#bansabira

Soon the whole family was helping out getting the new place livable.

It was hard work, but Nashuja had brought with him some very useful tools, like the bronze hand saw, so much better than the flint ones they had used before.

Hdjakina, Nashuja's teenage daughter, had been helping her father before, and was a skilled and strong worker.

Even Noor was there to help. She sorted the rubble to find material that might be reusable.

It was undoubtedly Nashuja who was in charge. He led the work in a safe and knowledgeable manner, and in it was going forward faster than anyone would have imagined.

In just a few weeks they had a roof over their head and the basic facilities.

Of course Nashuja had bigger plans for the house, and it actually took him a year to finish the house. If one can even talk about "finishing" a house, since there will always be something to repair and improve - even for sims.

But now we are anticipating the course of events. There were other tasks that would be placed on Nashuja's shoulders that were more pressing. Among other things, he was given the responsibility of the full reconstruction of the Agorá. A great honor, but still not the most important thing, as it turned out.

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The truth was that Myrto was alone with her thoughts most of the day and actually quite lonely. What weighed on her the most was precisely what she couldn't talk with her mother about.

"How did I end up like this? Just work work work and no fun? Constantly tired! Never any time for myself, except when I run to the Agorá while my mother looks after the children."

"I love my family, but I can't help thinking I made the wrong choice. I should have stayed in Katafigio with Lemet. I should have followed my heart. So what, that I didn't know him?"

"I would have been happier there, wouldn't I? With his hot kisses... The smell of his skin. I think I can smell him sometimes, even though I know I'm imagining things. Alas, with Omiros everything is so plain. I know he cares about me and the children, but ... I don't know."

"I mean, he is a poet and everything, but I think he is the least romantic person I know! Just writing and weaving, that's all he does! No gentle, loving touches, no whispering of sweet words and no passionate kisses."

- Hello? Anybody home?

- Bansabira! You have no idea how lovely it is to see you! I was almost becoming erratic here on my own.

- Oh dear! What's happening?

- Nothing special. Just the same thoughts that I've head since I was pregnant with Eleos. You know, if I did the right thing or not. With Lemet, you know.

- Myrto, you really should get those thoughts out of your head! Are you crazy? Look at what you have! Three lovely children and a husband that loves you!

- I know, but ... but I'm not happy! Don't I deserve to be happy?

- What do you mean Myrto? You can't be ecstatic all the time! You are married, and life has it's ups and downs. Nobody is happy all the time, right?

- I know, but just the thought that THIS is all there is for me and ...

- Stop it! Sometimes you are really selfish and immature! Are you going to throw all this away for some hot kisses with a man you don't really know? Wake up!!

- I can't help thinking about it! Especially when I'm tired and bored. It's just .... I'm a terrible person.

- No you are not terrible. But I think you need to spend time with grown ups, so we can talk some sense into you!

- But the children? I can't leave them alone with Omiros you know. I'm stuck here. Always.

- We'll find a solution. You have cousins and sisters and sister-in-laws and aunties and what not. Now tell me, how are things with Omiros?

- Oh, it's the same. Just... boring. We never seem to have time for anything more than a quick one in the dark. And not very often either.

- Well you have three children. Maybe it's not such a bad idea to be abstinent for a while.

- Haha, you are probably right. What about you, how are things with Theia?

- Well, it's up and down as well, I guess. We don't see rainbows every time either. It's just marriage... There will be better days, I hope.

- And if not, at least we can complain to each other. Thank you so much for stopping by, Bansabira, I actually feel better now.

- Good to know I've prevented a disaster. I don't think your mother would get over it, if you ran away from Manthos.

- I wont leave, I promise. It's just crazy thoughts. I will never actually do it.

- Let's hope not.

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Bansabira was well aware that royalties and distinguished guests from many Kingdoms, including Queen Euthalia of Manthos, were now waiting for them to give a dazzling performance, and she was determined to give her all.

However, no determination can overrule the decision of the body. It's just physically impossible. So while the other girls lined up for their performance of a lifetime, Bansabira was in a servant's room with high fever, nausea and a headache from Hades.

The five remaining girls did their very best, and even if they knew that the formations wasn't perfect, the audience were thrilled.

So when the Queen of Katafygio stood up and clapped and cheered - a very unroyal thing to do - the Astanna sisters felt that they had achieved what they hoped for. It was a success.

But then, just as they were taking their last dance steps, there was a terrible grumbling noise followed by a loud bang while people were thrown up in the air and swept off their chairs. The beautifully decorated room turned to a war zone, as plates, vases and furniture were whirled around as if they were leaves in an autumnal gust of wind. People, royalties and servants alike, screamed in fear, and added to the general panic.

And then there were strange silence, but the silence felt more threatening than the fierce noise just before. Dust filled the air, making it difficult to breathe and even to see more than just a hand in front of one.

