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Eurypon Kremnos’ celebrates his 40th birthday!

Published May 23^rd, 2015

Eurypon Kremnos, one of the leading filmmakers of 21^st century, has turned 40 on May 23^rd 2015! The famous screenwriter, producer, director – what can’t this man do? – has been spotted at a restaurant celebrating his day with his beloved wife and the muse for more than half of his films, Gorgo Kremnos, and their child, the ever-elusive Mydeimos. Our favorite couple has been known to value their privacy, so all questions and birthday wishes were left without comment but, for the first time in forever, we were able to catch the whole family together! (click here to view the photos)

This also marks as Mydeimos’ first, and hopefully not last, appearance in the public eye! The boy – now a teenager – had been hidden by his parents ever since he was born and we were only able to catch a few glimpses of his face before today. Looking at him now, it’s no wonder the Kremnos couple was so zealous in their protection – the boy looks exactly like his mother! Makes one wonder if the boy will inherit his parents' legacy and usher in a new Golden Age of Cinema?...

“Your parents are going to kill me.”

Mydeimos barely looked up from his notes. “No, they won’t. They like you.”

His friend scoffed, not believing him. He discreetly looked around and his light brown eyes widened when he saw a girl their age looking too closely at Mydeimos. He pushed away from the wall and shielded the boy with his own body – feeble as he was, he was still taller than Mydeimos for now.

They were currently standing in a spacious room, that nonetheless felt as if it was filled to the brim with how many people were there. Everyone stuck to their corner – some sitting on a few chairs and couches that were available; some standing near the windows, rehearsing their lines for the last time before they got called in.

And some were staring at their potential opponents, or whatever it was that future actors called each other.

“I think someone recognized you,” the older boy whispered. His back was burning from the weight of the girl’s stare. He swallowed, suddenly nervous.

“Impossible,” Mydeimos immediately refuted. “No one knows how I look.”

Hephaestion looked down at him oddly, “Your face was all over the news a just week ago when you got ambushed by a paparazzi on your way home from your dad’s birthday. People know how you look, and that’s exactly why I was against this whole thing in the first place! I’m too young to die!”

Still refusing to look at him, Mydeimos shuffled from one foot to another and crossed his arms over his chest with a scowl.

Knowing the price of fame, Mydeimos’ parents had tried their hardest to hide their child away from the ever-hungry public. Despite their attempts, a few rumors and blurry pictures were still somehow leaked. But it was never as bad as last week when the whole Kremnos family was ambushed by a swarm of paparazzi when they were leaving a restaurant.

It was a disaster that unsurprisingly kickstarted Mydei’s career as an idol. Even with the boy not having any socials or even any career to speak of – he was only 15, for Kephale’s sake. But since when has that stopped anyone? When there was a will, there was a way – Hephaestion was sure that if he opened twitter right now his whole feed would be filled with blurry pics of Mydeimos’ grumpy face that was half scrunched up, half spooked from all the camera flashes.

One photo was enough for a fandom to form and so Mydeimos’ unwilling path to stardom had begun.

The young sensation in question rolled his eyes and finally looked up from the notes he’d been studying for the past hour. “Stop being so dramatic, Hephaestion. It doesn’t suit you.”

“Tell that to my grave that you’ll be honored bound to visit. My death will be on your hands, yours and Leonnius who put you up to this” his friend hissed in response. His shoulders sagged, “Nevermind, Leonnius would probably be buried next to me anyway. Even here, he drags me down and refuses to let me rest in peace.”

“A dare is a dare. Leonnius challenged me, it was only fair that I complete his task. And stop worrying, it’ll be fine,” Mydeimos brushed him off as he went back to memorizing his lines. “Father wouldn’t touch you.”

There was a moment of silence as Hephaestion let that sink in.

“…And what about Leonnius?”

Mydeimos pursed his lips. He didn’t reply.

Hephaestion let out a loud breath. His expression lightened slightly. “Honestly, he probably deserves it. I’ll make sure his grave always has the freshest flowers.”

“…You do that.”

They stood like this – with Mydeimos’ nose buried in his notes and Hephaestion hovering over him like a mother hen protecting its chick. They exchanging a few words in between, practiced for a few minutes – because even if it was a silly dare, Mydeimos still put his everything into it and refused to do it halfway – until finally the line moved and it would soon be Mydeimos’ turn to get called in.

“Alright,” Hephaestion straightened Mydeimos’ clothes and pointed him in the direction of the door. “It’ll be your turn now; your partner is already there. I can’t go any further with you, so just remember your lines and do your best!”

Mydeimos nodded. “I’m planning to.”

“I’ll be waiting for you outside. Good luck!”

Mydeimos nodded once more and watched Hephaestion leave the room. Then he went to join the other boy who will be entering the audition room with him.

What was even the purpose of having ‘audition partners’, he mused as he stood beside the unknown boy. We were all auditioning for the same role; wouldn’t it be better to separate us?...

“Uhm,” suddenly the boy beside him said. Mydeimos blinked out of his thoughts and turned to him. A shock of white hair and bright blue eyes greeted him. “Hi?”

