shine out of her eyes she continued, “If I did, I’d ask how you knew I was better off where I was if you didn’t know what sort of mischief the fairer sex got up to.” The corner of her mouth turned up, providing the appearance of a dimple before her gaze dipped to the ground only to be pulled to the surrounding landscape.
Evangelina sighed softly. Mornings really were something special for her. Gavriil’s appearance somehow made it feel a little less lonely. Darting a quick glance at him, she saw him settling in and staring at her. She shifted in the saddle at the attention and looked away.
‘What brings you here this early? If I might ask?’
It was her turn to blink in surprise and tilt her head again, hair flopping, to look at him again for a long moment then she smiled softly, peacefully.
“Mmm…” She inhaled softly and nodded as if it was a perfectly normal sort of question. “I suppose it does seem a bit odd for a young lady, who should be sound asleep in bed after a late night of mischief…” It was just a small tease that brought with it another smile, but she didn’t go off track. “Vasiliadon isn’t my home…” Her lips pursed a little and she drew her gaze away. Her fingers had started fiddling with Altair’s gray mane. “Mornings like this… the peacefulness, the wildness of being away from the city… It’s the closest I can get to being home.” She spared him a glance with a faint smile on her lips and she shrugged a little. “No sinisterness or mischief to it. Rather boring I know.” She wrinkled her nose a little.
Her gaze dropped to his mare fidgeting and looked back up at him, “Come on, you can keep me company while I ride for a bit… besides your mare looks like she could stretch her legs a bit.” In fluid softness, she bent down and slipped her feet one at a time back into the stirrups. “Riding is always better when there are at two…” She nodded towards the open space and with a sightless instruction, Altair stepped out with a extended walk in the direction she’d just indicated as she left Gavriil to catch up or sneak away. The decision was his.
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
People never notice mountains if they are too busy staring at the flowers. That was the conclusion that Evangelina had long since come to regarding why she was overlooked more often than not. It was only when you looked at a mountain that you could see the beauty of it.
Not that she really encouraged anyone to look at her, she’d been burned too many times when people looked at her. As a child, they looked at her and she could see the regret in their gaze that she’d not been born a son of Leventi. Later, it was more that people saw her cousins and she was just one among the group. Standing next to Selene or Theo, she’d been awkward and gangly… she’d felt foolish by comparison, and so she’d learned to save her sparkle.
It wouldn’t have surprised her at all that anyone noticed her at all; except she’d not quite learned to control her fidgeting when she was uncomfortable. Her fidgeting led her to her infamous calamities. It was why she seemed so different when there was a horse near; it gave her the confidence not to fidget. It centered her and gave her purpose.
The corner of her lip raised wickedly as his eyebrows created some new creases in his forehead as they rose upwards. Teasing him was delicious. Gavriil blinked, and she was pretty sure he was squirming in the saddle afraid that he was going to have to explain the facts of life to the pint-sized Leventi. It filled her with happiness to take him by surprise.
‘Sinister-’
She blinked her honeyed dark eyes at him before a surprisingly throaty giggle burst out of her. Her laughter was brief. Evie found her gaze shifting to the way his mouth tightened but the smile was there. Tilting her head, her chestnut hair flopped to the side in the motion as she listened with a pleased grin on her lips as he spoke.
‘As I am neither young, nor a lady,’ He tilted his focus away from her, upwards towards a bird or the sky or whatever had captured his attention. ‘I wouldn’t know what the fairer sex gets up to at night, save that you’re much better off as you are.’ Gavriil’s words made her smile widen, even more, she positively looked like that cat who’d drunk the cream.
“Hmmm…” It was a throaty hum, part teasing, and part amusement. “I don’t believe you for an instant.” Letting a tiny bit of sparkle shine out of her eyes she continued, “If I did, I’d ask how you knew I was better off where I was if you didn’t know what sort of mischief the fairer sex got up to.” The corner of her mouth turned up, providing the appearance of a dimple before her gaze dipped to the ground only to be pulled to the surrounding landscape.
Evangelina sighed softly. Mornings really were something special for her. Gavriil’s appearance somehow made it feel a little less lonely. Darting a quick glance at him, she saw him settling in and staring at her. She shifted in the saddle at the attention and looked away.
‘What brings you here this early? If I might ask?’
It was her turn to blink in surprise and tilt her head again, hair flopping, to look at him again for a long moment then she smiled softly, peacefully.
“Mmm…” She inhaled softly and nodded as if it was a perfectly normal sort of question. “I suppose it does seem a bit odd for a young lady, who should be sound asleep in bed after a late night of mischief…” It was just a small tease that brought with it another smile, but she didn’t go off track. “Vasiliadon isn’t my home…” Her lips pursed a little and she drew her gaze away. Her fingers had started fiddling with Altair’s gray mane. “Mornings like this… the peacefulness, the wildness of being away from the city… It’s the closest I can get to being home.” She spared him a glance with a faint smile on her lips and she shrugged a little. “No sinisterness or mischief to it. Rather boring I know.” She wrinkled her nose a little.
Her gaze dropped to his mare fidgeting and looked back up at him, “Come on, you can keep me company while I ride for a bit… besides your mare looks like she could stretch her legs a bit.” In fluid softness, she bent down and slipped her feet one at a time back into the stirrups. “Riding is always better when there are at two…” She nodded towards the open space and with a sightless instruction, Altair stepped out with a extended walk in the direction she’d just indicated as she left Gavriil to catch up or sneak away. The decision was his.
People never notice mountains if they are too busy staring at the flowers. That was the conclusion that Evangelina had long since come to regarding why she was overlooked more often than not. It was only when you looked at a mountain that you could see the beauty of it.
Not that she really encouraged anyone to look at her, she’d been burned too many times when people looked at her. As a child, they looked at her and she could see the regret in their gaze that she’d not been born a son of Leventi. Later, it was more that people saw her cousins and she was just one among the group. Standing next to Selene or Theo, she’d been awkward and gangly… she’d felt foolish by comparison, and so she’d learned to save her sparkle.
It wouldn’t have surprised her at all that anyone noticed her at all; except she’d not quite learned to control her fidgeting when she was uncomfortable. Her fidgeting led her to her infamous calamities. It was why she seemed so different when there was a horse near; it gave her the confidence not to fidget. It centered her and gave her purpose.
The corner of her lip raised wickedly as his eyebrows created some new creases in his forehead as they rose upwards. Teasing him was delicious. Gavriil blinked, and she was pretty sure he was squirming in the saddle afraid that he was going to have to explain the facts of life to the pint-sized Leventi. It filled her with happiness to take him by surprise.
‘Sinister-’
She blinked her honeyed dark eyes at him before a surprisingly throaty giggle burst out of her. Her laughter was brief. Evie found her gaze shifting to the way his mouth tightened but the smile was there. Tilting her head, her chestnut hair flopped to the side in the motion as she listened with a pleased grin on her lips as he spoke.
‘As I am neither young, nor a lady,’ He tilted his focus away from her, upwards towards a bird or the sky or whatever had captured his attention. ‘I wouldn’t know what the fairer sex gets up to at night, save that you’re much better off as you are.’ Gavriil’s words made her smile widen, even more, she positively looked like that cat who’d drunk the cream.
“Hmmm…” It was a throaty hum, part teasing, and part amusement. “I don’t believe you for an instant.” Letting a tiny bit of sparkle shine out of her eyes she continued, “If I did, I’d ask how you knew I was better off where I was if you didn’t know what sort of mischief the fairer sex got up to.” The corner of her mouth turned up, providing the appearance of a dimple before her gaze dipped to the ground only to be pulled to the surrounding landscape.
Evangelina sighed softly. Mornings really were something special for her. Gavriil’s appearance somehow made it feel a little less lonely. Darting a quick glance at him, she saw him settling in and staring at her. She shifted in the saddle at the attention and looked away.
‘What brings you here this early? If I might ask?’
It was her turn to blink in surprise and tilt her head again, hair flopping, to look at him again for a long moment then she smiled softly, peacefully.
“Mmm…” She inhaled softly and nodded as if it was a perfectly normal sort of question. “I suppose it does seem a bit odd for a young lady, who should be sound asleep in bed after a late night of mischief…” It was just a small tease that brought with it another smile, but she didn’t go off track. “Vasiliadon isn’t my home…” Her lips pursed a little and she drew her gaze away. Her fingers had started fiddling with Altair’s gray mane. “Mornings like this… the peacefulness, the wildness of being away from the city… It’s the closest I can get to being home.” She spared him a glance with a faint smile on her lips and she shrugged a little. “No sinisterness or mischief to it. Rather boring I know.” She wrinkled her nose a little.
Her gaze dropped to his mare fidgeting and looked back up at him, “Come on, you can keep me company while I ride for a bit… besides your mare looks like she could stretch her legs a bit.” In fluid softness, she bent down and slipped her feet one at a time back into the stirrups. “Riding is always better when there are at two…” She nodded towards the open space and with a sightless instruction, Altair stepped out with a extended walk in the direction she’d just indicated as she left Gavriil to catch up or sneak away. The decision was his.
He’d kept his gaze upward but it dropped like a stone as soon as she’d said she didn’t believe him. The expression wasn’t offended, but more he wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this girl. She spoke in a familiar way like they knew each other better than they did and, what was more, her speech was a bit shocking. Not, of course, that it was too shocking for him to hear but rather he was surprised she even knew to say it. As she went on, he was careful to keep his face perfectly neutral to what she was saying. There were no horses strong enough in Greece to drag out of him an answer to her question of how he knew.
He’d been her age once and a lot less wise than he was now.
Like their first real interaction at the court function for the Egyptians, she defied his expectation of her yet again. Her words were fairly brazen and if the trend had continued, he was beginning to sort her into the same category as her aunt Eirini - but not quite to that level. She was young and at first, had seemed to be using him the way a kitten might try its hunting skills on smaller, inconsequential prey. However, the immediate change to looking away and resuming a less teasing and more sweet disposition threw this supposition into confusion.
There didn’t seem to be artiface when she glanced at him this time and looked away again. Her whole face lit with surprise at his own, much more inane question (and purposefully designed one) of steering them away from what looked to be banter. Obviously she didn’t mean it but he thought that perhaps if she used it on someone who might take it seriously, she might be in some danger if she wasn’t in earnest herself, and might find that she was leading on some lord or other. That mistake had come back to bite a few girls he knew.
Then she brought back the teasing and he exhaled a short, quiet laugh and looked down at the reins in his hand. She would find herself in real trouble some day with all this accidental flirting she was doing. It was confirmed accidental when she went on to state that she didn’t feel quite at home in the capitol. When she confessed it was boring, he gave shrug and moved his horse up closer.
“Boring is a state of mind.”
His mare fell into step with her mount, matching the same gait. He looked over at her. “I would also add that the term ‘boring’ is a little too liberally applied. Especially when it depends on the source applying it.” Here he was thinking of a few of his own class and friends who frequently accused him of being boring. He knew Iason was considered an incredible bore by the standards of Vasiliadon, even more than himself. But Iason was a tender, gentle soul. Those sorts of people were eaten alive in the city.
