It is not often that Lady Nethis finds herself in Taengea, mostly because the journey the country is two weeks and that is a lot of time spent at sea. For Nethis to travel she needs to make sure that all means of business has been conducted and sorted in Colchis, before she can even think about leaving. Even when she did leave, everything was not completed but the amount of chaos there had subsided at the time she was ready to leave. Problems with the Kotas House were at a minimum, which was surprising considering everything the Thanasi lead woman had to cover up to make sure scandal wouldn’t spread. Because most things mentioning House Thanasi will be magnified and the story will turn into something more scandalous than what it truly is, since there is a big distrust for Nethis’s house. Nethis runs a bad taste in many mouths as she is a poisonous being that most people try to steer clear of. No one full trusts Nethis of Thanasi and there is reciprocation from the Lady herself – she trusts no one and is very specific to who and what she discloses. Nethis has done many things, though her guile has led to most of her dealings remain in secret.
House Kotas has a distaste for Nethis and the rumors that surrounds herself as well as her sisters does not help her reputation. Although it was the ignorance of man that led to the union of the two rivaling Houses, the marriage between Zanon of Kotas and Evras was very intentional. At least only Nethis sees the conventionality of marrying her sister to the younger Prince, because the best way to destroy your enemies is to do so within. Evras has been the inside piece Nethis needed to dismantle the Royal House, whether she knows about her sister’s true intentions or not. All Evras is concerned is that she fell in love with a Prince, who cares for her as much as she cares for him, including the fact they have a son together. Nethis prays to the Fates that Vangelis of Kotas does not find a woman who has a fertile womb, because she would hate to see her own nephew lose his chance as next in line for the throne. Everyone will see just how vile Lady Nethis of Thanasi can get, if that were to happen…
The rough ties that are House Kotas and House Thanasi should not be on her mind at the current moment. She is now in Taengea, far from the isles of Colchis, so she needs to explore the old country once again. This was not her first time in Taengea as she has dealt with many nobles over the years there, but rarely does she find the time to explore the city life. Nethis was relieved that she would have time with herself, before having to depart for her home land in the next few days. She enjoyed her time in Taengea, but she is sure her arrival in Colchis will be met with fire and chaos.
The Lady left her resting quarters dressed in a white Peplos with a complementary veil that fell pass her shoulders. The the silky garment was very complimenting of the woman’s figure and beauty and through the transparent veil you could see her braided raven hair, decorated with red jewels. The Lady Nethis was escorted onto the streets with a few men of the guard as they surrounded the royal noblewoman. Nethis looked about the area, her icy-blue eyes taking in everything she peered at with interest. Walked along side the edge of the sea to take view of the blue sea that clashed with the Taengean shore. Nethis paused for a moment to gaze at the water, before turning about to continue walking.
Almost a week had passed since that awful boat trip finally ended, leaving her much freer than she was, albeit much lonelier. With Imeeya not talking to her, Euphemia is off helping the other maids with whatever she was up to, and Vangelis... Asia would bet her last drachma that he was probably still mad at her for the Silanos ordeal. The look of anger on his face as he spoke of killing the man, it made Athanasia not want to let him know if she ever finds a boy that she actually falls for. What if he did kill him because of her? Asia didn't know how that would make her feel, knowing that a dead human was vastly different from a dead animal when it was because of her. So here she was, hiding from everyone as she sat on a rock and looked out at the sea. Her lessons with Lady Dorothea on hold till next week, and with avoiding everyone else unless it was meal time and hunger drove her back to eat, Asia spent a lot of her time sitting quietly as she let her mind wander after she escaped her guards. It wasn't the safest thing to do but there were times she just wanted to be alone, and without her forest to hide in, this was second best.
On this day, instead of her usual chiton, Asia opted for a white peplos and covered it with a pale purple himation. She wanted to be more lady-like, someone her family could be proud of. If seen now though, sitting on a rock in her nicest outfit. She could only imagine the look of irritation on her mother's face at her audacity, let alone the sigh of irritation any of her brothers would let out. She was 19 and the baby of the family, she was spoiled but not to where she was despised by anyone who came into contact with her. Why couldn't she be a normal lady?