Mydeimos stared at him. Goddamn it, even he was taller than him. “Can I help you with something.”

It was Mydeimos’ first time auditioning for a role; he wasn’t sure if there were any unspoken rules he should know about. Was talking even appropriate before an audition? His mom never mentioned anything.

Would he say a speech pronouncing them rivals, Mydeimos wondered. That was what usually happened in the movies during such moments.

He wouldn’t even mind something like that happening. It looked fun.

The boy scrunched his eyebrows. “No? I just wanted to introduce myself?”

Ah, Mydeimos thought, losing all interest. He was one of those people. Making friends left and right. Just like Leonnius.

Mydeimos’ mood soured further when he remembered the boy that was to blame for his current predicament. He hid it well while Hephaestion was around but he too was unhappy at being here. Mydeimos had plans for today – his favorite game was about to be released and instead of sitting at home waiting for it to drop, Mydeimos had to stand in this sweltering heat, auditioning for a role he didn’t want. He wasn’t even planning to be an actor and he knew Leonnius just picked whatever struck his sick and twisted mind as the funniest thing to dare Mydeimos to do.

Which in this case just ended up being something incredibly inconveniencing for the boy.

And bastard knew that too, if his infuriating grin was anything to go by.

But a lost dare was a lost dare and Mydeimos would never be called a coward. Let it be a lesson for him to never agree to any sprinting matches with Leonnius ever again.

Makes one wonder if he so fast because he’s running away from something. Like his conscience, for example. That would explain a lot about him.

“No need,” Mydeimos said and turned away from the hopeful eyes. “I’m not here to make friends.”

The boy spluttered. “Who said anything about being friends? I just wanted to know your name!”

Mydeimos looked at him sideways, suddenly suspicious. “And what do you need that for?”

The boy’s blue eyes lost a bit of its sheen. “I… what kind of question even is that?”

Mydeimos frowned. It was a normal question.

“Alright,” the boy took a deep breath. “I feel like we got off on the wrong foot. Let me start over. My name is Phainon, what’s yours?”

“…”

“Just answer the question, please.”

Mydeimos narrowed his eyes. “…Mydei.”

He wasn’t about to give this stranger his whole government name. He wasn’t sure how many other, non-Kremnos, Mydeimoses were out there his age but he doubted that number was higher than 10. Better safe than sorry. His mother was very thorough when choosing his name.

(And he really, really didn’t want to deal with his parents’ lawyers today. He hoped this audition would end quickly so that he’d come home, his parents none the wiser.)

“Mydei,” the boy – Phainon – repeated with a smile. “That’s a nice name.”

It wasn’t even his real name, Mydeimos wanted to say but he held his tongue at the last moment. It wasn’t exactly right to say so. Mydei was his name, just… not one he used often.

He closed his mouth instead, not saying anything.

The silence stretched for a few awkward moments. The pair in front of them had entered the room. In a few minutes, it’d be their turn. Mydeimos closed his eyes and went back to repeating his lines in his head, committing them to memory.

Next to him Phainon fidgeted in his place. He fiddled with the hem of his shirt for a bit before he opened his mouth again, “So, Mydei… do you do this often?”

Mydei slowly opened his eyes. He should’ve known that he would not have neither peace, nor enjoy the silence today. Leonnius was the first sign that he stupidly ignored, still hoping for the day to turn around at the last moment.

“Do what often.”

Phainon gestured at the room. “Go to auditions. That sort of thing.”

“No.”

“No? It’s your first time here?”

Mydei frowned. “Yes.” And hopefully last.

 “Really?” Phainon’s face brightened. “Me too!”

Mydei let out a noncommittal hum and looked at the door, wishing for it to open this instance so that he could escape this conversation. Phainon took that as an invitation to talk further.

“I know chances of me passing are pretty nonexistent because of my age but, you know, I wanted to try anyway. The what ifs were killing me. My older sister brought me here – she’s waiting outside – but my parents don’t know I’m auditioning for anything; they think I went out with Cipher, that’s my sister, to the mall. I don’t know, I just wanted to…” he shrugged, his expression sheepish. “Try, I guess.”

Mydei’s face softened. He could sympathize with the boy’s feelings even if he wasn’t sure why exactly he was telling him all this. Then his eyebrows scrunched when some of the words registered. Something wasn’t right in what this Phainon just said.

“Why are you so sure you won’t pass?”

Phainon looked up from the floor he’d been staring at after he finished his speech. “What do you mean? I’m 16.”

“And?” Was that supposed to tell Mydei something?

“And,” Phainon continued slowly, looking at him with raised brows. “They only cast boys over the age of 18 for the role of the Prince. It was on the flyers.”

Mydei blinked. He didn’t know that.  

In hindsight, Leonnius’ shit eating grin made even more sense now.

“So what?” he said instead. “Are you just going to give up?”

Phainon frowned. “Did you hear what I just said –”

“I heard you,” Mydei interrupted. “And I ask you – so what?”

“That’s… They can’t just pick me. There are rules in this place, they have to follow them.”

“So, you are just going to give up,” Mydei concluded. He turned around, oddly disappointed. “Figures.”

