Lord Fotios has catered to his guests quite handsomely and Nethis is grateful, because sailing to Taengea is not a journey Nethis loves to make. Vessels are not the Lady’s favorite kind of transportation, because the sea is vast and generally a very long venture. If traveling to Taengea is going to secure a relationship worth having, then Nethis will personally make the trip to show how dedicated she is. The one thing about Nethis is that once she has her mind set on something it will be very hard to sway her otherwise. There has not been a person yet that was able to change Nethis’s mind, therefore she will continue doing what she plans to do. By now, Nethis should be used to traveling abroad, because a lot of her business is conducted outside her world in Colchis as she has visited both Athenia and Taengea. Making a connection with House Leventi is very important to Nethis, marrying Lord Dysius to Lady Evangelina is a plan she wishes to see through. If it isn’t Lady Evangelina, then it needs to be a woman of House Leventi, regardless. The House of Lord Fotios is the only house she truly desires to ally with, but Taengea does have another noble House to offer and Nethis hasn’t shied away from House Skleros.
Connections is all Nethis wants, however she achieves those connections are within her power of persuasion and negotiation. Men fall for beautiful women and women have the power to topple kingdoms and control nations. Nethis is that kind of woman. The worst thing you could give her is time, because she will use that to her advantage and cause severe damage towards her enemies. All a good strategy needs are a period of nurture and the results should be nothing but satisfying – of course, failure of some kind should always be expected. Nethis does not have power over the Fates, but her plans will always have room for failure… Some victories will be accompanied by some failures, so you must lose some to win at all. A failure to Nethis is only progression to her real goal, her purpose for victory. The world must recognize the power of a woman, if not, opposition will lose every time against a woman like Nethis. Dominance isn’t always won by slashing your enemies to death, many times it is won by outsmarting and forcing your enemies to submission.
Men are, by far, the easiest minds to conquer. They only see what is in front of them, those certain kind of me are what Nethis preys on catches in her web just as easily as a moth to a flame… There are some men who would require a little more persistence in time, but eventually their will be one… Information will be gained in some way. Nethis was not the only guest to remain in the comforts of the Leventi House, but a nobleman of Athenia has also come to Taengea to represent their birth House. Marriage is a political and economical arrangement, a territory that Nethis controls with an iron grip… She isn’t going to allow anyone to take what she wants, and the union of the Leventi House is what Nethis desires. Although, it would not be wise of Nethis totally discard her competition, because of who is and what he stands for in Athenia. Lord Rafail of Marikas House, Baron of Thesnia, and Senator is a man of power, a young man of power that would be foolish for Nethis to pass.
The beautiful woman stood silently, looking alluring in her soft red Himation as she leaned against a white pillar. Nethis crossed her arms as she looked around the palace, which she quite impressed by the architecture of the extravagant home. She is taking her time with Lord Fotios, she understands his time is taken up by bachelors of different houses, so she is not forcing her hand to see him. Despite, they have other business to attend to that is based on the marriage at hand. Until then, she is hoping to run into the Lord of House Marikas.
Rafail had been made well aware that there was another guest in the Leventi household vying for Evangelina's hand, although, in their case, it was not for themselves but for another of her house. Naturally, he knew the name Thanasi, though he could not say he approved all too much of the rumours that their family was filled with witches, nor that the eldest of the daughters allegedly had so much control over the family activities. Did they not have at least a son? Was he indeed so useless that a female of his household need organise his potential marriage? At least Rafail's had been handled by Papa, an actual man and not a woman who fancied herself one like his stupid cousin and, apparently, this Nethis of Thanasi.
Perhaps it was luck, then, that all he knew of House Thanasi was based on the gossip he heard around the court and that which he had been taught because had Rafail initially recognised the woman as he strode by her in the hallway of the Leventi household, he might never have paused to speak with her, a slight smirk on his face. He was well taken care of in the Leventi household, that much was sure, but when a lady was posing in such a naturally seductive manner as this, 'twas nothing short of rude to blatantly ignore her desires.
Dressed in a deep blue shade which contrasted her red, it wasn't as though Rafail didn't look his absolute best (although 'best' is difficult to quantify when one always looks impressive). Moving towards her, he raised a hand to rest it against the pillar, almost leaning over the woman, a bright smile on his face, all ready to charm. The Marikas may have been here for a potential betrothal but, well, he wasn't betrothed yet.
"Good afternoon," he greeted her, only now starting to realise that she had to be the Thanasi woman, if solely because she bore no resemblance to any of the Leventi girls, and she was dressed far too beautiful to be a servant. It did not phase him. Unsavoury stories or otherwise, she did appear to be a delightful specimen of a woman, and, truth be told, once Rafail had found interest in someone, rumours became less of a concern. What did someone's past matter so long as they were a good fuck? He might have thought the same of his youngest cousin had he not loathed her so intensely but, this woman, he had no personal qualms with her. Rafail was sure she would grace his bed nicely.