He was content to ride with her without speaking for the entire time that they chose to be out here. The natural stillness of the air, the soft tendrils of gold tinted clouds drifting across the sky, and the birds flitting about above them were enough to occupy his attention. Well. Those and more. No matter where they went, his gaze slid hither and thither, missing no hiding place or cataloging where some creature might be found. His purpose in this was not necessarily to hunt them, but if the desire should ever arise, he would know what sort of game was where and went to go looking for it.
Occasionally he glanced over at her but never in a shy, fleeting way. It was always to assess her state and to see if she still wanted to continue. Otherwise he kept his gaze forward.
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 kept his gaze upward but it dropped like a stone as soon as she’d said she didn’t believe him. The expression wasn’t offended, but more he wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this girl. She spoke in a familiar way like they knew each other better than they did and, what was more, her speech was a bit shocking. Not, of course, that it was too shocking for him to hear but rather he was surprised she even knew to say it. As she went on, he was careful to keep his face perfectly neutral to what she was saying. There were no horses strong enough in Greece to drag out of him an answer to her question of how he knew.
He’d been her age once and a lot less wise than he was now.
Like their first real interaction at the court function for the Egyptians, she defied his expectation of her yet again. Her words were fairly brazen and if the trend had continued, he was beginning to sort her into the same category as her aunt Eirini - but not quite to that level. She was young and at first, had seemed to be using him the way a kitten might try its hunting skills on smaller, inconsequential prey. However, the immediate change to looking away and resuming a less teasing and more sweet disposition threw this supposition into confusion.
There didn’t seem to be artiface when she glanced at him this time and looked away again. Her whole face lit with surprise at his own, much more inane question (and purposefully designed one) of steering them away from what looked to be banter. Obviously she didn’t mean it but he thought that perhaps if she used it on someone who might take it seriously, she might be in some danger if she wasn’t in earnest herself, and might find that she was leading on some lord or other. That mistake had come back to bite a few girls he knew.
Then she brought back the teasing and he exhaled a short, quiet laugh and looked down at the reins in his hand. She would find herself in real trouble some day with all this accidental flirting she was doing. It was confirmed accidental when she went on to state that she didn’t feel quite at home in the capitol. When she confessed it was boring, he gave shrug and moved his horse up closer.
“Boring is a state of mind.”
His mare fell into step with her mount, matching the same gait. He looked over at her. “I would also add that the term ‘boring’ is a little too liberally applied. Especially when it depends on the source applying it.” Here he was thinking of a few of his own class and friends who frequently accused him of being boring. He knew Iason was considered an incredible bore by the standards of Vasiliadon, even more than himself. But Iason was a tender, gentle soul. Those sorts of people were eaten alive in the city.
He was content to ride with her without speaking for the entire time that they chose to be out here. The natural stillness of the air, the soft tendrils of gold tinted clouds drifting across the sky, and the birds flitting about above them were enough to occupy his attention. Well. Those and more. No matter where they went, his gaze slid hither and thither, missing no hiding place or cataloging where some creature might be found. His purpose in this was not necessarily to hunt them, but if the desire should ever arise, he would know what sort of game was where and went to go looking for it.
Occasionally he glanced over at her but never in a shy, fleeting way. It was always to assess her state and to see if she still wanted to continue. Otherwise he kept his gaze forward.
He’d kept his gaze upward but it dropped like a stone as soon as she’d said she didn’t believe him. The expression wasn’t offended, but more he wasn’t entirely sure what to make of this girl. She spoke in a familiar way like they knew each other better than they did and, what was more, her speech was a bit shocking. Not, of course, that it was too shocking for him to hear but rather he was surprised she even knew to say it. As she went on, he was careful to keep his face perfectly neutral to what she was saying. There were no horses strong enough in Greece to drag out of him an answer to her question of how he knew.
He’d been her age once and a lot less wise than he was now.
Like their first real interaction at the court function for the Egyptians, she defied his expectation of her yet again. Her words were fairly brazen and if the trend had continued, he was beginning to sort her into the same category as her aunt Eirini - but not quite to that level. She was young and at first, had seemed to be using him the way a kitten might try its hunting skills on smaller, inconsequential prey. However, the immediate change to looking away and resuming a less teasing and more sweet disposition threw this supposition into confusion.
There didn’t seem to be artiface when she glanced at him this time and looked away again. Her whole face lit with surprise at his own, much more inane question (and purposefully designed one) of steering them away from what looked to be banter. Obviously she didn’t mean it but he thought that perhaps if she used it on someone who might take it seriously, she might be in some danger if she wasn’t in earnest herself, and might find that she was leading on some lord or other. That mistake had come back to bite a few girls he knew.
Then she brought back the teasing and he exhaled a short, quiet laugh and looked down at the reins in his hand. She would find herself in real trouble some day with all this accidental flirting she was doing. It was confirmed accidental when she went on to state that she didn’t feel quite at home in the capitol. When she confessed it was boring, he gave shrug and moved his horse up closer.
“Boring is a state of mind.”
His mare fell into step with her mount, matching the same gait. He looked over at her. “I would also add that the term ‘boring’ is a little too liberally applied. Especially when it depends on the source applying it.” Here he was thinking of a few of his own class and friends who frequently accused him of being boring. He knew Iason was considered an incredible bore by the standards of Vasiliadon, even more than himself. But Iason was a tender, gentle soul. Those sorts of people were eaten alive in the city.
He was content to ride with her without speaking for the entire time that they chose to be out here. The natural stillness of the air, the soft tendrils of gold tinted clouds drifting across the sky, and the birds flitting about above them were enough to occupy his attention. Well. Those and more. No matter where they went, his gaze slid hither and thither, missing no hiding place or cataloging where some creature might be found. His purpose in this was not necessarily to hunt them, but if the desire should ever arise, he would know what sort of game was where and went to go looking for it.
Occasionally he glanced over at her but never in a shy, fleeting way. It was always to assess her state and to see if she still wanted to continue. Otherwise he kept his gaze forward.
The surprise on his face at her produced another warmed laugh to float out of her. People tended to have a rather set idea of who she was, and then they spoke with her. Tucking her chin to her chest she smiled to herself. Her parents were had told her on more than one occasion that she had the ability to curl someone’s nose hair with her the things that she said.
Just because she had wallflower tendencies didn’t mean she was some sort of quiet or reserved sort of girl. That really was about as far from the truth as possible. She wasn’t shy or bashful, or well… sweet really. But the look in Lord Gavriil’s eyes as he studied her was like he was seeing her for the first time. Had her toes just curled a little? Biting her lip, she cheekily looked away. It had to be the banter. She must be getting carried away a little.
‘Boring is a state of mind.’
She blinked and looked at him curiously as his mare fell into step with her and Altair. He met her gaze and she stilled in the saddle.
‘I would also add that the term ‘boring’ is a little too liberally applied. Especially when it depends on the source applying it.’
Her faint smile formed then and she looked away. He was right and she knew it. It was a state of mind, and he was also right about the liberal use of the word. Had he been anyone else she might have seen a compliment in his words… except he’d already proven that what he said wasn’t filled with double meanings.
“You’re right, I’ll concede that.” Evie ventured another look at him. She navigated Altair, around a sage shrub and continued. “People use it liberally because it is easier. We shy away from having to see the details. It’s easier to take a glance, form an opinion, and if it doesn’t hold someone’s interest to claim it is boring.” Her gaze was focused off in the distance, “But there is always more to it than what we see in that glance. Everything that glitters is not gold…” She smiled then, turning to him. “And diamonds do not always shine. It’s always better to take a deeper look at everything.”
Realizing how her words might have sounded, she shifted a little uncomfortable in the saddle. Maybe she’d meant her? Or maybe she meant him? Or maybe they weren’t even talking about people. The quietness left her thoughts to flood. She cleared her throat softly. “We aren’t really burning off any energy at this pace…” Sliding a raised eyebrow at him, “I assume you are still young enough to be able to keep pace with me?” Evie’s lips curved upwards in a dimpled half-smile as she goaded him.
A soft click of her tongue and she slipped into a canter, there wasn’t much of a point of riding a spectacular horse if all you were going to do was amble along. Glancing over her shoulder, to check on him before she dropped the reins and let Altair unfold himself. At this pace, the conversation was impossible and thinking too much about what she might have said, or did say, or could have said faded away.
The smell of the ocean was near and it wouldn’t be long before they would top the hill that would bring them to the coastline cliffs overlooking the sea. She started the slow pulling up of Altair, bring him gradually back down to a walk. Her hair had started its rebellion from the braid and curling around her face.
Looking over to Lord Gavriil, her lips pursed. Another nose hair curling questions sitting on the edge of her tongue. When had she ever thought twice about asking a question? Never.
“You were married and happy, right?” She pinned him with a curious look. “Do you mind if I ask what made it a happy marriage?”
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 surprise on his face at her produced another warmed laugh to float out of her. People tended to have a rather set idea of who she was, and then they spoke with her. Tucking her chin to her chest she smiled to herself. Her parents were had told her on more than one occasion that she had the ability to curl someone’s nose hair with her the things that she said.
Just because she had wallflower tendencies didn’t mean she was some sort of quiet or reserved sort of girl. That really was about as far from the truth as possible. She wasn’t shy or bashful, or well… sweet really. But the look in Lord Gavriil’s eyes as he studied her was like he was seeing her for the first time. Had her toes just curled a little? Biting her lip, she cheekily looked away. It had to be the banter. She must be getting carried away a little.
‘Boring is a state of mind.’
She blinked and looked at him curiously as his mare fell into step with her and Altair. He met her gaze and she stilled in the saddle.
‘I would also add that the term ‘boring’ is a little too liberally applied. Especially when it depends on the source applying it.’
Her faint smile formed then and she looked away. He was right and she knew it. It was a state of mind, and he was also right about the liberal use of the word. Had he been anyone else she might have seen a compliment in his words… except he’d already proven that what he said wasn’t filled with double meanings.
“You’re right, I’ll concede that.” Evie ventured another look at him. She navigated Altair, around a sage shrub and continued. “People use it liberally because it is easier. We shy away from having to see the details. It’s easier to take a glance, form an opinion, and if it doesn’t hold someone’s interest to claim it is boring.” Her gaze was focused off in the distance, “But there is always more to it than what we see in that glance. Everything that glitters is not gold…” She smiled then, turning to him. “And diamonds do not always shine. It’s always better to take a deeper look at everything.”
Realizing how her words might have sounded, she shifted a little uncomfortable in the saddle. Maybe she’d meant her? Or maybe she meant him? Or maybe they weren’t even talking about people. The quietness left her thoughts to flood. She cleared her throat softly. “We aren’t really burning off any energy at this pace…” Sliding a raised eyebrow at him, “I assume you are still young enough to be able to keep pace with me?” Evie’s lips curved upwards in a dimpled half-smile as she goaded him.
A soft click of her tongue and she slipped into a canter, there wasn’t much of a point of riding a spectacular horse if all you were going to do was amble along. Glancing over her shoulder, to check on him before she dropped the reins and let Altair unfold himself. At this pace, the conversation was impossible and thinking too much about what she might have said, or did say, or could have said faded away.
