That night Cilla stood by her father as he welcomed an older man into their home. The man was decent in looks, or more he was when he was younger and it still shined through just barely. There was no doubt that he had many years behind him and may have even rivaled her father in age. His dark brown hair was peppered with grey and his sturdy body seemed well feed. The two men shook hands before pulling each other into a one armed embrace.

"Biton, this is my beautiful daughter." Her father stepped aside to show her off. "Cilla this is the man I told you of."

Ass her father ushered her forward she shook herself from her thoughts and bowed. She breathed a greeting, knowing well not to speak too loudly. Once the man had time to appraise her with his eyes the group moved to the living quarters. Cilla's mother pulled out the family lyre and began strumming soft music to help ease the men. Cilla herself became the hostess, running for drinks and food whenever asked. Rarely did she get to speak to the man she found might become her husband. She did however learn that he already had many children whose mother had passed during a drought a few years back. It was the biggest reason he didn't mind having a sickly wife. He just needed someone to care for the children as a mother, not give birth to them.

Finally time came for her to make the men dinner. She enjoyed the time alone in the kitchen. Enjoyed not having to run back and forth and hear comments on her form or questions about her sturdiness as if she was not there. She knew that it was only normal. He wanted to make sure she would meet what he needed in a wife. She normally didn't. But still it felt horrible to only be looked upon for such things. She could cook, sew, play many instruments, dance, sing, and even wrote lovely. She would be appraised for all of this. However she also had her thoughts and her opinions, neither of these would matter. Neither of them would ever be spoken either.

After finishing the meal she plated it and carried two large trays to the main dining hall where the men now sat. Her mother continued to play for them, smiling and saying thanks anytime a praise was given. Cilla loved that her mother was perfect in all she did. She was raised to be the perfect wife and mother and lived up to it.

"Cilla dear, will you fetch Aetes?" Her mother called. "He went out to play in the courtyard."

"Yes mother." She bowed her head before placing the last plate in front of her father and heading out. She followed the path of her brother, knowing it well enough. He enjoyed playing out by the willow on the far side of their home. She heard her brother before she saw him though. His voice coming from behind the willow.

"You were at the temple weren't you?" There was a pause of silence, Cilla stopping to try and peer around to see if her brother was talking to anyone. "Are you a beggar? Do you live around here? What's your name?"

The onslaught of questions kept coming, prompting Cilla to step around the tree. There her brother was facing a man in a hooded cape. His face was hidden just as it had been at the temple. Shocked and fearful that he was a kidnapper, Cilla rushed to grab her brother and pull him behind her. She wanted to tell the man to leave, but her words choked in her throat. Instead it was Aetes who spoke up. "If you are a beggar we can feed you. Sister cooked tonight."

"Aetes!" She whirled to look at her innocent brother. He didn't know the dangers of the world. Didn't realize that even beggars could harm you.

"...That sounds nice…" The voice was soft, gentle, and something about it made her heart leap. Why did it sound sad?

"Oh good. I'll show you the way! Father will be happy to see a guest!" Aetes started off, all intent on showing their father his guest, but Cilla grabbed his arm and bent to his level.

"Dearest brother, father is entertaining Lord Biton. He would not take fondly to an unannounced guest." When her brother's face fell she sighed. "Run along, they are waiting for you. I will treat him to a special meal. Afterwards we can announce him properly."

Aetes's face lite once more before he ran off to the dining hall. She hated to see him sad, however she would have to get this man to leave before the meal was over. She looked back at the hooded man and smiled, knowing she had to be courteous for her brother. She motioned for him to follow her, leading the man to the kitchen and adjoined women's dining hall. He followed without a word, taking a seat at the table and quietly watching her as she went back and forth. She brought him a cup filled with a diluted wine and a plate filled with what would have been her dinner. He didn't touch it however, sitting silently as if waiting for something.

"Is there anything else I can get you?" She rose a brow at him, wondering if by chance he was picky. However he shook his head and faced her. Her breath caught, seeing a decent view of his face for the first time. Scars covered his cheek and beautiful two toned eyes caught hers. Her eyes traveled, noticing more scarring along his throat, which was barely visible under the nape of his hood. The man's eyes widened when hers went back to them and he quickly lowered his head, hiding his face once more with the fabric.

"Are you not going to eat?" His voice was still gentle and level. He looked up at her from behind hood and lashes, making sure to keep his face as well concealed as possible.

"Ah… No. I'll eat once all the men are finished." She painted a smile on her lips before grabbing her mother's pan flute. If her father found out she had allowed a man into their home without telling him he'd be furious, but if her brother found out she didn't treat this man the same they treat Biton he'd be crushed. And with this in mind she began quietly playing the instruments. Every so often she would look up to see him watching her, turning his face whenever she did so. He picked at the food and sipped at the wine. When he spoke again she almost jumped, surprised by it. "So you were asking for Hera's blessings?"

After a moment to process what he asked she nodded, pulling the pipes from her lips. "Yes, mother wanted to."

"...For marriage?" His eyes locked with her once more, this time for slightly longer before he turned away.

"Ah… Yes…. for her blessing on finding a husband." She felt strange. Why did he wish to know? Did it mean anything whether they asked from Hera or didn't ask at all?

"You mentioned her son…" He seemed to be trying to ask something, but at the same time he seemed to be dodging it. She thought for a moment before recalling what he meant. The reason she saw him in the first place.

"Yes. My brother wishes to become a blacksmith. So I pray Lord Hephaestus be kind and bestow him with his grace." She smiled at the thought. Aetes was her light and she had helped her mother raise him. Everything the boy did was like gold in her life and the idea of him becoming great at something he seemed to be passionate about made her heart swell.

"Ah…" The man looked down at the cup in his hands, studying the contents. "Thank you for your kindness. I am sure the lame god will watch over him…" with that he set the cup down and started towards the door. Her heart raced at his words. She felt a combination of happiness and irritation at them. But she said nothing as he walked out and disappeared into the night.

He was foolish to leave his forge a second time in a day. Word had spread fast and now on his way home he was being bombarded. First by his younger brothers, Hermes and Apollo, then by a few nymphs. Finally, outside his home, his mother stood waiting. Anger burned in her eyes with clear reason why. How dare he show his face in the world of the mortals. How dare he do something without her permission first. Ignoring her he walked into the forge and immediately grabbed his tongs and a rod of steel, thrusting it into the flames of his workshop. This didn't stop her from following and reprimanding him however. The night would be a long one.