The weight in my chest from the emotional scene with my family began to settle as Father Karteros and I walked towards the house of Pistós Kyamelos. The air felt crisp with purpose. Father, usually so measured and quiet, seemed lighter, the unexpected joy from our family conversation still lingering in his expression. He spoke of Pistós not just as Theano's father, but as a friend he had known since they were boys, back when their world was smaller and their biggest worries were scraped knees and fishing by the stream.
"Pistós and I," Father said, a small smile on his face, "we've shared many seasons. Laughed together, helped each other out." He walked with a familiar, steady stride beside me. "Normally, for a betrothal, you might involve a matchmaker, someone acquainted with many families, skilled in finding the right connections, smoothing the way. Often a woman, they see the heart of families." He paused, looking ahead at the road leading to Pistós's house. "But for this… with Pistós, I think we can speak plainly, as friends. There is respect and trust between us. A matchmaker isn't necessary here." He seemed confident, believing their long friendship would make everything turn out just fine.
God's voice offered a dry commentary in my head. "Matchmaker: social intermediary facilitating alliances. Role is logical for complex social negotiations. Bypass is high-risk, low-efficiency strategy if outcome is uncertain. However, pre-existing bond between parties alters probability assessment. Friend designation: relevant variable. Emotional history: less quantifiable variable." Goddess, perhaps preoccupied with the anticipation of seeing Theano, was quieter, a soft hum of nervousness I mirrored.
As we approached their house, a familiar, welcoming structure, I felt my heart rate increase. Pistós Kyamelos came out to greet us before we even reached the door, a look of surprise on his face at our unexpected visit. He was a man of kindness, with eyes that held a gentle warmth, much like Theano's. He knew, instinctively, that this was not a regular call between old friends. There was a formality in our stance, in the time of day.
"Karteros! Himerios! This is an unexpected pleasure," Pistós said, his voice warm but his eyes assessing. He welcomed us in, paying whatever respects were necessary, offering us a place to sit in the cool shade of his courtyard. The air here smelled of honeysuckle and the sea.
We sat, and after exchanging pleasantries that felt a little stiff with the unsaid purpose hanging in the air, Father began. He spoke in a way that was, for him, rather indirect, circling the matter with careful words. He talked about the changing seasons, about the importance of family and continuity, about the joy of seeing one's children grow and the paths they choose. He spoke of the respect he held for Pistós and his family, for their long friendship, for the good standing of their households in the community. He was laying the groundwork, approaching the topic with the cautious tread of a man who valued proper procedure, even when bypassing the usual steps.
Pistós listened patiently, nodding along, but a faint confusion crossed his features. He didn't quite seem to grasp the full meaning behind Father's long, winding, indirect explanation. His brows furrowed slightly. God noted this inefficiency with a low rumble of disapproval. "Explanation is circuitous. Lacks directness. Outcome uncertainty increases. Suboptimal communication strategy." Goddess hummed with a confused warmth. "The words are… soft. The feeling is… circling? What is the core truth?"
Father, sensing Pistós's confusion, shifted his approach. He leaned forward slightly, his voice becoming more direct, cutting through the pleasantries and the layered meaning. "Pistós," he said, his voice clear and steady now. "My old friend. The reason for our visit, mine and my son's, is… it is a matter of our children." He paused, letting the implication hang for a moment. "Himerios and Theano. They… they have spoken to us. Both have expressed a deep affection for one another. A desire to… to build a life together." He met Pistós's gaze directly. "We have come, as is right, to you, Pistós. To seek your agreement. To seek betrothal between our households. Between Himerios and your daughter, Theano."
The impact of Father's direct words was immediate. The confusion cleared from Pistós's face like mist burning off in the sun. His eyes widened slightly in surprise. God noted, "Communication efficiency increased. Purpose clearly stated. Negotiation phase imminent." Goddess resonated with the emotional weight of the statement. "The truth! Spoken! A path opens!"
My own attention was suddenly drawn by movement from the house. Theano came out slowly, hesitant at first, her eyes wide with surprise at seeing us there. But as her gaze met mine across the space of the courtyard, her initial shyness was replaced by a flush that rose on her cheeks, and then… an unmistakable spark of excitement in her bright eyes.
In that moment, across the space of the courtyard, we conversed without speaking, a silent, powerful dialogue passing between us. Her eyes, wide and a little flushed, seemed to say, 'You came! Is this... is this why you're here? Are you really making this all happen?' And my eyes, I hoped, conveyed, 'Yes. It is. We are here. For us. For the future we spoke of.' It was an unspoken dialogue, a confirmation of the truth we had shared just yesterday, a silent promise passing between us under the oblivious gaze of our fathers. She looked at me with a mixture of surprise and hope, her face flushed, her eyes shining.
As this silent conversation passed between us, Pistós watched Theano. He saw the flush on her cheeks, the excitement in her eyes, the way she looked at me. Suddenly, a light dawned on his face, a warm, knowing smile. The confusion cleared completely. He understood Father's earlier, indirect explanation now, in light of Theano's reaction. He understood why his daughter had been looking so happy the other day, why she had been trying to say something to him, hovering with unspoken words he hadn't quite grasped. His gaze softened as he looked at Theano.
A warm smile spread across Pistós's face, mirroring Theano's earlier one. He looked at her, his voice gentle, drawing her into the conversation directly, acknowledging her unspoken truth. "Theano," he said softly. "My dear. Is this… is this what you have been trying to tell me? Is this the news you carried?"