Myrto first thought she was unharmed, but when she tried to get up, the floor beneath her undulated like the waves of the ocean. It wasn't from the earthquake itself, but Myrto's own balance was suddenly completely off.

People around her were moaning and wailing, some were bleeding, and everybody was in shock. It was a complete nightmare.

It wasn't even dawn yet, when the girls started the warm-up on the day of the performance. They were confident, and happily unaware of all the drama this day would bring.

At this moment everything looked calm and beautiful, but behind the thick walls the servants were hard at work on preparing the day.

When the girls arrived at Kastro Daskalió they were told to wait in the little garden at the west wing of the castle, before they would get a brief access to the dining room for a last rehearsal.

And who else but Lemet, the friendly, and not least, handsome guard, were put there to watch over them.

Myrto tried discreetly to say hello, but Lemet did not turn a hair and just stared in front of him with the usual guardian lack of facial expression. He did however blink twice, which Myrto interpreted as a sign of recognition.

Suddenly they could hear Bansabira wailing.

- Are you okay darling, Theia asked worried. My holyness! What kind of rash is that?

- I don't feel so well, I'm really dizzy and I have a pounding headache...

- Oh dear! Will you be able to perform?

- I don't know. I feel miserable...

- Oh no, this is disastrous! What are we going to do?!

- Maybe you will feel better if you lay down a while? Myrto suggested. You can even rest through rehearsals if necessary?

- What if I don't get better? The formation wont look good if we are not in full!

- I know Bansabira, but what can we do? If you can't stand on your feet, you can't dance!

- ... Ugh! ... I can't believe this is happening! I'm going to destroy the whole performance for us!

Luckily, after being treated with cold compresses and a calming healing massage from Theia, things were looking a bit brighter. The rash was hardly visible and she felt better. She promised the rest of the group that she would be able to perform, but nobody were convinced. She looked terribly sick.

Before they went to Katafigio they were invited to Manthos Castle to hold a private performance for the Queen. Prince Linos and the child-king Radamanthos II was also present.

- A lovely performance, the Queen said to Myrto, and a very nice dress too, if I might add. You all look very beautiful.

- Thank you! Myrto couldn't think of something more clever to say.

- ... and she complimented my dress, Myrto explained enthusiastically when she came home, and she liked our performance, and was soooo kind! And she is so pretty too, and the whole family seems so kind and friendly, and I know mother that you don't care much about the royalties, but really, - they are just really lovely people!

- Well, Noor couldn't hide her skepticism, I'm sure it could appear that way.

- That's fine Myrto, Mpatíni cut in, but you have to understand that other people might have a totally different experience with those people.

- Okay, I guess, but they were very friendly with me at least!

Mpatíni mumbled something impossible to decode.

- It's very true, Noor said, my experience with the royal family is ... not good. However, it's a long time ago, and I've heard things about the Queen that is not repulsive. That's good.

- However, she continued, my advise to you is to be friendly, polite but keep your distance. Keep in mind that they are not your friends. They are friendly as long as you suit their needs. But you should always remember that for them any one of us is replaceable, we are just pieces in their game. Take whatever this experience can bring you, the adventure of seeing a foreign country, the fame, the admiration. But don't get too close.

- My god mother, I didn't know you were such a cynic!

- Cynic? No, I'm not a cynic, Myrto, but I have life experience!

- Listen to your mother Myrto! Mpatíni said. At least you should respect her and do as she says, even if you don't agree. You might regret it if you don't.

- Now you are scaring me!

- No, no, my darling, don't be scared! We just want you to keep a healthy distance to people who might not be exactly what they pretend to be.

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When Lemet left, Myrto didn't go inside right away. She sat on the stairs, looking at the ocean, and for the second time in a few days she was thinking that her mind was going back and forth, back and forth, just like the waves.

"I must be crazy", she thought, "how can I even consider staying in Katafygio? I would probably never see my family again, it would bring such shame over them, and also over the Astanna sisters and the whole of Manthos. They would all reject me and think the worst of me! And yet - my mind is playing with me. What if I stayed?"

- Oh you stupid, stupid woman, she said out loud. What have you done? And Omiros!! How could you betray his affection in such a vile way? You are a terrible, terrible person!

- Myrto? Why are you sitting here in the shadows talking to yourself? Are you crying?

- Oh Bansabira! You startled me!

- What's wrong cousin? Is it your foot?

- No, no, it's just... It was probably that earthquake, it was so very scary the whole thing.

- Yes, I know! It was traumatizing. Thank Astanna nobody was seriously hurt.

- This has not been a good trip for you cousin. First you got sick and unable to perform, then the quake. Are you okay now?

- Yes, it's not that. I just... Bansabira suddenly fell into tears.

- Cousin, what's wrong?

- I don't know what to do! I'm so torn! You know I care about Theia very much, and she has changed my life in so many ways, but now she wants me to move in with her in the temple community, and we all know what that means: no husband, no children, no normal family life. My mother will be so disappointed!