Turning away from the ocean view, she spotted a woman not to far off who looked almost familiar in such an unfamiliar place. She was beautiful and poise, that was for sure, a way that her family wished she was since she was the princess. Coiffed, calm, and seemingly every strand of hair in place; Asia felt jealous because she felt like she could never compare. Wild hair, unfettered by the ties that she tried to use to keep it in place, her outfit was smudged ever so slightly with grey and her hands were coated to match from her climb on top of the rock. No one would ever look at her twice and think that she was anything special, let alone a princess. Her eyes were dark from nightmares that plagued her from being pinned in that fallen house and the darkness surrounding her. No one would look at her and think she was anyone special.
Watching the other woman as she looked out at the ocean, the sense that she knew her filled Asia in a way that almost annoyed her, not knowing who she would know off hand from Taengea. How would she go about asking her though without offending? Usually, Asia was so blunt and brash that she would just blurt it out, but the last time she blurted things out, she almost got someone killed. After a thought, she just went for it. "Hello. You look, very familiar..."
Nethis of Thanasi eyed the shiny blue waters, before turning to walk away from the view. It was interesting how different the world is, because the waters of Colchis are a lot more troublesome to bare, especially around the Kirakles Isles. Granted, there are parts of the ocean that can be seen in Colchis as something beautiful, though the Taengean cost was something to witness. If this was a vacation, of course it would be in a more secluded province, but the coasts of Taengea is an ideal area for the Lady. Although, times like these would never warrant her time to herself, nor would she really want to adhere to a significant amount of lone time. Nethis is deeply entrenched into this game of thrones, she is a main player and there are little breaks she can take, because every day someone is making a move and Nethis wants to make sure she has some kind of upper-hand in play.
Kotas, Drakos, and the list goes on. The amount of enemies’ house Thanasi has is not a factor to Nethis, because if she makes the necessary calls then not even a hundred nobles could destroy her birth house. Politics is a powerful weapon, Nethis does not need a sword or a dagger to kill thousands or to destroy reins of power – all she needs is information. People know this about Nethis, which is why she is the most intimidating woman in the courts of Midas as she is a master manipulator and a culler of power. House Kotas is aware of Nethis, though they are not able to be rid of the Thanasi woman because she is so involved with their family; additionally, on some level the house needs Nethis whether they like it or not. Nethis is a powerful ally and a powerful nemesis, the world may hate her for what she can do, but the truth no one is trying to admit is that they need someone as powerful as her to get things done.
The woman continued her way, enjoying the Taengean sea breeze as it felt against her pale skin. The guards were not far behind her, though she wasn’t really bothered by the extra presence, matter of fact she insisted the company. A simple rule she has kept with her given the large possibility there would be assassins or people who do not favor the Lady, but that’s not to say those people are in Taengea. Nethis would rather be too careful than dead by her own ignorance of man, because the last thing Nethis will do is overestimate her enemies. Nethis’s attention was brought by a voice of a woman as she inquired her, though the familiarity was confirmed when she received a better view of the woman. Nethis turned from the woman to look at the guards, “Remain here, I need privacy with this matter.” Nethis said with smile, before turning to the woman behind her with the same smile, although inside her she was quite irritated.
A member of the Kotas Household here in Taengea? Nethis does not believe there will ever be a break for her. The youngest child of the Kotas family sat perched like a bird asking who Nethis was, which was slightly disappointing given their Houses have been united. Although, Nethis will give the young Princess the benefit of the doubt given they have only met once before, but it took that one time for Nethis to recognize the young Princess. Appearing to be pleasant, Nethis approached the Princess and when she was in reasonable distance, the Lady Nethis bowed as she grabbed the skirt of her Peplos in respect, though if she could growl, she would have in this moment. Upon raising her head again, Nethis eyed the woman, “Greetings Princess Athanasia,” The cold blue eyes of the Lady read the Princess like a short letter, though she spoke politely, “We have met once before at the marriage of our two Houses between the Prince Zanon of Kotas and my sister, Evras of Thanasi,” Nethis continued, “Though to remind you, I am Lady Nethis of Thanasi, eldest sibling and sister of Thea of Thanasi, Evras of Thanasi, Dysius of Thanasi, and Mihail of Thanasi.” Information that should have been known, because at her age Nethis was already prepared as a Lady, though it is not the Princess’s fault there was a neglect in her instruction.