The smell of the ocean was near and it wouldn’t be long before they would top the hill that would bring them to the coastline cliffs overlooking the sea. She started the slow pulling up of Altair, bring him gradually back down to a walk. Her hair had started its rebellion from the braid and curling around her face.
Looking over to Lord Gavriil, her lips pursed. Another nose hair curling questions sitting on the edge of her tongue. When had she ever thought twice about asking a question? Never.
“You were married and happy, right?” She pinned him with a curious look. “Do you mind if I ask what made it a happy marriage?”
The surprise on his face at her produced another warmed laugh to float out of her. People tended to have a rather set idea of who she was, and then they spoke with her. Tucking her chin to her chest she smiled to herself. Her parents were had told her on more than one occasion that she had the ability to curl someone’s nose hair with her the things that she said.
Just because she had wallflower tendencies didn’t mean she was some sort of quiet or reserved sort of girl. That really was about as far from the truth as possible. She wasn’t shy or bashful, or well… sweet really. But the look in Lord Gavriil’s eyes as he studied her was like he was seeing her for the first time. Had her toes just curled a little? Biting her lip, she cheekily looked away. It had to be the banter. She must be getting carried away a little.
‘Boring is a state of mind.’
She blinked and looked at him curiously as his mare fell into step with her and Altair. He met her gaze and she stilled in the saddle.
‘I would also add that the term ‘boring’ is a little too liberally applied. Especially when it depends on the source applying it.’
Her faint smile formed then and she looked away. He was right and she knew it. It was a state of mind, and he was also right about the liberal use of the word. Had he been anyone else she might have seen a compliment in his words… except he’d already proven that what he said wasn’t filled with double meanings.
“You’re right, I’ll concede that.” Evie ventured another look at him. She navigated Altair, around a sage shrub and continued. “People use it liberally because it is easier. We shy away from having to see the details. It’s easier to take a glance, form an opinion, and if it doesn’t hold someone’s interest to claim it is boring.” Her gaze was focused off in the distance, “But there is always more to it than what we see in that glance. Everything that glitters is not gold…” She smiled then, turning to him. “And diamonds do not always shine. It’s always better to take a deeper look at everything.”
Realizing how her words might have sounded, she shifted a little uncomfortable in the saddle. Maybe she’d meant her? Or maybe she meant him? Or maybe they weren’t even talking about people. The quietness left her thoughts to flood. She cleared her throat softly. “We aren’t really burning off any energy at this pace…” Sliding a raised eyebrow at him, “I assume you are still young enough to be able to keep pace with me?” Evie’s lips curved upwards in a dimpled half-smile as she goaded him.
A soft click of her tongue and she slipped into a canter, there wasn’t much of a point of riding a spectacular horse if all you were going to do was amble along. Glancing over her shoulder, to check on him before she dropped the reins and let Altair unfold himself. At this pace, the conversation was impossible and thinking too much about what she might have said, or did say, or could have said faded away.
The smell of the ocean was near and it wouldn’t be long before they would top the hill that would bring them to the coastline cliffs overlooking the sea. She started the slow pulling up of Altair, bring him gradually back down to a walk. Her hair had started its rebellion from the braid and curling around her face.
Looking over to Lord Gavriil, her lips pursed. Another nose hair curling questions sitting on the edge of her tongue. When had she ever thought twice about asking a question? Never.
“You were married and happy, right?” She pinned him with a curious look. “Do you mind if I ask what made it a happy marriage?”
He nodded in agreement with her addition to what he’d said. When she mentioned the diamonds and gold, he’d nodded to this as well, assuming she meant a nebulous ‘someone’ rather than either of them. Although he wondered if she, personally, formed opinions at a glance because it was easier. He hoped not. People tended to lie, to suit themselves and their own agendas. He rarely believed carte blanche what someone told him.
The silence was eventually broken when she mentioned that this walk couldn’t be enough to satisfy their horses but he did allow a look of shock to cross his face when she called him old and then raced off. For a second, he kept his mare at a walk, just like they had been. However, his grip on the reins relaxed and as soon as he let her, she exploded forward in a bright red blur.
The horse galloped her way toward Evangelina’s horse, clearly intent on a race and Gavriil did nothing to stop her. Clearly this was the horse, after all. She was the one that needed the exercise. Being so young and full of energy. He did grin to himself though as he tore past her. Obviously the grin was due to the fact that he loved to ride. Or perhaps it was the thrill of the speed. Or pride of his horse’s fluid gate.
He let his horse charge where she would and her pace naturally slowed a fraction as she climbed the hill that overlooked the ocean. Tugging on the reins, he forced the mare to ease down to a trot, then a walk until he and Evangelina were side by side again, both a bit windblown, with flushed faces. Gavriil had managed to get his expression under control and was now back to his usual, quiet self.
There’d been no competition. Clearly.
Their horses meandered along the line of the cliffs. His mare’s sides heaved but she had a prance in her step. She was happy to have been able to run like that. Gavriil shifted in his saddle and did not see Evangelina’s expression before she sprang her questions. He was a tad surprised at the question - not for the question’s own sake, but for the abruptness of it and how it connected to absolutely nothing they’d spoken of thus far.
“I was, yes,” he said without any hint of upset. That was a long time ago and while he missed his wife, he didn’t obsess over someone he could no longer have. She had a look in her eye that he didn’t know how to interpret when she asked her next question. “We…” he thought back. He could still see Sybil standing next to her father. The sun was a halo along the crown of her dark hair and her eyes were vividly blue in the shadow along her face. “We got on well,” he said and nodded. This was starting to feel distinctly like the conversation that Iason had tried to ask before he went off to Athenia and Gavriil was already decided that he would not be explaining that to Evangelina Leventi. Ava, her mother could do it infinitely better.
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 nodded in agreement with her addition to what he’d said. When she mentioned the diamonds and gold, he’d nodded to this as well, assuming she meant a nebulous ‘someone’ rather than either of them. Although he wondered if she, personally, formed opinions at a glance because it was easier. He hoped not. People tended to lie, to suit themselves and their own agendas. He rarely believed carte blanche what someone told him.
The silence was eventually broken when she mentioned that this walk couldn’t be enough to satisfy their horses but he did allow a look of shock to cross his face when she called him old and then raced off. For a second, he kept his mare at a walk, just like they had been. However, his grip on the reins relaxed and as soon as he let her, she exploded forward in a bright red blur.
The horse galloped her way toward Evangelina’s horse, clearly intent on a race and Gavriil did nothing to stop her. Clearly this was the horse, after all. She was the one that needed the exercise. Being so young and full of energy. He did grin to himself though as he tore past her. Obviously the grin was due to the fact that he loved to ride. Or perhaps it was the thrill of the speed. Or pride of his horse’s fluid gate.
He let his horse charge where she would and her pace naturally slowed a fraction as she climbed the hill that overlooked the ocean. Tugging on the reins, he forced the mare to ease down to a trot, then a walk until he and Evangelina were side by side again, both a bit windblown, with flushed faces. Gavriil had managed to get his expression under control and was now back to his usual, quiet self.
There’d been no competition. Clearly.
Their horses meandered along the line of the cliffs. His mare’s sides heaved but she had a prance in her step. She was happy to have been able to run like that. Gavriil shifted in his saddle and did not see Evangelina’s expression before she sprang her questions. He was a tad surprised at the question - not for the question’s own sake, but for the abruptness of it and how it connected to absolutely nothing they’d spoken of thus far.
“I was, yes,” he said without any hint of upset. That was a long time ago and while he missed his wife, he didn’t obsess over someone he could no longer have. She had a look in her eye that he didn’t know how to interpret when she asked her next question. “We…” he thought back. He could still see Sybil standing next to her father. The sun was a halo along the crown of her dark hair and her eyes were vividly blue in the shadow along her face. “We got on well,” he said and nodded. This was starting to feel distinctly like the conversation that Iason had tried to ask before he went off to Athenia and Gavriil was already decided that he would not be explaining that to Evangelina Leventi. Ava, her mother could do it infinitely better.
He nodded in agreement with her addition to what he’d said. When she mentioned the diamonds and gold, he’d nodded to this as well, assuming she meant a nebulous ‘someone’ rather than either of them. Although he wondered if she, personally, formed opinions at a glance because it was easier. He hoped not. People tended to lie, to suit themselves and their own agendas. He rarely believed carte blanche what someone told him.
The silence was eventually broken when she mentioned that this walk couldn’t be enough to satisfy their horses but he did allow a look of shock to cross his face when she called him old and then raced off. For a second, he kept his mare at a walk, just like they had been. However, his grip on the reins relaxed and as soon as he let her, she exploded forward in a bright red blur.
The horse galloped her way toward Evangelina’s horse, clearly intent on a race and Gavriil did nothing to stop her. Clearly this was the horse, after all. She was the one that needed the exercise. Being so young and full of energy. He did grin to himself though as he tore past her. Obviously the grin was due to the fact that he loved to ride. Or perhaps it was the thrill of the speed. Or pride of his horse’s fluid gate.
He let his horse charge where she would and her pace naturally slowed a fraction as she climbed the hill that overlooked the ocean. Tugging on the reins, he forced the mare to ease down to a trot, then a walk until he and Evangelina were side by side again, both a bit windblown, with flushed faces. Gavriil had managed to get his expression under control and was now back to his usual, quiet self.
There’d been no competition. Clearly.
Their horses meandered along the line of the cliffs. His mare’s sides heaved but she had a prance in her step. She was happy to have been able to run like that. Gavriil shifted in his saddle and did not see Evangelina’s expression before she sprang her questions. He was a tad surprised at the question - not for the question’s own sake, but for the abruptness of it and how it connected to absolutely nothing they’d spoken of thus far.
“I was, yes,” he said without any hint of upset. That was a long time ago and while he missed his wife, he didn’t obsess over someone he could no longer have. She had a look in her eye that he didn’t know how to interpret when she asked her next question. “We…” he thought back. He could still see Sybil standing next to her father. The sun was a halo along the crown of her dark hair and her eyes were vividly blue in the shadow along her face. “We got on well,” he said and nodded. This was starting to feel distinctly like the conversation that Iason had tried to ask before he went off to Athenia and Gavriil was already decided that he would not be explaining that to Evangelina Leventi. Ava, her mother could do it infinitely better.
The world blurred as Altair settled into ever-lengthening strides. The gray was starting to put some distance between him and Lord Gavriil’s mare when the sound of hooves quickly approaching generated a laugh from her. Her goading had worked. Twisting a little, she watched as he burst past her. So that was the game he wanted to play, huh?
Dropping her face so that it was almost buried in the silvery stallion’s mane. Altair’s ears twitched at the passing of the other horse and he lurched forward after them attempting to keep pace. Stretched out, he might have enjoyed his time of running free if he’d not been behind the other pair.
Flying up the hill after Lord Gavriil, she slowed the stallion to a walk next to him. Altair’s head swung up in down in silent argument of the results of that race. He wasn’t as young as he’d once been, the lack of hills and living in Vasiliadon had softened him more then he’d ever want to believe, but even for his age, Altair would have run his heart out for her if she’d asked it.