The man made no secret of the way he was glancing up and down Nethis's body, spare hand resting on his hip. "I don't believe I've had the honour of making your acquaintance. Rafail of Marikas."
Nethis’s silence was disrupted by the presence of a man in his blue garment, a blue Nethis is very familiar with… The Athenian Marikas House. The man who approached her must be the Rafail of Marikas, he was something intriguing to look at, and she could sense the youth off his essence. A young man primed with privilege, power, and wealth… A type of man Nethis used to snack on like the grapes she grows in her orchard. Of course, she doesn’t want to treat him like a naïve little boy, because surely, he must have some sense to be in Taengea without an advisor of sorts. No, he can’t be an idiot, but he may surely be something arrogant. One day arrogance maybe the end of an individual’s story if it isn’t dealt with, because arrogance is not a vice Nethis has equipped to her essence. It is her cunning and patience that has gotten her this far, so in time any man can be a puppet for the master of minds, and it amuses her to see men kiss her feet in submission. There is surely gratification in a man’s submission, she feels euphoria more from that than an actual orgasm.
The raven-haired beauty only stood as she eyed the young man, crowding her space with an intentional closeness. Nethis held a sweet smile, almost inviting, as she leaned against the marble pillar keeping her eyes upon the gold-haired boy. Nethis is not just any woman and she is sure Rafail of Marikas has yet to have a woman like the Lady of Thanasi. Maybe arrogance on her part, which is ironic, but the truth of the matter is that Nethis isn’t going to let anything happen that she doesn’t want to happen. Rafail of Marikas standing in front of her right now to her is a message from the gods themselves as the Fates have woven the two threads together. Wrapping the threads neatly, gently, caressing each other as they touch…. Yes, Nethis understands what is being asked of her and she excepts what the gods maybe offering her in the end of it all. An Athenian belonging to a Royal House, the connections and the probable other benefits were already filling the woman’s head. This must be secured by any means. A young man with only one thing on his mind may be all Nethis needs.
The crystal blue-eyed woman glanced at Rafail of Marikas with a flirtatious grin, openly accepting the man’s advancements, “It is my business to know who you are,” Nethis said as she stepped closer to Rafail, whispering in his ear, “It shouldn’t take long for you to do the same for me, Rafail of Marikas.” Nethis stepped back as she looked at the young man, “Do you have what it takes to know a woman like me? Lord Rafail?” Nethis said as she grabbed the skirt of her red himation, while leaning back on the marble pillar, “Or… Am I wrong to assume.” Nethis said with a smirk as she awaited the next move of the young, surely he wouldn’t pass up a moment like this – a moment gone undone would surely never be given again.
Rafail had only said his necessary words of greeting and offered the woman his name and already things were going swimmingly. This was the sort of charm he was known for, this sort of manipulation and graciousness in his words that could so easily lead a lady to bed. It was her business to know who he was only because he wanted her to know and he wanted her to have heard the rumours that surrounded him. He wanted her to know exactly what he was capable of, and then he wanted to show her.
"Oh, I think I already know you," he told her, leaning in close to the woman, that proud smirk which so common to him resting on his face as he flicked his tongue out, running it over his lips and giving her a full once-over. "Nethis of Thanasi. I have heard plenty. I hear you have quite the penchant for dominating men, be it those in your own household or otherwise. And that..." He raised a hand to her chin, tilting it upwards slightly, so their lips were close to touching, locking his eyes with hers. "...that is something I'd like to change."
The man didn't sense any complaints in the woman, instead, the way she leaned so suggestively on the column behind her and the way she spoke only served to confirm his suspicions that she was interested in the two of them having an affair of a very particular kind now that they had met. When he had arrived in Taengea, he might have hoped something like this would occur, a dalliance with another royal lady (though he would have preferred a princess, to be quite honest) and he was not being disappointed.
It might have been deemed almost an insult to his hosts that Rafail was here to discuss a potential betrothal and yet already finding company in another woman, but he did not care, only interested in taking what he knew he could get and what he already was convinced he wanted. Nethis of Thanasi might have been the sort of woman considered dangerous by most - her reputation preceded her, just as Rafail’s did him - but she was the kind of prize he thought delicious.
Closing the gap between the two of them, he brought their lips together, giving her the kind of rough kiss he would rarely otherwise make use of on a first meeting. Charming words may have gotten him far, but this was a woman who required actions over speeches, and she did not deserve a simple peck on the cheek, she deserved all the harshness and roughness he could offer her. He would take her right then and there in the hallway if she would allow him the opportunity, and he made those intentions obvious as he eased his hands down the length of her body and brought them to rest so suggestively on her waist, tugging her closer to him.