The flush on Theano's face deepened, but she met her father's gaze with courage, nodding. Then she found her voice, quiet but clear, a little shaky with emotion. "Yes, Father," she confirmed. "It is. I… I wanted to tell you, but I didn't have the courage yet. I wasn't sure… sure you would agree." Her admission of shyness, so like my own past struggles, made my heart ache with tenderness. Goddess sighed softly in my head, a sound of empathy and understanding. "Shyness. The struggle to voice truth. She feels it too. The fear of disagreement." God simply observed, "Confirmation of prior data received from Theano via non-verbal and hesitant verbal communication. Correlation established."
The air in the courtyard shifted. The unsaid purpose was now out in the open, confirmed by both children. Father Karteros's smile widened. He and Pistós Kyamelos, old friends, now sat down to talk not just as friends, but as fathers considering the future of their children. The conversation turned to the practicalities – the terms of the marriage, the dowry, the exchange of gifts, the timing. God became fully engaged in my head, his voice a rapid-fire assessment. "Negotiation phase initiated. Practical variables discussed. Resource assessment. Alliance terms. Logical framework for alliance formation." Goddess was quieter, listening to the sounds of their voices, sensing the feeling of agreement building between them, the warmth of shared purpose.
They talked for a long time, two sensible, respected men reaching an accord. They spoke of the strengths of our families, the respect we held in the community. Finally, both agreed. They saw the sense in the match, the potential for a strong union. But they also decided, practical as ever, that given our young age, they should wait another year before the marriage ceremony itself. Betrothal now, marriage in a year's time. A sensible plan, giving us time to grow, for me to establish myself.
Theano, who had been standing nearby, listening quietly, her hands clasped tightly, had been doubtful about her father's approval. That was why she hadn't spoken to him about it herself, waiting for me, for Father Karteros, to initiate the formal request. But now, seeing his agreement, hearing the final decision, tears welled up in her eyes. Silent tears of happiness streamed down her face. She didn't make a sound, just cried quietly, her gaze fixed on her father. She went to him, and in a choked whisper, filled with gratitude, she thanked him.
"Thank you, Father. Thank you for letting this happen." Pistós hugged his daughter, holding her close, patting her back gently.
Watching this, seeing Theano's quiet, profound happiness, her relief and gratitude towards her father, a new thought formed in my mind. I had always seen Father Karteros as the embodiment of order and practicality, sometimes distant in his focus on duty. But seeing him here, as the reliable foundation, the one who took the necessary steps, who was respected and trusted enough to bypass convention for his son's happiness… I realized how reliable he truly was. How his structure provided security. A new feeling of respect and admiration filled me. I thought, with a sudden sense of purpose, that I should become like my father in that regard. Reliable. A solid foundation that could support others, support a family. God's voice approved. "Desire for reliability noted. Goal aligns with logical framework for stability. High probability of success if applied consistently."
I was all surprised about how things were turning out, not just in my favor, but with such warmth and acceptance, such unexpected ease from both families. The difficult, internal world of voices and conflict seemed, for these moments, distant, less powerful than the external reality of love, family agreement, and friendship bridging the way. Goddess hummed with a joyful, surprised sound. "Outcome exceeds probability! Success in negotiation! Feeling is high! Friendship smoothed the path!" God simply noted, "Outcome: Favorable. Probability model requires adjustment based on 'friendship' variable coefficient."
Then, Theano, her eyes still wet but shining with renewed courage, looked at me. She had watched me confess my love, watched me stand before my father, watched him agree. Now, she wanted to claim a moment, a specific, chosen moment, to show the same courage, to mark this new phase in a way that felt true to her. Despite her shyness, she wanted one more moment, a moment chosen by her, to mark this new phase. While her father and mine were still there, discussing the details, she turned to me.
"Himerios?" she said, her voice low, but determined. "Would… would you meet me?" Her gaze flickered towards the edge of the courtyard, towards the direction of our usual place by the stream. "Later? This evening? At our usual place?" The request, made right there, right then, in front of our fathers, was a bold step for her, filled with shy courage. Goddess resonated deeply with her bravery. "Courage! Taking the step! Voice the desire! Yes!" God observed, "Social interaction outside formal negotiation. Protocol deviation. Assessment required based on time and location."
I looked at her, my heart full, the surprise at her boldness quickly replaced by a surge of affection and admiration. Then I looked at my father. He was still talking with Pistós, but his eyes were on me, a knowing smile on his face, having heard Theano's request. It was a small thing, asking permission, a formality now that the larger matter was settled, but it felt right, acknowledging his role in this path.
"Father," I said, a small smile mirroring his. "If you may…"
He chuckled, a warm, rumbling sound that spoke of his own happiness in that moment. "Go on, Himerios," he said, waving a dismissive hand, though his eyes were full of warmth. "Go. Go meet your betrothed." His laughter was gentle, full of understanding and approval. He agreed.
My surprise at how smoothly things had gone, how much understanding and warmth I had encountered, was immense. My heart swelled with gratitude and a joyful anticipation that overshadowed the voices' usual hum. We were going to be betrothed. The path was set, agreed upon by our families. And before even leaving, Theano, with her own quiet courage, had claimed a moment just for us, a secret meeting in our special place to begin this new chapter. We would meet later, at our usual place, carrying the weight and the joy of this day with us. The formal steps were agreed, the fathers continued their discussion, and Theano and I shared a look, a silent promise of our meeting, a moment claimed in the midst of tradition, a quiet act of courage.