Sneaking a glance at Lord Gavriil, looking rumpled and happy filled her with a warm, fuzzy feeling. She didn’t know why making him happy lifted her spirits so much. It seemed to be a reoccurring theme in their meetings. As competitive as she was, had it been just about anyone else she’d have wanted dearly for a rematch to that race. At the moment, she was content. Looking to him, Evie smirked, “Proud of yourself?” Delivering a dimpled smile, she softly shook her head and patted Altair who was still blowing a bit hard. “I know, old man… But you still have a lot of good years left in you.”
The amble along the cliffs slowed to an almost lazy speed as the horses came down from the high of the gallop. She loosed the reins and let them drop onto Altair’s neck as she settled more comfortably in the saddle. Her question might have seemed so far out of the realm of what they’d been discussing, but the truth was marriage as of late was something that was constantly lingering in the back of her mind. And slowing down, it brought it back to her mind.
She knew her parents' marriage was, for the most part, a happy marriage and she’d seen other marriages that were happy but it left questions in her mind about the workings of a marriage. Not necessarily the intimate sexual parts of marriage but the cogs on the wheel that made a happy marriage.
‘I was, yes.’ It didn’t seem like a sensitive topic with him. Somehow that surprised her, he seemed like a rather private individual and yet he trusted her enough to speak about something that by all accounts should have been something private. So, she asked the questions that had her curious. For him, what had made it happy? Her sharp, mink brown eyes studied him closely, curiously as he answered her. ‘We…’ His answer trailed off, and she could tell for the moment he was somewhere else. Evangelina bit her bottom lip, was it too much to hope that one day someone would think of her and get that same softness in their face? ‘We got on well…’
Blinking her eyes for a moment, letting the answer wash over her before she smiled softly and nodded her head in understanding. It was the same with her parents and was all but the same thing her mother had told her about what she hoped for Evie in her marriage. Inhaling a deep breath of the salty sea air, she closed her eyes, taking in the moment.
After a moment of silence, she looked to him again, “Were you happy enough that you’d do it again if ever the right person came along?” Catching her bottom lip between her teeth she worried on it before dropping her gaze and flicking it out to the sea and added, “After Theodora is married, I’ll be bumped up on the list…I suppose I am asking the questions to get a better understanding of what makes it a happy union instead of an unhappy one.” Her face softened, she smiled though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Curiosity seems to be a habit I am having a hard time breaking.”
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 world blurred as Altair settled into ever-lengthening strides. The gray was starting to put some distance between him and Lord Gavriil’s mare when the sound of hooves quickly approaching generated a laugh from her. Her goading had worked. Twisting a little, she watched as he burst past her. So that was the game he wanted to play, huh?
Dropping her face so that it was almost buried in the silvery stallion’s mane. Altair’s ears twitched at the passing of the other horse and he lurched forward after them attempting to keep pace. Stretched out, he might have enjoyed his time of running free if he’d not been behind the other pair.
Flying up the hill after Lord Gavriil, she slowed the stallion to a walk next to him. Altair’s head swung up in down in silent argument of the results of that race. He wasn’t as young as he’d once been, the lack of hills and living in Vasiliadon had softened him more then he’d ever want to believe, but even for his age, Altair would have run his heart out for her if she’d asked it.
Sneaking a glance at Lord Gavriil, looking rumpled and happy filled her with a warm, fuzzy feeling. She didn’t know why making him happy lifted her spirits so much. It seemed to be a reoccurring theme in their meetings. As competitive as she was, had it been just about anyone else she’d have wanted dearly for a rematch to that race. At the moment, she was content. Looking to him, Evie smirked, “Proud of yourself?” Delivering a dimpled smile, she softly shook her head and patted Altair who was still blowing a bit hard. “I know, old man… But you still have a lot of good years left in you.”
The amble along the cliffs slowed to an almost lazy speed as the horses came down from the high of the gallop. She loosed the reins and let them drop onto Altair’s neck as she settled more comfortably in the saddle. Her question might have seemed so far out of the realm of what they’d been discussing, but the truth was marriage as of late was something that was constantly lingering in the back of her mind. And slowing down, it brought it back to her mind.
She knew her parents' marriage was, for the most part, a happy marriage and she’d seen other marriages that were happy but it left questions in her mind about the workings of a marriage. Not necessarily the intimate sexual parts of marriage but the cogs on the wheel that made a happy marriage.
‘I was, yes.’ It didn’t seem like a sensitive topic with him. Somehow that surprised her, he seemed like a rather private individual and yet he trusted her enough to speak about something that by all accounts should have been something private. So, she asked the questions that had her curious. For him, what had made it happy? Her sharp, mink brown eyes studied him closely, curiously as he answered her. ‘We…’ His answer trailed off, and she could tell for the moment he was somewhere else. Evangelina bit her bottom lip, was it too much to hope that one day someone would think of her and get that same softness in their face? ‘We got on well…’
Blinking her eyes for a moment, letting the answer wash over her before she smiled softly and nodded her head in understanding. It was the same with her parents and was all but the same thing her mother had told her about what she hoped for Evie in her marriage. Inhaling a deep breath of the salty sea air, she closed her eyes, taking in the moment.
After a moment of silence, she looked to him again, “Were you happy enough that you’d do it again if ever the right person came along?” Catching her bottom lip between her teeth she worried on it before dropping her gaze and flicking it out to the sea and added, “After Theodora is married, I’ll be bumped up on the list…I suppose I am asking the questions to get a better understanding of what makes it a happy union instead of an unhappy one.” Her face softened, she smiled though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Curiosity seems to be a habit I am having a hard time breaking.”
The world blurred as Altair settled into ever-lengthening strides. The gray was starting to put some distance between him and Lord Gavriil’s mare when the sound of hooves quickly approaching generated a laugh from her. Her goading had worked. Twisting a little, she watched as he burst past her. So that was the game he wanted to play, huh?
Dropping her face so that it was almost buried in the silvery stallion’s mane. Altair’s ears twitched at the passing of the other horse and he lurched forward after them attempting to keep pace. Stretched out, he might have enjoyed his time of running free if he’d not been behind the other pair.
Flying up the hill after Lord Gavriil, she slowed the stallion to a walk next to him. Altair’s head swung up in down in silent argument of the results of that race. He wasn’t as young as he’d once been, the lack of hills and living in Vasiliadon had softened him more then he’d ever want to believe, but even for his age, Altair would have run his heart out for her if she’d asked it.
Sneaking a glance at Lord Gavriil, looking rumpled and happy filled her with a warm, fuzzy feeling. She didn’t know why making him happy lifted her spirits so much. It seemed to be a reoccurring theme in their meetings. As competitive as she was, had it been just about anyone else she’d have wanted dearly for a rematch to that race. At the moment, she was content. Looking to him, Evie smirked, “Proud of yourself?” Delivering a dimpled smile, she softly shook her head and patted Altair who was still blowing a bit hard. “I know, old man… But you still have a lot of good years left in you.”
The amble along the cliffs slowed to an almost lazy speed as the horses came down from the high of the gallop. She loosed the reins and let them drop onto Altair’s neck as she settled more comfortably in the saddle. Her question might have seemed so far out of the realm of what they’d been discussing, but the truth was marriage as of late was something that was constantly lingering in the back of her mind. And slowing down, it brought it back to her mind.
She knew her parents' marriage was, for the most part, a happy marriage and she’d seen other marriages that were happy but it left questions in her mind about the workings of a marriage. Not necessarily the intimate sexual parts of marriage but the cogs on the wheel that made a happy marriage.
‘I was, yes.’ It didn’t seem like a sensitive topic with him. Somehow that surprised her, he seemed like a rather private individual and yet he trusted her enough to speak about something that by all accounts should have been something private. So, she asked the questions that had her curious. For him, what had made it happy? Her sharp, mink brown eyes studied him closely, curiously as he answered her. ‘We…’ His answer trailed off, and she could tell for the moment he was somewhere else. Evangelina bit her bottom lip, was it too much to hope that one day someone would think of her and get that same softness in their face? ‘We got on well…’
Blinking her eyes for a moment, letting the answer wash over her before she smiled softly and nodded her head in understanding. It was the same with her parents and was all but the same thing her mother had told her about what she hoped for Evie in her marriage. Inhaling a deep breath of the salty sea air, she closed her eyes, taking in the moment.
After a moment of silence, she looked to him again, “Were you happy enough that you’d do it again if ever the right person came along?” Catching her bottom lip between her teeth she worried on it before dropping her gaze and flicking it out to the sea and added, “After Theodora is married, I’ll be bumped up on the list…I suppose I am asking the questions to get a better understanding of what makes it a happy union instead of an unhappy one.” Her face softened, she smiled though it didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Curiosity seems to be a habit I am having a hard time breaking.”
He watched for her response to this and was pleased that she seemed to be absorbing it and taking it in as she ought to. Good. He’d misread the situation and had obviously overestimated her curiosity. Of course she wasn’t asking him anything about what happens in marriage. That would be, not only incredibly forward, but odd, too. After all, they weren’t strangers, but they didn’t know a lot about each other either. Such a thing would be improper at best and could get him into trouble with her parents at worst if she was to reveal to them that there’d been an untoward conversation between them.
Probably Konstanos would not approve of his daughter riding alone anyway. It didn’t sound like anyone knew where she was. Gavriil being here was a helpful thing. Just as he was aware of other people’s reputations, he knew his own too and had lived his life in such a way as to make reputation meet reality. It was unlikely that anyone would accuse him of doing something harmful in anyway to Evangelina but still. He didn’t want rumors to start. Those had an awful habit of growing disproportionately.
Just as he was certain that the conversation had not turned in a poor direction, Evangelina prompted another question, this one more probing than the last. It was actually one he’d dealt with before, though, to be frank, not in a long time. They’d ridden in a few moments of silence along the cliffs. He took the opportunity now to look away from her and out toward the ocean they rode past. The water was vast and the sky gold tinged on the edges. Sunrise was already upon them, brilliant and calm.
“I wish Dorothea was as interested in the subject of marriage as you seem to be,” he said once he looked back at her, fixing his blue gaze on hers. As the horses walked along, he didn’t look away from her. “Unhappiness in a marriage can be easily avoided if the partners are correctly matched from the start.” Once he was sure that she’d heard him, he did at last return his eyes to the grassy path in front of them. “Your father isn’t an unkind man. I do not believe he will force you to wed someone you do not wish to.”
He wouldn’t do that to his own daughters and didn’t like to think that her father would. Fotios? Probably. She, however, had the good luck to be born into the only Leventi line with a male heir. He was pretty sure that she would land on her feet.
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 watched for her response to this and was pleased that she seemed to be absorbing it and taking it in as she ought to. Good. He’d misread the situation and had obviously overestimated her curiosity. Of course she wasn’t asking him anything about what happens in marriage. That would be, not only incredibly forward, but odd, too. After all, they weren’t strangers, but they didn’t know a lot about each other either. Such a thing would be improper at best and could get him into trouble with her parents at worst if she was to reveal to them that there’d been an untoward conversation between them.
Probably Konstanos would not approve of his daughter riding alone anyway. It didn’t sound like anyone knew where she was. Gavriil being here was a helpful thing. Just as he was aware of other people’s reputations, he knew his own too and had lived his life in such a way as to make reputation meet reality. It was unlikely that anyone would accuse him of doing something harmful in anyway to Evangelina but still. He didn’t want rumors to start. Those had an awful habit of growing disproportionately.