- You shouldn't deny yourself happiness because of what others may think! And aunt Eira will come around, I'm sure. What do you want? Deep down?

- I don't know! It would be nice to have children and a family, but I love Theia so much! I don't know if I can live without her.

- You just have to decide what would be the most difficult for you, to live without her, or to live without those other things. You must follow your heart, right?

- It's so hard ...

- Well think about it this way: If there is another big earthquake in the future and you knew you would die. What would you regret more? Sharing your life with Theia, or not sharing your life with Theia? What is your heart telling you?

- Holy happenings, you are right. I love her. I really, really love her.

- But..?

- No buts! It's that simple actually. I will follow my heart, and my heart says follow Theia.

- So you will give up everything and move in to the temple?

- Yes! It's the right thing for me to do, despite what everyone else might think. Thank you Myrto, for making that clearer to me!

- I'm so glad you found it helpful . These things are not easy.

- No, they are not. But also it is very easy when you love someone. Now, we should start packing and get ready for our journey back. Are you coming inside?

- No, I will just go for a little swim first to get freshened up and clear my mind.

- Okay. You want me to stay?

- No, no, I will be fine!

"Follow your heart! Follow your heart!" Myrto's own words were like a echo inside, mocking her for her doubts and indecisiveness.

At the temple the group was rehearsing eagerly. The official name was the "Astanna Temple Choir", but usually they were just called "Astanna's Sisters" They were performing at all important ceremonies and festivals at the temple, and the word about their skills had also reached the palace. The Queen wanted them for a very honorable task: a performance abroad.

Whether it was a performance or a rehearsal, the group always attracted attention, especially from family and friends, but also from strangers and passersby.

A familiar face in the audience was Omiros, and Myrto was always happy to see him, and appreciated his presence.

- Dearest Omire, Myrto whispered, I'm so grateful that you're coming here to meet me, because you can't really see us dancing, can you?

- I can't see you, but I can hear you and feel the energy, I wouldn't miss it for a thing, but you are the main reason for me being here, that's true, my muse and inspiration.

Omiros was also sometimes invited to the temple to recite his poems, and then it was Myrto's chance to show her support.

- Don't be nervous, your poems are outstanding, you recite them so beautifully and you look absolutely stunning, just so you know!

It might surprise you that Noor allowed Myrto to continue assisting Omiros and his family with practical help. It wasn't just philanthropy. Noor also hoped that Myrto would realize what such a relationship would entail.

And the truth is Myrto was a little apprehensive about the amount of work, but she also thought - and she wasn't wrong - that it wasn't much different from the workload any married woman in Manthos would take on without complaining.

So to Noor's frustration, these visits made Myrto feel more attached to Omiros and not less. They had deep and exciting conversations. Omiros was so compassionate and pensive, and Myrto loved these long conversations. Nobody could tell stories like he did, so colorful and with many layers. He was a true poet.

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A few months later, after a good week of traveling, the delegation reached Kastro Daskalió at sunset. Myrto thought it was the most beautiful place she had ever seen, so colorful, so lush and so rich in all ways.

Unfortunately this was not were they were going to live the next few weeks, they were installed in a much simpler building, at a good distance from the castle.

- Not much chance for us to became too friendly with the royals. Myrto commented, We wont even see them!

As good was, the house was close to the beach, a perfect place to practice, and fine-tune the final details. At all time they were safely looked after by Teo and a guard from the castle.

And of course they had to to test the waters.

- The water is like silk! Myrto said, not anything like the river at home!

In the evening they played games, told crazy stories and laughed so hard that Teo sometimes just shook his head. He also prepared some familiar food for them, it was much appreciated, since the dishes sent from the castle were quite spicy and unfamiliar.

After a few days the girls were starting to get a bit bored. There wasn't much to do except swim and practice. However, Myrto always had an eye for ways to entertain herself and the group.

- Oh yeah! Look at that girls, we have a new guard today! And isn't he something! A real Adōnis, isn't he? What's your name, handsome?

The guard didn't seem remotely interested. Or maybe he just didn't understand Simsk.

- Myrto! Leave him alone! What are you playing at!? Bansabira was annoyed.

- Come on! I'm just joking! What's the big deal?

- The big deal is, Teo's voice was tensed, that you are unrespectful!You can bring shame on the group, and your behavior can actually get him fired.

- Fired? You are kidding me!

- I'm not. If he's suspected of the slightest flirtation or unwanted attention towards you girls, he's in trouble.

- But he didn't do anything! I did!!

- They might not believe that.

- Now I feel terrible. I'm sorry, okay?

- I just wish you would think before you speak sometimes, Teo sighed.

- I thought you were seeing Omiros? Bansabira asked. So why are you flirting with strangers?

- I... I... That's different. Omiros is different.

- Oh is he now. Bansabira replied sarcasticly.

- It's not very honorable Myrto. Teo shook his head. You should think carefully about what you want in your life and who you want to be. Grow up!

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