Nethis smiled, “Enjoying your time here in Taengea?”
The air was cool as the wind drew passed Asia, ruffling the loose strands of her hair as the roar of the ocean beaconed her to come and take a dive. Getting lost in the waves would surely put a wrinkle in her brother and her cousin's chitons, that was for sure. Though she liked thinking back about Vang's comparison of her to a horizon. It made her feel special even as the thought had her feeling incredibly lonely. No one ever caught the horizon, never seen it, never called it theirs. Was that her fate?
When the woman finally looked fully her way after Asia caught her attention, Athanasia could see why recognized the woman before her. She also remembered all the rumors that surrounded her as well. It was something that Asia never really paid any mind to these days. After that whole diabolical with Evras and Zanon having Asia believe that he sister-in-law was a witch of sorts, Athanasia didn't put much stock in rumors anymore. So as the woman looked pleasant enough, coming closer to talk even as Asia sat alone on a rock. So as Lady Nethis introduced herself, Athanasia couldn't help but feel like she should have known better. "Greetings Lady Nethis. I apologize for not realizing who you were sooner, I just never expected to find a familiar face so far from home." Looking down at her hands as she rested them on her knees, not 5 inches from her face as she hid her annoyed embarrassment at herself for not knowing sooner.
"Things are.. well, new; I guess you could say. I never left home before." Nethis's smile was something that had Athanasia hesitant about even as she found that she wanted a friend. Should she trust this woman who had so many whispering about her? Or should she run home and never look back? Asia missed Evras when she believed the rumors and shunned her sister-in-law, the woman that became like an older sister for her when she was younger. "I am to be taking archery lessons with Lady Dorothea, but that doesn't start till next week. How do you like Taengea? Have you been here before, if you do not mind me asking?"
Nethis eyed the Princess before her with pleasantry clear on her face, but Nethis is more than a pleasant face as she is calculative and clever. Every opportunity is a gain in Nethis’s eyes, even though every gain is not a guaranteed win. Still, one lesson Nethis has learned is to keep your friends closer and to keep your enemies closer, so House Kotas in every definition is a rival of the Thanasi House – every member of the Kotas House is an opportunity for Nethis, though some are more beneficial than the others. The King to be himself, Prince Vangelis, proved to be of lesser value for the Thanasi woman, despite the Prince being in a more powerful position. Prince Zanon was a lot easier to wrap her fingers around, instead of it being her own fingers to seduce the heart of a Prince; which goes to show you how the mind of Nethis of Thanasi is powerful and dangerous.
Even now, Nethis is looking at the Princess how a raven looks at a carcass, though it would be hard to read the Lady of Thanasi because she has a very well-played poker face that keeps most out of her head. Nethis shook her head with a kind smile towards the Princess, her hands slightly waving to further express ‘no’, “Oh but it is alright, you need not to worry my Princess, for you shall live a long life and many faces will come and go,” Nethis said charmingly, “Although, word of advice from a Lady who’s sister is married to your kin… Do try to remember the faces of friends and family.” Providing a sense of familiarity or sympathy is the goal… Nethis doesn’t want to fully shroud herself around her, because all she needs is just her shadow. It will be the curiosities of the Princess that leads her to Nethis.
Nethis said with a light chuckle, “We are family after all, Hera herself blessed the union between Prince Zanon and Lady Evras. The union of Kotas and Thanasi,” Nethis continued on, “Family is family, so now I try to look upon House Kotas as an extension of my own family.” Nethis clasped her fingers together, placing them gently towards the middle of her waist as listened to the Princess, before continuing, “Though, I am glad you are enjoying Taengea… As for me, I have been to Taengea a hand full of times, though for the most part I come to see an old friend of my mother’s, but there is also business to be conducted for the sake of Colchis.” Nethis is careful not to give away too much of herself, because there are plans in the making that should not be derailed. A lie was told, a clever lie that is.
The Lady gestured her hand, “Would you care to take a walk with me? I've always envied the Taengean coastline.” Everyone questions, would Persephone gladly take the hand of Hades and return to the Underworld, if he provided her the choice at being his Queen. Same thing could be applied between Nethis and the Princess.