Just as he was certain that the conversation had not turned in a poor direction, Evangelina prompted another question, this one more probing than the last. It was actually one he’d dealt with before, though, to be frank, not in a long time. They’d ridden in a few moments of silence along the cliffs. He took the opportunity now to look away from her and out toward the ocean they rode past. The water was vast and the sky gold tinged on the edges. Sunrise was already upon them, brilliant and calm.
“I wish Dorothea was as interested in the subject of marriage as you seem to be,” he said once he looked back at her, fixing his blue gaze on hers. As the horses walked along, he didn’t look away from her. “Unhappiness in a marriage can be easily avoided if the partners are correctly matched from the start.” Once he was sure that she’d heard him, he did at last return his eyes to the grassy path in front of them. “Your father isn’t an unkind man. I do not believe he will force you to wed someone you do not wish to.”
He wouldn’t do that to his own daughters and didn’t like to think that her father would. Fotios? Probably. She, however, had the good luck to be born into the only Leventi line with a male heir. He was pretty sure that she would land on her feet.
He watched for her response to this and was pleased that she seemed to be absorbing it and taking it in as she ought to. Good. He’d misread the situation and had obviously overestimated her curiosity. Of course she wasn’t asking him anything about what happens in marriage. That would be, not only incredibly forward, but odd, too. After all, they weren’t strangers, but they didn’t know a lot about each other either. Such a thing would be improper at best and could get him into trouble with her parents at worst if she was to reveal to them that there’d been an untoward conversation between them.
Probably Konstanos would not approve of his daughter riding alone anyway. It didn’t sound like anyone knew where she was. Gavriil being here was a helpful thing. Just as he was aware of other people’s reputations, he knew his own too and had lived his life in such a way as to make reputation meet reality. It was unlikely that anyone would accuse him of doing something harmful in anyway to Evangelina but still. He didn’t want rumors to start. Those had an awful habit of growing disproportionately.
Just as he was certain that the conversation had not turned in a poor direction, Evangelina prompted another question, this one more probing than the last. It was actually one he’d dealt with before, though, to be frank, not in a long time. They’d ridden in a few moments of silence along the cliffs. He took the opportunity now to look away from her and out toward the ocean they rode past. The water was vast and the sky gold tinged on the edges. Sunrise was already upon them, brilliant and calm.
“I wish Dorothea was as interested in the subject of marriage as you seem to be,” he said once he looked back at her, fixing his blue gaze on hers. As the horses walked along, he didn’t look away from her. “Unhappiness in a marriage can be easily avoided if the partners are correctly matched from the start.” Once he was sure that she’d heard him, he did at last return his eyes to the grassy path in front of them. “Your father isn’t an unkind man. I do not believe he will force you to wed someone you do not wish to.”
He wouldn’t do that to his own daughters and didn’t like to think that her father would. Fotios? Probably. She, however, had the good luck to be born into the only Leventi line with a male heir. He was pretty sure that she would land on her feet.
‘I wish Dorothea was as interested in the subject of marriage as you seem to be…’
It didn’t escape her notice that he’d avoided answering her question by redirecting the conversation to his daughter. Did he think he was playing with a child in his conversation? He’d fixed his gaze on her, but instead of meeting those too observant storm blue eyes Evangelina tried to focus on not giving away to much of her own thoughts. It’d always been a struggle for her, maybe she could keep people from her truths on her face, but she’d not managed to keep it from her eyes. Almost every thought, every truth or lie, every happiness, and every heartbreak was filtered through her eyes.
“Lady Dorothea is fortunate.” Her fingers twiddled the long silver mane of her mount. She didn’t say it but the meaning lingered in her soft words that things were not quite as simple as they appeared to him in regards to her. His gaze was still fixed on her as he continued, ‘Unhappiness in a marriage can be easily avoided if the partners are correctly matched from the start.’
Inhaling, she worked up the nerve then to meet his gaze. It was fleeting but tender. She didn’t know if it saddened her that there wasn’t some miracle fix all. It was a bit depressing. They weren’t a surprise. He wasn’t the first to tell her something similar. It simply depended upon the two people in the marriage. Realizing she’d heard him and understood, his gaze broke but he continued speaking.
‘Your father isn’t an unkind man. I do not believe he will force you to wed someone you do not wish to.’
Her spirits fell with his words. She might have been the younger of the two of them but she had a greater grasp on the facts of life, especially the facts of life as a Leventi. It was… sweet that he held onto the idea that she’d be fine. He obviously did not know her family. The brazen girl who’d been asking questions had suddenly grown very quiet, shadows had appeared in her dark eyes and she avoided making any eye contact with him.
Settling her leaden body a little deeper into the saddle, she let the conversation die. Partly lost in the thoughts of the things he’d said and partly lost in the truths that she knew about her family. Fotios wanted to see her broken. She’d seen it in her uncle’s eyes the day he’d told her that she was to leave Acharist. Her father wasn’t unkind but in regards to his brother, there is little he would do to stand against him. She blinked, something inside her was near crumbling. Biting on her bottom lip, she could feel the salty metal taste of blood from the force she’d bitten it with. It was enough to keep her focused, to keep her from breaking down.
Tilting her head, she feigned interest in the ground for a moment… just long enough to sneakily swipe the pad of her thumb across her lip and wipe away any red that might have lingered there. Clearing her softly, she finally answered him.
“My father isn’t an unkind man.” Her face was drawn a little as she pinned him with a look meant to go right through him, “But neither is he a strong man.” Especially against his brother’s wishes. Taking a deep breath, she sighed softly, Lord Gavriil had shared some personal feelings with her… She could trust him enough to do the same.
“Things are not as simple for me.” Her eyes shifted back to the sea and she exhaled deeply, “There are 9 of us Leventi girls to find matches for. Any available, acceptable match will not only be accepted but greatly appreciated. Finding husbands with complementary temperaments is rather low on the list of requirements I am afraid.” She looked to him again and offered a sad smile, “But it’s a nice thought, something to wish upon a star for I suppose.” Evangelina stopped short of telling him they were to be traded off with little more consideration than some of their broodmares. Her lips pursed and she looked away again.
She wasn’t one to leave things to the stars. There were things she would need to see too on her own if she was going to intend to see to her brother’s safety. Pulling Altair up abruptly, she twisted in the saddle to focus on Gavriil, a seriousness to her as she spoke. “Can I ask a favor of you? If…” She paused, her eyes blinked and she focused over his shoulder. This was such an odd request. Evie met his gaze again, “If I am sent away, will you keep an eye on my brother for me? He needs to know there are not just wolves and deer at court, and that he doesn’t have to be a wolf.” She swallowed and admitted unhappily, “That’s not something he will learn from my family.”
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
‘I wish Dorothea was as interested in the subject of marriage as you seem to be…’
It didn’t escape her notice that he’d avoided answering her question by redirecting the conversation to his daughter. Did he think he was playing with a child in his conversation? He’d fixed his gaze on her, but instead of meeting those too observant storm blue eyes Evangelina tried to focus on not giving away to much of her own thoughts. It’d always been a struggle for her, maybe she could keep people from her truths on her face, but she’d not managed to keep it from her eyes. Almost every thought, every truth or lie, every happiness, and every heartbreak was filtered through her eyes.
“Lady Dorothea is fortunate.” Her fingers twiddled the long silver mane of her mount. She didn’t say it but the meaning lingered in her soft words that things were not quite as simple as they appeared to him in regards to her. His gaze was still fixed on her as he continued, ‘Unhappiness in a marriage can be easily avoided if the partners are correctly matched from the start.’
Inhaling, she worked up the nerve then to meet his gaze. It was fleeting but tender. She didn’t know if it saddened her that there wasn’t some miracle fix all. It was a bit depressing. They weren’t a surprise. He wasn’t the first to tell her something similar. It simply depended upon the two people in the marriage. Realizing she’d heard him and understood, his gaze broke but he continued speaking.
‘Your father isn’t an unkind man. I do not believe he will force you to wed someone you do not wish to.’
Her spirits fell with his words. She might have been the younger of the two of them but she had a greater grasp on the facts of life, especially the facts of life as a Leventi. It was… sweet that he held onto the idea that she’d be fine. He obviously did not know her family. The brazen girl who’d been asking questions had suddenly grown very quiet, shadows had appeared in her dark eyes and she avoided making any eye contact with him.
Settling her leaden body a little deeper into the saddle, she let the conversation die. Partly lost in the thoughts of the things he’d said and partly lost in the truths that she knew about her family. Fotios wanted to see her broken. She’d seen it in her uncle’s eyes the day he’d told her that she was to leave Acharist. Her father wasn’t unkind but in regards to his brother, there is little he would do to stand against him. She blinked, something inside her was near crumbling. Biting on her bottom lip, she could feel the salty metal taste of blood from the force she’d bitten it with. It was enough to keep her focused, to keep her from breaking down.
Tilting her head, she feigned interest in the ground for a moment… just long enough to sneakily swipe the pad of her thumb across her lip and wipe away any red that might have lingered there. Clearing her softly, she finally answered him.
“My father isn’t an unkind man.” Her face was drawn a little as she pinned him with a look meant to go right through him, “But neither is he a strong man.” Especially against his brother’s wishes. Taking a deep breath, she sighed softly, Lord Gavriil had shared some personal feelings with her… She could trust him enough to do the same.
“Things are not as simple for me.” Her eyes shifted back to the sea and she exhaled deeply, “There are 9 of us Leventi girls to find matches for. Any available, acceptable match will not only be accepted but greatly appreciated. Finding husbands with complementary temperaments is rather low on the list of requirements I am afraid.” She looked to him again and offered a sad smile, “But it’s a nice thought, something to wish upon a star for I suppose.” Evangelina stopped short of telling him they were to be traded off with little more consideration than some of their broodmares. Her lips pursed and she looked away again.
She wasn’t one to leave things to the stars. There were things she would need to see too on her own if she was going to intend to see to her brother’s safety. Pulling Altair up abruptly, she twisted in the saddle to focus on Gavriil, a seriousness to her as she spoke. “Can I ask a favor of you? If…” She paused, her eyes blinked and she focused over his shoulder. This was such an odd request. Evie met his gaze again, “If I am sent away, will you keep an eye on my brother for me? He needs to know there are not just wolves and deer at court, and that he doesn’t have to be a wolf.” She swallowed and admitted unhappily, “That’s not something he will learn from my family.”
‘I wish Dorothea was as interested in the subject of marriage as you seem to be…’
It didn’t escape her notice that he’d avoided answering her question by redirecting the conversation to his daughter. Did he think he was playing with a child in his conversation? He’d fixed his gaze on her, but instead of meeting those too observant storm blue eyes Evangelina tried to focus on not giving away to much of her own thoughts. It’d always been a struggle for her, maybe she could keep people from her truths on her face, but she’d not managed to keep it from her eyes. Almost every thought, every truth or lie, every happiness, and every heartbreak was filtered through her eyes.
