Thread: The Cost of Blood (Father and Belle)

Father Figure said The touch was not an unwelcome one no matter the outward mien of the man in question. He turned his head towards it just slightly, not giving air to an expression of his joy at her visiting but nonetheless it was shown in that one brief physical activity of kissing her cheek. A small brush of the lips that confirmed his love. It was comforting to have his daughter around in these long nights though he knew such time might very well be coming to an end for them both. It was true that even after she had gone he would have the companionship of the helot peasants who had served his family for generations, yet their service did not engender the bright spark of compassion that this one woman did in his life. The only other who had ever done so was her Mother and soon, like his wife, she would leave his home forever. At times, times that he never would have spoken of to the young girl, he was jealous of the man who would take his daughter from his tutelage. Life however always took. One way or another it was always the same. His shoulders tightened as his young girl's arms wrapped around them, the heavy muscles flexing not to show off his prowess but in mere response to her embrace. It emphasized the stark physique, the arcs of his perfectly trained chest as he stretched back just slightly in the warm waters. All was done in a way that emphasized everything about the warrior's physique and none of it done to illicit admiration. One of his strong hands came up to take her in it's grasp, not touching her hand but taking her wrist and clamping the strong fingers upon it in a way that could only be called possessive. He had never held back with her, never showed her mercy even if he showed her kindness. It was not the way of their people and he would not spare her the hardships of the flesh. His voice was deep, resonant, a strength that came from the core as he replied to her. If it does so then perhaps I will be born anew, yes daughter? The skin of youth beneath the old that falls off of me? Silly games, silly words, but as he turned his head he could tell his daughter had something in mind already to converse over. It was not rare for her to come into bathhouse while he was there, he had always welcomed her so. He gave her wrist a small tap as he straightened to stand in the waters, moving to turn to stare into her eyes. Ah, there it was, that was what had given him an understanding of her need to speak with him. The eyes giving away a potential move in the war that was life. You come to speak with me. Is there news? There was no worry to his voice, nor curiosity. He said it with the same matter of fact mannerism he would have asked had he wished to know the weather or of the death of a soldier. What was, was. Click to expand... Aelia treasured moments like these. Sometimes it seemed the whole world was shifting too fast - like a run away chariot whose wheels kept spinning around and around... So moments like these, where the two of them could simply be together, without any upset, without any anxiety, were as rare and precious to her as jewels. A warm grin spread across her cheek as he kissed her cheek and his body relaxed against her touch, as though he were Atlas himself with the world on his shoulders and she lightened his load if only for a little while. And perhaps it was odd how his firm touch on her wrist delighted her, Aelia found the tightness of this touch soothed her, made her feel secured, and very much treasured. As he stood in the water she very carefully kept her eyes only on his. Such a thing was the respectful thing to do. She had no shame in either of their nakedness. Shame was a wasted emotion to a Spartan - wasted and utterly disgraceful. Shame implied regret, and a Spartan should always possess the wit and strength to never regret. Though if Aelia could be said to have one...it was that there was only so much time she had left in this home she had come to love for so long. What use is there for youthful skin? Aelia began with a warm curl of her lips, When it holds in it none of the wisdom that comes with age? And beside the point, I refuse to believe my father is old. He could give even the whelps of Sparta a good beating should they need it! The grin on her face remained for a moment and then she blinked and knew the time for teasing was over. With a deep sigh she extended him the letter. Damianos, son of Crytos, has learned of my eighteenth name-day last month...and announces his arrival in three days' time to formally proclaim and begin his suit for my hand, she explained. With your permission of course. Aelia gave very little inflection to her voice. With it she showed no liking or disliking...rather the much colder indifference she had towards the whole affair.