OOC: Story first, then I will talk to Agamemnon.
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The Palla King
The legend of the Palla King contains the adventures, and misadventures, of more than one Athenian Prinkipas. The following story is thought to be about Ainos Tambien Fotismenos.
To help you understand the story, some facts about ancient Athenian marital traditions must be understood. Below is a summary of said traditions.
Progamos- Pre-wedding ceremony (pl. progamoi)
The Progamos usually included a feast where the bride and groom would sit at opposite ends of the table to symbolize their separation. At the conclusion of the feast, usually held at the father of the bride's home, the bride would take her childhood items, such as dolls and toys, out onto the street where she would give them away. This symbolized her new status as a woman. After giving away her things, the bride would go to the ocean and bathe in the waves to wash away the last of her childhood. She would then go home and spend the night preparing herself for the wedding.
Gamos- Marriage ceremony (pl. gamoi)
The Gamos was the actual ceremony where the bride and groom were married. It usually took place in the square next to Athena's Monument or on the beach.
Metagamilos- Post-wedding ceremony (pl. metagamiloi)
The Metagamilos was the time when the now married couple left and went to their new home, bought beforehand. The bride and groom would seal their marriage that night, and in the morning the new family would throw a party that typically included food, drink, music, and dancing.
The legend is directly below.
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Ainos slowly entered the home through its modest doorway, feeling conspicious in his feasting clothes. His body felt numb, a sensation that contrasted completely with the elation he felt at finally wedding Calpetha. He was 21, and she was 20. He thought of her, and his knees weakened as he remembered her sweet laugh and her beautiful face.
Then he saw her. She looked beautiful in her feasting gown, and he stopped. He zoomed in on her face, saw her numbness and pensive expression. Suddenly, his numbness evaporated just as hers did. They walked towards each other and embraced. For a moment they lived in their own world, but that didn't last. Other guests that were here for the feast of the Progamos began coming up to them and congratulating them.
The evening was a memorable one, and Ainos was glad he could forget about the concerns raised by Agamemnon even for a little while. When the feast was over, he followed her to the ocean with the rest of the feast guests and watched as she walked out into the waves. The spray moved her hair about like it was alive, and the waves broke against her. She had never been more beautiful.
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Ainos started at his surroundings as he waited for his bride to appear. He was right next to the great monument to Athena, the one his father had comssioned so many years ago. The square was crowded, but most people did not know that this was the wedding of one of the Fotismenos brood. Indeed, many must have assumed it was the wedding of a rich merchant.
Ainos's thoughts were interrupted when Calpetha appeared next to him. She was dressed in a beautiful golden dress, with a bride's of pearls and desert gems on her head. This drew the notice of more of the crowd. After all, the pearls were limited and were only gotten through trade with faraway tribes. A very rich merchant then.
Then, the mystic of Athena, in a booming baritone, began the vows.
"Does the bride, Calpetha, agree to love, respect, treat equally, and sacrifice for her groom? Does the bride agree to stay by his side, never be unfaithful, and support him in all endeavors? Answer under the watchful eyes of the mother of the Greeks, Athena."
Calpetha was caught by a momentary fit of nervousness, but a squeeze of Ainos's hand ended that. She firmly stated, "Yes. I, Calpetha, agree to all of those things."
The mystic then turned to Ainos.
"Does the groom, Ainos, agree to love, respect, treat equally, and sacrifice for his bride? Does the groom agree to stay by her side, never be unfaithful, and support her and any family she will produce? Answer under the watchful eyes of the mother of the Greeks, Athena."
Ainos looked at Calpetha one last time before saying anything, and stated, more firmly than Calpetha had before him, "I agree."
The priest looked up at the sky, and said the final blessing. "You are wed under Athena and the pantheon of all other gods."
Ainos kissed his wife, and joyfully repeated the last words of the blessing. You are wed.
As he led her to their new home, he could only hope that this 2 days happiness would not be doused by the stifling waters of politics.