“Lady Dorothea is fortunate.” Her fingers twiddled the long silver mane of her mount. She didn’t say it but the meaning lingered in her soft words that things were not quite as simple as they appeared to him in regards to her. His gaze was still fixed on her as he continued, ‘Unhappiness in a marriage can be easily avoided if the partners are correctly matched from the start.’
Inhaling, she worked up the nerve then to meet his gaze. It was fleeting but tender. She didn’t know if it saddened her that there wasn’t some miracle fix all. It was a bit depressing. They weren’t a surprise. He wasn’t the first to tell her something similar. It simply depended upon the two people in the marriage. Realizing she’d heard him and understood, his gaze broke but he continued speaking.
‘Your father isn’t an unkind man. I do not believe he will force you to wed someone you do not wish to.’
Her spirits fell with his words. She might have been the younger of the two of them but she had a greater grasp on the facts of life, especially the facts of life as a Leventi. It was… sweet that he held onto the idea that she’d be fine. He obviously did not know her family. The brazen girl who’d been asking questions had suddenly grown very quiet, shadows had appeared in her dark eyes and she avoided making any eye contact with him.
Settling her leaden body a little deeper into the saddle, she let the conversation die. Partly lost in the thoughts of the things he’d said and partly lost in the truths that she knew about her family. Fotios wanted to see her broken. She’d seen it in her uncle’s eyes the day he’d told her that she was to leave Acharist. Her father wasn’t unkind but in regards to his brother, there is little he would do to stand against him. She blinked, something inside her was near crumbling. Biting on her bottom lip, she could feel the salty metal taste of blood from the force she’d bitten it with. It was enough to keep her focused, to keep her from breaking down.
Tilting her head, she feigned interest in the ground for a moment… just long enough to sneakily swipe the pad of her thumb across her lip and wipe away any red that might have lingered there. Clearing her softly, she finally answered him.
“My father isn’t an unkind man.” Her face was drawn a little as she pinned him with a look meant to go right through him, “But neither is he a strong man.” Especially against his brother’s wishes. Taking a deep breath, she sighed softly, Lord Gavriil had shared some personal feelings with her… She could trust him enough to do the same.
“Things are not as simple for me.” Her eyes shifted back to the sea and she exhaled deeply, “There are 9 of us Leventi girls to find matches for. Any available, acceptable match will not only be accepted but greatly appreciated. Finding husbands with complementary temperaments is rather low on the list of requirements I am afraid.” She looked to him again and offered a sad smile, “But it’s a nice thought, something to wish upon a star for I suppose.” Evangelina stopped short of telling him they were to be traded off with little more consideration than some of their broodmares. Her lips pursed and she looked away again.
She wasn’t one to leave things to the stars. There were things she would need to see too on her own if she was going to intend to see to her brother’s safety. Pulling Altair up abruptly, she twisted in the saddle to focus on Gavriil, a seriousness to her as she spoke. “Can I ask a favor of you? If…” She paused, her eyes blinked and she focused over his shoulder. This was such an odd request. Evie met his gaze again, “If I am sent away, will you keep an eye on my brother for me? He needs to know there are not just wolves and deer at court, and that he doesn’t have to be a wolf.” She swallowed and admitted unhappily, “That’s not something he will learn from my family.”
The immediate change in her body language did not require someone to be extremely observant to notice. The change was so abrupt that he didn’t have to make any very great leap to figure out it was due to what he’d said. What exactly that was? Who could say? Even though they were his words that had brought about the reaction, he had no way of knowing why she’d taken them the way she had or which part had been offensive. Though, probably he shouldn’t have been surprised. He was well known for his blunt speech and impatience for mincing words. Sometimes people took it well and sometimes they didn’t.
They rode on. A rabbit startled and darted across the field, it’s white tail flashing a warning to two others who bounded after it. Their fur was stained dark brown from the dew on the grass. He didn’t have his bow with him but he wished he did. Narrowing both eyes, he raised his hands as though he had a bow, pulled the invisible string, and caught one rabbit with an arrow. He didn’t have to have a real one to know that he’d have hit his mark without trouble. A lifetime of hunting told him so.
She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts and unhappily so, yet he did not feel it right to pry. It turned out, though, that he wouldn’t have to. Whatever she thought looked like it was going to spill out and she said, as politely as a daughter could, that her father was not going to be able to help her. What she was getting at was every parent’s trouble these days; how to secure their children’s wellbeing and future. Happiness was ideal, but to see her well settled in life was a little more practical. Happily, Dorothea would not share Evangelina’s fate. Nor Alexa, if he could help it.
He would not force his daughters to wed if they did not wish to, no matter how much he wanted them to do so. They were lucky in that their brother was perfectly willing to keep them in the comfort they were accustomed to until they died. Really, they would only need husbands for children and neither Dorothea nor Alexa seemed all that interested in raising their own brood. He’d clearly done something wrong. If their mother was alive, surely the two of them would have more of an interest in it but he’d been too permissive in letting them follow their interests - men’s interests.
None of this was helpful to Evangelina and so he did not say it. That would only be rubbing salt into an open wound. Before he could think of exactly what to say, she’d twisted and straightened, her gaze boring into him, requesting he look after her brother. He parted his lips to speak but clamped them back down again. This was a tall promise she wanted him to make.
“Lady Evangelina,” he began, “You know I can never keep such a promise.”
There were too many logistics - the core of it was that he had very little contact with that portion of the Leventi family. Even less than the rest of them. Konstantinos was not brought into society much and by the time he was, he would be a man and his personality more or less fixed.
Gavriil wanted to tell her that, yes, he would, but it would be a disservice to her to give her such a false hope. Something he would not do. For one, it was useless. For another, it was cruel. Both things he abhorred. More than that, he knew that would be a disappointment to hear, so he hastened to say, “My lady, I think your best course is to take care that you fall in love with someone your family approves of.”
He wished that there was better and more helpful advice to give but the reality of the situation was a little grim when put into the perspective of 9 women needing married off. That also gave him exactly zero hope that Dorothea would ever find a husband. He could now say goodbye to grandchildren, which was a shame. He missed little ones running about.
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 immediate change in her body language did not require someone to be extremely observant to notice. The change was so abrupt that he didn’t have to make any very great leap to figure out it was due to what he’d said. What exactly that was? Who could say? Even though they were his words that had brought about the reaction, he had no way of knowing why she’d taken them the way she had or which part had been offensive. Though, probably he shouldn’t have been surprised. He was well known for his blunt speech and impatience for mincing words. Sometimes people took it well and sometimes they didn’t.
They rode on. A rabbit startled and darted across the field, it’s white tail flashing a warning to two others who bounded after it. Their fur was stained dark brown from the dew on the grass. He didn’t have his bow with him but he wished he did. Narrowing both eyes, he raised his hands as though he had a bow, pulled the invisible string, and caught one rabbit with an arrow. He didn’t have to have a real one to know that he’d have hit his mark without trouble. A lifetime of hunting told him so.
She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts and unhappily so, yet he did not feel it right to pry. It turned out, though, that he wouldn’t have to. Whatever she thought looked like it was going to spill out and she said, as politely as a daughter could, that her father was not going to be able to help her. What she was getting at was every parent’s trouble these days; how to secure their children’s wellbeing and future. Happiness was ideal, but to see her well settled in life was a little more practical. Happily, Dorothea would not share Evangelina’s fate. Nor Alexa, if he could help it.
He would not force his daughters to wed if they did not wish to, no matter how much he wanted them to do so. They were lucky in that their brother was perfectly willing to keep them in the comfort they were accustomed to until they died. Really, they would only need husbands for children and neither Dorothea nor Alexa seemed all that interested in raising their own brood. He’d clearly done something wrong. If their mother was alive, surely the two of them would have more of an interest in it but he’d been too permissive in letting them follow their interests - men’s interests.
None of this was helpful to Evangelina and so he did not say it. That would only be rubbing salt into an open wound. Before he could think of exactly what to say, she’d twisted and straightened, her gaze boring into him, requesting he look after her brother. He parted his lips to speak but clamped them back down again. This was a tall promise she wanted him to make.
“Lady Evangelina,” he began, “You know I can never keep such a promise.”
There were too many logistics - the core of it was that he had very little contact with that portion of the Leventi family. Even less than the rest of them. Konstantinos was not brought into society much and by the time he was, he would be a man and his personality more or less fixed.
Gavriil wanted to tell her that, yes, he would, but it would be a disservice to her to give her such a false hope. Something he would not do. For one, it was useless. For another, it was cruel. Both things he abhorred. More than that, he knew that would be a disappointment to hear, so he hastened to say, “My lady, I think your best course is to take care that you fall in love with someone your family approves of.”
He wished that there was better and more helpful advice to give but the reality of the situation was a little grim when put into the perspective of 9 women needing married off. That also gave him exactly zero hope that Dorothea would ever find a husband. He could now say goodbye to grandchildren, which was a shame. He missed little ones running about.
The immediate change in her body language did not require someone to be extremely observant to notice. The change was so abrupt that he didn’t have to make any very great leap to figure out it was due to what he’d said. What exactly that was? Who could say? Even though they were his words that had brought about the reaction, he had no way of knowing why she’d taken them the way she had or which part had been offensive. Though, probably he shouldn’t have been surprised. He was well known for his blunt speech and impatience for mincing words. Sometimes people took it well and sometimes they didn’t.
They rode on. A rabbit startled and darted across the field, it’s white tail flashing a warning to two others who bounded after it. Their fur was stained dark brown from the dew on the grass. He didn’t have his bow with him but he wished he did. Narrowing both eyes, he raised his hands as though he had a bow, pulled the invisible string, and caught one rabbit with an arrow. He didn’t have to have a real one to know that he’d have hit his mark without trouble. A lifetime of hunting told him so.
She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts and unhappily so, yet he did not feel it right to pry. It turned out, though, that he wouldn’t have to. Whatever she thought looked like it was going to spill out and she said, as politely as a daughter could, that her father was not going to be able to help her. What she was getting at was every parent’s trouble these days; how to secure their children’s wellbeing and future. Happiness was ideal, but to see her well settled in life was a little more practical. Happily, Dorothea would not share Evangelina’s fate. Nor Alexa, if he could help it.
He would not force his daughters to wed if they did not wish to, no matter how much he wanted them to do so. They were lucky in that their brother was perfectly willing to keep them in the comfort they were accustomed to until they died. Really, they would only need husbands for children and neither Dorothea nor Alexa seemed all that interested in raising their own brood. He’d clearly done something wrong. If their mother was alive, surely the two of them would have more of an interest in it but he’d been too permissive in letting them follow their interests - men’s interests.
None of this was helpful to Evangelina and so he did not say it. That would only be rubbing salt into an open wound. Before he could think of exactly what to say, she’d twisted and straightened, her gaze boring into him, requesting he look after her brother. He parted his lips to speak but clamped them back down again. This was a tall promise she wanted him to make.
“Lady Evangelina,” he began, “You know I can never keep such a promise.”
There were too many logistics - the core of it was that he had very little contact with that portion of the Leventi family. Even less than the rest of them. Konstantinos was not brought into society much and by the time he was, he would be a man and his personality more or less fixed.
