~^~
You are the breath of spring, the colors of summer and the warmth of winter. All it takes is one touch to perhaps make you see. But I must ensure you are safe, from everything and even from the undoing of me.
~Zolav~
Rome, 30 BC
'Dreams and hopes are the weaknesses of human existence.These were the words of my father. I couldn't fault him for thinking this for his life did prove that concept. But I don't see things the way he did. Dreams, hopes, and anything alike are the things that give our lives meaning. Without meaning, what is the point of living?
But I suppose, it is a father's duty to teach his son to be strong and rigid. Especially when his son would succeed him in his military rank. I wished he would have seen that it takes more than force, harshness to mold a man. That a boy also needed affection. But I couldn't turn the past. I can only be grateful of what I have become.
The sun rises and the warm light gives life to everything it touches. I look up and I see her walking out to her balcony. She loved that. I could see her hair, long and flowing, and her white Chiton that trains at the back of her body. I have to see her, I have to speak with her.
My chest feels heavy because if I had the choice, I wouldn't do this to her. But life isn't always going to give you what you want. I speed up my steps, going into the building with much haste, ignoring some of the brief greetings. For the moment, they are not what concerns me.
It might have been somewhat inappropriate for me to walk up these stairs, and all the way to the living quarters. Especially to a woman's chamber, but I've been here since I was a child. And I've been by her side since then too. Maybe, I have broken the norm.
Her ladies welcomes me to her room and her guards gives me a small smile. I enter her room, knowing exactly where to go to find her. But I pause for a moment, because even from where I am standing, she looks divine. The wind is soft, it plays with her hair, making it do small twirls while her white dress shakes ever so soft. She is what an angel looks to me. And I may be biased, but she is my perfection.
Her skin is still as pale as ever, I could see. Even though she spends all time she could under the sun, it remains that color, as if reflecting her stubborn mind. I think she could sense me because it only took her a couple of seconds to turn, and meet my eyes. Does she feel what I feel?
"Hello, Eris." I say, chuckling at her surprised expression.
"You nearly had me falling over the balcony." She rolls her eyes. "You've convinced them to stop announcing your name when you come?"
"Eris, they stopped announcing my name here since I was eleven." I reminded her, taking a step forward. I stretched my arms, welcoming her for an embrace.
"Perhaps. And perhaps that is a thing to be celebrated. As is your return." She smiled and wrapped her arms around me. I hug her tight, closing my eyes and enjoying her scent. I have missed her so. And I may miss her even more. She sighed and I slowly release her.
"Come," she says. "enjoy the sun with me." she takes my hand and we both stare out towards the city. I glance brief at them, the streets, the busy chatters of the business-exchanges and the laughter of privileged women. But my mind is still halted at what I must tell her.
"Eris, I have news to share." I begin, already feeling the sourness in my stomach.
"Do tell me. Is it other than to tell me that you will permanently reside here now? No more practices in the midst of nothing, hikes onto the highest parts of Olympus?" She asked as she waves at her acquaintance on the street below. Her tone is light, happy.