The sly woman smirked at the words of the Athenian as she felt his warm breath grace her neck like a soft breeze. She was truly aroused by the sentiments of the young man, but Nethis was never the kind of woman to be swooned by a man. In every given situation, she is using men for her own benefit, they believe they are getting something out of dealing with Nethis, yet it is the bare minimum to what the lady has obtained. Sex is just a means of getting what she wants or at least securing the position for it. Nethis felt his fingers gently grab her chin, tilting it slowly so that their eyes could meet and commit to what their bodies were telling them to do. He was arrogant, very sure of himself that his masculinity could some how dominate Nethis… The Lord has never met a woman like Nethis, she doesn’t have to doubt herself in believing otherwise. There is a reason why she is known to be the breaker of men, much like the mind is her place of play, the chambers are no different. Nethis doesn’t have to say much to prove her point, because it appears the young bull was quite… Talkative.
Nethis looked at the taller man with a sly smirk as she arched an eyebrow accepting the challenge he brought forth. She loves to prove to men that Nethis of Thanasi will never be a will that they can break, she will never be a servant to a man’s bidding. The illusion of power is so gratifying, Nethis have came close many times in laughter laying with men who thought they were giving her the time of her life. Weak little boys, sometimes arrogant imbeciles who believe they have the capability of taking anything that they want. Rafail of Marikas maybe an intelligent fellow, but he was not calculated enough in laying with Nethis. Although, Nethis counted on this interaction, she counted on giving Rafail what he would not let go… An offered body is an offered mind in trade. Men are all the same, what they urge, what they think is based off of a primal urge to dominate… Some men may be a surprise, but Rafail’s kind are the kind of men Nethis has manipulated for years – still to this day. He will probably not be an exception, though she must tread carefully with minds adept to manipulation.
The blue-eyed woman looked up at Rafail, before looking down to the rest of his body, her hands also joining the exploration. She felt his, rather, built frame with admiration as she made it to his lower torso, a smile etching on her lips. Nethis looked up to see him leaning in to kiss her and in seconds their lips were connected. A passion that she has felt before, though it is always exciting to have a kiss that brings out the savage inside. Nethis grabbed onto the sides of Rafail’s face as she returned the equal amount of passion as she kissed him. She could hear their union echoing off the walls and she could only wonder what it would sound like once they really connected themselves. The Head of the Home shouldn’t be to upset that his guests have found his home as a place of comfort… Although, Nethis can’t say she hadn’t planned on meeting Rafail. It would be a shame that certain offers for a certain Leventi would just dissipate.
Nethis continued kissing the Athenian until she got bored of a maiden’s game. After a few seconds of tongue play, the Thanasi woman grabbed the throat of the Athenian, applying a little bit of pressure as she pulled back her kiss. The cold, blue eyes watched Rafail carefully, before speaking with lust dripping off her words, “I grow bored of child’s play,” Nethis continued, “Fuck me, Athenian.”
Those were just the words Rafail had been waiting to hear.
He was not precisely keen on the roughness with which his current partner appeared to perform her romantic actions - those pressured hands on his neck were already harsher than he generally practised yet mirrored the firmness of his original kiss - but that had done nothing to quench his fast-building thirst for a more intimate embrace between the pair of them, and he too pulled away from their continued kisses. In most of his sexual conquests, Rafail had always accentuated the time they spent in their initial connection, elongated that first kiss as much as he possibly could so they would begin to feel helpless under his touch and attention before he pulled them back to his chambers and took them in a second, longer, sweeter embrace. In this scenario, however, his partner was twice as voracious as any of the pretty noblewomen and empty-minded girls who had graced his bed back in Athenia, and he had a suspicion that such romancing tactics would not quite work on Nethis of Thanasi.
Pressing her against one of the marble-clad columns to find a better hold, a hand roamed up her body once more, finding the corner of the crimson himation the woman wore over her shoulder and beginning to tug it down as he pulled her closer once again. It was lucky, perhaps, that the corridor in which the pair found themselves was relatively isolated from public view, else they might have found their exploits observed by more prying eyes than Rafail desired (for, while the man had no issues with being seen in his natural form, he would rather news did not travel back to Papa that he had stripped and taken a woman in the middle of his hosts' hallway). When their bodies were fully touching once again, he made a move to expose the entirety of her upper body; the dress thrust down in one fluid motion that might have torn the fabric had the man not been so experienced. He used both hands now, placing them on the bare skin of her upper arms, the sudden cold of his touch intended only to entice her further, then leaned in for another kiss of her cheek.
This time, Rafail did not stop at her cheek. Instead, he trailed his kisses along the length of her neck, now slow and more gentle than he had been at first, his fingers echoing the movement as they slid gracefully down her arms. He did not look up to meet her gaze, nor did he speak further, only focussing every ounce of his existence on what was directly before him. He ran his kisses down to her collarbone, lingered for a long moment on her teardrop breasts, paying them each a special kind of attention with his mouth, then continued down to her stomach. By the time he reached the folds of her himation once again, resting so neatly on her hips, he had found himself on his knees, hands fixed firmly on her thighs and fingers digging in deeper and tighter so that the skin beneath them was likely pressed white under the folds of her skirt.
He faltered for a moment, then slipped the gown off to fall around her feet and continued downwards.