Gavriil wanted to tell her that, yes, he would, but it would be a disservice to her to give her such a false hope. Something he would not do. For one, it was useless. For another, it was cruel. Both things he abhorred. More than that, he knew that would be a disappointment to hear, so he hastened to say, “My lady, I think your best course is to take care that you fall in love with someone your family approves of.”
He wished that there was better and more helpful advice to give but the reality of the situation was a little grim when put into the perspective of 9 women needing married off. That also gave him exactly zero hope that Dorothea would ever find a husband. He could now say goodbye to grandchildren, which was a shame. He missed little ones running about.
When had she stopped breathing, she looked from his eyes to his mouth catching the way it clamped shut. His answer was obvious by that one action. His words blurred into background noise for a moment. Slumping a little in the saddle she smiled, she’d long since dropped her eyes to the ground. He was right, it was an impossible promise for her to ask of him.
She sat there for a moment then forced smile onto her lips and lifted her head to offer him the smile. “I understand.” The words were a little hollow but she meant them earnestly. She did understand the magnitude of what she’d asked. Tilting her chin up, she hoped it wasn’t quivering. “Thank you, my lord, for giving me the hard truth rather than patronizing me with a sweet lie. I do appreciate that. I apologize for putting you in such a position.” I hope you understand why I had to ask though…
Dropping the reins, Altair started walking again and she let a small exhale float out of her. She’d find her own way… if you wanted something done right you needed to do it yourself in this world. She shifted, it’d be easier if she stayed in Taengea. Stay in Taengea… She licked the spot on her lip again, knowing it was too sore to bite.
‘My lady, I think your best course is to take care that you fall in love with someone your family approves of.’
Glancing sideways at him, she smiled softly, “That would take care of a lot of problems of mine, wouldn’t it?” Letting her gaze fell, she lacked the beauty and grace of her cousins. She wasn’t incredibly ambitious like Olympia either. It wasn’t so much falling in love with someone her family approved of but rather finding someone who actually saw her and understood her.
Settling into the quiet for a few moments before she smirked and looked over at him again, “By the way, I am well aware you didn’t answer my question. We Leventi’s cut our teeth on men avoiding our questions.” Her eyes had lit up a little in amusement. “I should warn you, rescuing me there at the palace has now plagued you with my friendship, and with my friendship comes my own share of unsolicited advice and opinions if you have not already noticed.” Evangelina’s lips widened a little more.
“Here is some more of that unsolicited advice and opinions,” She licked her lips watching him from the corner of her eye as she continued. “Not answering my question tells me you haven’t thought about it. I don’t believe you to be the sort to censure telling me to mind my own business if you had an answer and simply didn’t want to share it.” Wiping a strand of hair out of her face. He might not have been thinking about her question before but now that it was out there, he’d think about it again. He’d wonder. She knew how that worked… it’d start off small in the back of his mind and chew away at his thoughts until he had an answer.
“You strike me as a man who realizes how fleeting happiness is in this world.” Sneaking a glance at him, she continued. “Just as you realize that hunting just to hunt, and killing just to kill is wasteful and makes you a poor steward of the forest… if happiness should befall you whether it’s as simple as gallop up these plains or as complex as finding someone who makes you happy again… if you don’t take it when it’s gifted to you… if you waste that happiness for whatever reason… You are being a poor steward to Life.” Turning her head she looked at him, her dark eyes searching him. “Someone out there would give everything for happiness and if it comes back around to you, if you are blessed enough to receive it again… I hope you are wise enough to take it.”
No one would ever replace what he had with his wife, but happiness and love those thing were boundless. The heart didn’t have a limit to them.
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
When had she stopped breathing, she looked from his eyes to his mouth catching the way it clamped shut. His answer was obvious by that one action. His words blurred into background noise for a moment. Slumping a little in the saddle she smiled, she’d long since dropped her eyes to the ground. He was right, it was an impossible promise for her to ask of him.
She sat there for a moment then forced smile onto her lips and lifted her head to offer him the smile. “I understand.” The words were a little hollow but she meant them earnestly. She did understand the magnitude of what she’d asked. Tilting her chin up, she hoped it wasn’t quivering. “Thank you, my lord, for giving me the hard truth rather than patronizing me with a sweet lie. I do appreciate that. I apologize for putting you in such a position.” I hope you understand why I had to ask though…
Dropping the reins, Altair started walking again and she let a small exhale float out of her. She’d find her own way… if you wanted something done right you needed to do it yourself in this world. She shifted, it’d be easier if she stayed in Taengea. Stay in Taengea… She licked the spot on her lip again, knowing it was too sore to bite.
‘My lady, I think your best course is to take care that you fall in love with someone your family approves of.’
Glancing sideways at him, she smiled softly, “That would take care of a lot of problems of mine, wouldn’t it?” Letting her gaze fell, she lacked the beauty and grace of her cousins. She wasn’t incredibly ambitious like Olympia either. It wasn’t so much falling in love with someone her family approved of but rather finding someone who actually saw her and understood her.
Settling into the quiet for a few moments before she smirked and looked over at him again, “By the way, I am well aware you didn’t answer my question. We Leventi’s cut our teeth on men avoiding our questions.” Her eyes had lit up a little in amusement. “I should warn you, rescuing me there at the palace has now plagued you with my friendship, and with my friendship comes my own share of unsolicited advice and opinions if you have not already noticed.” Evangelina’s lips widened a little more.
“Here is some more of that unsolicited advice and opinions,” She licked her lips watching him from the corner of her eye as she continued. “Not answering my question tells me you haven’t thought about it. I don’t believe you to be the sort to censure telling me to mind my own business if you had an answer and simply didn’t want to share it.” Wiping a strand of hair out of her face. He might not have been thinking about her question before but now that it was out there, he’d think about it again. He’d wonder. She knew how that worked… it’d start off small in the back of his mind and chew away at his thoughts until he had an answer.
“You strike me as a man who realizes how fleeting happiness is in this world.” Sneaking a glance at him, she continued. “Just as you realize that hunting just to hunt, and killing just to kill is wasteful and makes you a poor steward of the forest… if happiness should befall you whether it’s as simple as gallop up these plains or as complex as finding someone who makes you happy again… if you don’t take it when it’s gifted to you… if you waste that happiness for whatever reason… You are being a poor steward to Life.” Turning her head she looked at him, her dark eyes searching him. “Someone out there would give everything for happiness and if it comes back around to you, if you are blessed enough to receive it again… I hope you are wise enough to take it.”
No one would ever replace what he had with his wife, but happiness and love those thing were boundless. The heart didn’t have a limit to them.
When had she stopped breathing, she looked from his eyes to his mouth catching the way it clamped shut. His answer was obvious by that one action. His words blurred into background noise for a moment. Slumping a little in the saddle she smiled, she’d long since dropped her eyes to the ground. He was right, it was an impossible promise for her to ask of him.
She sat there for a moment then forced smile onto her lips and lifted her head to offer him the smile. “I understand.” The words were a little hollow but she meant them earnestly. She did understand the magnitude of what she’d asked. Tilting her chin up, she hoped it wasn’t quivering. “Thank you, my lord, for giving me the hard truth rather than patronizing me with a sweet lie. I do appreciate that. I apologize for putting you in such a position.” I hope you understand why I had to ask though…
Dropping the reins, Altair started walking again and she let a small exhale float out of her. She’d find her own way… if you wanted something done right you needed to do it yourself in this world. She shifted, it’d be easier if she stayed in Taengea. Stay in Taengea… She licked the spot on her lip again, knowing it was too sore to bite.
‘My lady, I think your best course is to take care that you fall in love with someone your family approves of.’
Glancing sideways at him, she smiled softly, “That would take care of a lot of problems of mine, wouldn’t it?” Letting her gaze fell, she lacked the beauty and grace of her cousins. She wasn’t incredibly ambitious like Olympia either. It wasn’t so much falling in love with someone her family approved of but rather finding someone who actually saw her and understood her.
Settling into the quiet for a few moments before she smirked and looked over at him again, “By the way, I am well aware you didn’t answer my question. We Leventi’s cut our teeth on men avoiding our questions.” Her eyes had lit up a little in amusement. “I should warn you, rescuing me there at the palace has now plagued you with my friendship, and with my friendship comes my own share of unsolicited advice and opinions if you have not already noticed.” Evangelina’s lips widened a little more.
“Here is some more of that unsolicited advice and opinions,” She licked her lips watching him from the corner of her eye as she continued. “Not answering my question tells me you haven’t thought about it. I don’t believe you to be the sort to censure telling me to mind my own business if you had an answer and simply didn’t want to share it.” Wiping a strand of hair out of her face. He might not have been thinking about her question before but now that it was out there, he’d think about it again. He’d wonder. She knew how that worked… it’d start off small in the back of his mind and chew away at his thoughts until he had an answer.
“You strike me as a man who realizes how fleeting happiness is in this world.” Sneaking a glance at him, she continued. “Just as you realize that hunting just to hunt, and killing just to kill is wasteful and makes you a poor steward of the forest… if happiness should befall you whether it’s as simple as gallop up these plains or as complex as finding someone who makes you happy again… if you don’t take it when it’s gifted to you… if you waste that happiness for whatever reason… You are being a poor steward to Life.” Turning her head she looked at him, her dark eyes searching him. “Someone out there would give everything for happiness and if it comes back around to you, if you are blessed enough to receive it again… I hope you are wise enough to take it.”
No one would ever replace what he had with his wife, but happiness and love those thing were boundless. The heart didn’t have a limit to them.
She’d reacted exactly how he’d expected her to; disappointed. He was glad she took it well, though, at least. What she’d wanted for her brother was incredibly sweet and also impossible for him, personally, to do. Fortunately and unfortunately, the universe was not theirs to control. Some things were out of their hands. She’d be better of praying to the gods for aid, rather than relying on a baron who barely saw Vasiliadon more than twelve times a year.
“I feel people are better served with bitter truths than poisoned lies.”
What if he’d made her such a promise? For now, she would be happy with him. Even perhaps for a few years - but how her brother turned out was entirely the boy’s own choice and if enough wrong choices were made, then Evangelina would have every reason to feel hurt and betrayed. No. He would never enter into such an arrangement. It was foolishness.
When she cornered him about his evasion earlier, he slid his gaze sideways but then looked forward again. “Cut your teeth, little kitten. Stretch your claws. A tree can withstand such attentions,” he said placidly, still not answering the question. At her assertions that she had unwanted advice and opinions, he held his tongue. That had already been made abundantly clear but he was a patient man. Now that he knew what to expect from her, she wasn’t likely to shock him further.
He didn’t return her side eyed stare as she spoke. Instead he made no commitment one way or another as to whether or not she was right, but it was interesting to hear her thoughts on the matter. Almost funny. “Perhaps I am too polite to tell you to mind your own business and do not mind your suppositions.” She could suppose and surmise all she liked but he wasn’t going to tell her what she wanted to know at the moment and chose to let her believe what she liked.
When she got to the happiness stuff, he could not keep his grave countenance any longer and grinned. “I strike you as woefully unhappy with my lot in life?” Now he did look at her and she did strike him as very much a kitten, attempting to catch an animal much too big for its size. “Are you suggesting that having a wife is the only thing that would make me happy? And that I have been pining at the windows for these last sixteen years?” His grin didn’t waver. “What a poor existence I lead, my lady.”
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
She’d reacted exactly how he’d expected her to; disappointed. He was glad she took it well, though, at least. What she’d wanted for her brother was incredibly sweet and also impossible for him, personally, to do. Fortunately and unfortunately, the universe was not theirs to control. Some things were out of their hands. She’d be better of praying to the gods for aid, rather than relying on a baron who barely saw Vasiliadon more than twelve times a year.
“I feel people are better served with bitter truths than poisoned lies.”
What if he’d made her such a promise? For now, she would be happy with him. Even perhaps for a few years - but how her brother turned out was entirely the boy’s own choice and if enough wrong choices were made, then Evangelina would have every reason to feel hurt and betrayed. No. He would never enter into such an arrangement. It was foolishness.
When she cornered him about his evasion earlier, he slid his gaze sideways but then looked forward again. “Cut your teeth, little kitten. Stretch your claws. A tree can withstand such attentions,” he said placidly, still not answering the question. At her assertions that she had unwanted advice and opinions, he held his tongue. That had already been made abundantly clear but he was a patient man. Now that he knew what to expect from her, she wasn’t likely to shock him further.
He didn’t return her side eyed stare as she spoke. Instead he made no commitment one way or another as to whether or not she was right, but it was interesting to hear her thoughts on the matter. Almost funny. “Perhaps I am too polite to tell you to mind your own business and do not mind your suppositions.” She could suppose and surmise all she liked but he wasn’t going to tell her what she wanted to know at the moment and chose to let her believe what she liked.
When she got to the happiness stuff, he could not keep his grave countenance any longer and grinned. “I strike you as woefully unhappy with my lot in life?” Now he did look at her and she did strike him as very much a kitten, attempting to catch an animal much too big for its size. “Are you suggesting that having a wife is the only thing that would make me happy? And that I have been pining at the windows for these last sixteen years?” His grin didn’t waver. “What a poor existence I lead, my lady.”
She’d reacted exactly how he’d expected her to; disappointed. He was glad she took it well, though, at least. What she’d wanted for her brother was incredibly sweet and also impossible for him, personally, to do. Fortunately and unfortunately, the universe was not theirs to control. Some things were out of their hands. She’d be better of praying to the gods for aid, rather than relying on a baron who barely saw Vasiliadon more than twelve times a year.
“I feel people are better served with bitter truths than poisoned lies.”
What if he’d made her such a promise? For now, she would be happy with him. Even perhaps for a few years - but how her brother turned out was entirely the boy’s own choice and if enough wrong choices were made, then Evangelina would have every reason to feel hurt and betrayed. No. He would never enter into such an arrangement. It was foolishness.
When she cornered him about his evasion earlier, he slid his gaze sideways but then looked forward again. “Cut your teeth, little kitten. Stretch your claws. A tree can withstand such attentions,” he said placidly, still not answering the question. At her assertions that she had unwanted advice and opinions, he held his tongue. That had already been made abundantly clear but he was a patient man. Now that he knew what to expect from her, she wasn’t likely to shock him further.
He didn’t return her side eyed stare as she spoke. Instead he made no commitment one way or another as to whether or not she was right, but it was interesting to hear her thoughts on the matter. Almost funny. “Perhaps I am too polite to tell you to mind your own business and do not mind your suppositions.” She could suppose and surmise all she liked but he wasn’t going to tell her what she wanted to know at the moment and chose to let her believe what she liked.
When she got to the happiness stuff, he could not keep his grave countenance any longer and grinned. “I strike you as woefully unhappy with my lot in life?” Now he did look at her and she did strike him as very much a kitten, attempting to catch an animal much too big for its size. “Are you suggesting that having a wife is the only thing that would make me happy? And that I have been pining at the windows for these last sixteen years?” His grin didn’t waver. “What a poor existence I lead, my lady.”
‘Cut your teeth, little kitten. Stretch your claws. A tree can withstand such attentions.’
Evangelina hadn’t expected the teasing, her heart skittered as she jerked to look at him. Her mouth hung open for a moment, her wide, brown eyes blinking at him for a moment before she snapped it shut. Looking away as she processed what he’d said, her blush creeping into her cheeks. He’d just blindsided her, completely, and totally. A glance at him and the calm way he sat there said he knew it too.
“I…” She started then snapped her mouth shut to pin him with a bemused look. “I am not a kitten.” She blinked and looked back at him suspiciously. Was he offering to be a tree for her to stretch her claws in had she been a kitten, of course? Her lips pursed and she raked a curiously warm glance over him. He’d once been quite good looking, the base of it was still there only it had aged. The lines on his face gave him character and rather than detracting from his appeal, it added to it. There was still a softness to his mouth, and the lines near his eyes spoke of a good nature. She licked her lips, looking away, and smiling, “If I was a kitten, my lord, I would definitely dig my claws in…” And maybe my teeth…
‘Perhaps I am too polite to tell you to mind your own business and do not mind your suppositions.’
That forced her smile wider, “Are you? And do you mind my suppositions?” Sliding him another look, “I think you enjoy them, and while you might be being polite to me, I hope you aren’t being.” Raising a brow at him, “I will warn you if you are simply being polite to me you will certainly break my heart.” She teased, “I like to think I have some endearing qualities.”
He was grinning after her rant about happiness and his wastefulness of it. It was contagious and she continued smiling.
‘I strike you as woefully unhappy with my lot in life?’ Her mouth fell open again and she laughed, that was not what she meant at all. He continued. ‘Are you suggesting that having a wife is the only thing that would make me happy? And that I have been pining at the windows for these last sixteen years?’ Evie opened and closed her mouth a couple of times trying to find the right words, his infuriating grin never wavered off of her. But then again, neither did hers. ‘What a poor existence I lead, my lady.’
“That’s not what I meant…” She sputtered out finally. “I just meant…” What had she meant? Yes, she had thought he looked sad and pensive. “I…” She laughed and shook her head, “You sir, are twisting my words against me and having entirely too much fun doing it too. I take back what I said, stay unhappy… I was only trying to be helpful.” Her surprisingly throaty laugh following as she covered her eyes with a hand hoping to hide some of the blush on her cheeks. Peeking out from a couple of fingers, she looked at him again and shook her head at him, "Are you sure you aren't a wolf?"
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
‘Cut your teeth, little kitten. Stretch your claws. A tree can withstand such attentions.’
Evangelina hadn’t expected the teasing, her heart skittered as she jerked to look at him. Her mouth hung open for a moment, her wide, brown eyes blinking at him for a moment before she snapped it shut. Looking away as she processed what he’d said, her blush creeping into her cheeks. He’d just blindsided her, completely, and totally. A glance at him and the calm way he sat there said he knew it too.
“I…” She started then snapped her mouth shut to pin him with a bemused look. “I am not a kitten.” She blinked and looked back at him suspiciously. Was he offering to be a tree for her to stretch her claws in had she been a kitten, of course? Her lips pursed and she raked a curiously warm glance over him. He’d once been quite good looking, the base of it was still there only it had aged. The lines on his face gave him character and rather than detracting from his appeal, it added to it. There was still a softness to his mouth, and the lines near his eyes spoke of a good nature. She licked her lips, looking away, and smiling, “If I was a kitten, my lord, I would definitely dig my claws in…” And maybe my teeth…
‘Perhaps I am too polite to tell you to mind your own business and do not mind your suppositions.’
That forced her smile wider, “Are you? And do you mind my suppositions?” Sliding him another look, “I think you enjoy them, and while you might be being polite to me, I hope you aren’t being.” Raising a brow at him, “I will warn you if you are simply being polite to me you will certainly break my heart.” She teased, “I like to think I have some endearing qualities.”
He was grinning after her rant about happiness and his wastefulness of it. It was contagious and she continued smiling.
‘I strike you as woefully unhappy with my lot in life?’ Her mouth fell open again and she laughed, that was not what she meant at all. He continued. ‘Are you suggesting that having a wife is the only thing that would make me happy? And that I have been pining at the windows for these last sixteen years?’ Evie opened and closed her mouth a couple of times trying to find the right words, his infuriating grin never wavered off of her. But then again, neither did hers. ‘What a poor existence I lead, my lady.’
“That’s not what I meant…” She sputtered out finally. “I just meant…” What had she meant? Yes, she had thought he looked sad and pensive. “I…” She laughed and shook her head, “You sir, are twisting my words against me and having entirely too much fun doing it too. I take back what I said, stay unhappy… I was only trying to be helpful.” Her surprisingly throaty laugh following as she covered her eyes with a hand hoping to hide some of the blush on her cheeks. Peeking out from a couple of fingers, she looked at him again and shook her head at him, "Are you sure you aren't a wolf?"
‘Cut your teeth, little kitten. Stretch your claws. A tree can withstand such attentions.’
Evangelina hadn’t expected the teasing, her heart skittered as she jerked to look at him. Her mouth hung open for a moment, her wide, brown eyes blinking at him for a moment before she snapped it shut. Looking away as she processed what he’d said, her blush creeping into her cheeks. He’d just blindsided her, completely, and totally. A glance at him and the calm way he sat there said he knew it too.
“I…” She started then snapped her mouth shut to pin him with a bemused look. “I am not a kitten.” She blinked and looked back at him suspiciously. Was he offering to be a tree for her to stretch her claws in had she been a kitten, of course? Her lips pursed and she raked a curiously warm glance over him. He’d once been quite good looking, the base of it was still there only it had aged. The lines on his face gave him character and rather than detracting from his appeal, it added to it. There was still a softness to his mouth, and the lines near his eyes spoke of a good nature. She licked her lips, looking away, and smiling, “If I was a kitten, my lord, I would definitely dig my claws in…” And maybe my teeth…
‘Perhaps I am too polite to tell you to mind your own business and do not mind your suppositions.’
That forced her smile wider, “Are you? And do you mind my suppositions?” Sliding him another look, “I think you enjoy them, and while you might be being polite to me, I hope you aren’t being.” Raising a brow at him, “I will warn you if you are simply being polite to me you will certainly break my heart.” She teased, “I like to think I have some endearing qualities.”
He was grinning after her rant about happiness and his wastefulness of it. It was contagious and she continued smiling.
‘I strike you as woefully unhappy with my lot in life?’ Her mouth fell open again and she laughed, that was not what she meant at all. He continued. ‘Are you suggesting that having a wife is the only thing that would make me happy? And that I have been pining at the windows for these last sixteen years?’ Evie opened and closed her mouth a couple of times trying to find the right words, his infuriating grin never wavered off of her. But then again, neither did hers. ‘What a poor existence I lead, my lady.’
“That’s not what I meant…” She sputtered out finally. “I just meant…” What had she meant? Yes, she had thought he looked sad and pensive. “I…” She laughed and shook her head, “You sir, are twisting my words against me and having entirely too much fun doing it too. I take back what I said, stay unhappy… I was only trying to be helpful.” Her surprisingly throaty laugh following as she covered her eyes with a hand hoping to hide some of the blush on her cheeks. Peeking out from a couple of fingers, she looked at him again and shook her head at him, "Are you sure you aren't a wolf?"