Rules or not – Mydei was still planning to give it his all. Leonnius didn’t tell him, which Mydei now suspected was part of the plan – he probably didn’t even think Mydei would go through with the dare in the first place – but Mydei refused to just… give up. He was already here, with his lines memorized and his mind ready. More than half of the way was done, giving up now simply felt wrong.

Yes, the age restriction was a surprise to him – which begged the question how did both Mydei and Phainon were allowed to get in? – but even so, there was no going back. Only forward.

“It’s not giving up,” Phainon started slowly, narrowing his eyes at Mydei. “It’s called knowing your limits. Something I suspect you might be unfamiliar with.”

Mydei raised his eyebrow, unimpressed. “Sounds like giving up to me.”

“How is that giving up when you already know that all your attempts are hopeless and you change your expectations accordingly to the situation?”

“So what, you’re going to use that excuse forever? Today it’s your age, what’s it going to be tomorrow?” Mydei asked, annoyed. “You’re walking into that room, already knowing you won’t get picked. You prepared yourself for failure and you expect to get passed over. You think the casting directors can’t feel it, too? Your reluctance is as plain as day, even I can see it.”

“This isn’t reluctance –”

“You say that you’re prepared for whatever comes,” Mydei continued as he ignored Phainon’s feeble attempts to interrupt him. “But I don’t believe you. Casting directors had made exceptions countless of times – everyone knows that, too. I don’t know what you’re capable of but if your acting skills are on par with your confidence, then I wouldn’t be surprised if you don’t get picked for the role. You already wrote yourself off, so you shouldn’t be too surprised if the casting directors do that too.”

There was a moment of silence.

Phainon’s mouth dropped. He stared at Mydei with wide eyes, speechless.

Mydei crossed his arms over his chest and scowled to the side.

He might have been harsh but Phainon had it coming. He refused to take his words back, not when he meant everything he just said.

“You,” Phainon started, his cheeks reddening and blue eyes shining with offense. “That’s… How is that…” his mouth opened and closed as he searched for words. Then he gave up and just blurted out, “Has anyone ever told you that it’s infuriating talking to you?”

Mydei scrunched his nose and deliberately turned around. “Then don’t talk to me.”

Mydei knew he wasn’t as soft spoken as most of his friends – he hated lying and he wasn’t one to sweet talk anyone into anything; his speech was always curt and to the point.

He wasn’t too surprised that Phainon found him hard to talk to. He wouldn’t be the first person, nor the last to say that.

If he was so soft, then he shouldn’t have asked for Mydei’s opinion, he couldn’t help but think petulantly.

The silence between them stretched. No one dared to say anything else, both boys feeling embarrassed and agitated in equal measures. But before the silence could turn stifling, Phainon opened his mouth.

“Sorry, that was rude,” he said. Mydei blinked out of his thoughts and shifted a tiny bit, showing that he was listening. “I mean, I did mean it – you are infuriating – but you had a point. I guess.” Phainon rubbed the back of his neck, his expression pensive. He looked at Mydei out of the corner of his eyes, “Am I… really that bad at hiding my emotions?”

“Yes,” Mydei replied instantly.

Phainon huffed out a laugh and shook his head. “Alright. I’ll try to do my best.”

“Good,” Mydei nodded, feeling something ease in his chest. That was the whole point of his speech.

He went back to reciting his lines and carelessly scanned the room. More people had joined while he and Phainon were bickering – now even the softly humming A/C couldn’t help them with the feeling of suffocation as they were slowly pressed on every side.

Mydei felt sweat bead at his temples. He dragged the collar of his shirt down and massaged his neck, trying to concentrate on something else. 

“Say,” Phainon started after a minute of silence. Mydei let out a soft hum. “Do you wanna make a bet?”

Mydei’s back went rigid.

“No.”

He learned his lesson. Betting was not an activity suited for him. Leonnius gloating laugh that still echoed in his head said as much, at least.

“Oh come one! Just one small bet!”

“I said no,” he snapped.

Gods only knew what Phainon would dare him to do. Despite his angelic face, his smile looked like he had a mind more twisted than even Leonnius. Mydei would prefer to steer way clear of that.

Phainon let out a sigh. “Fine,” he said with his shoulder sagging and bottom lip jolting out. “Figures, you’d be no fun.”

Mydei bristled. Gold eyes narrowed as he glared at Phainon. “Who are you calling no fun.”

“You,” came Phainon’s reply. “It’s just a small bet! Zero stakes. I will even promise that I wouldn’t tell you to do anything too embarrassing when you lose.”

“’When’ I lose?” Mydei repeated, shocked at Phainon’s shamelessness. “Bold words for someone that was so ready to give up less than 5 minutes ago!”

“That was so long ago, move on already!”

“What’s the bet?” Mydei demanded, explicitly annoyed at both Phainon for goading him and himself for falling for it.

A bright smile broke across Phainon’s face, erasing his fake pout in mere seconds. “A simple thing, really. I bet… that you won’t pass this audition.”

Mydei scoffed. “That’s it? Then I bet that you won’t pass this audition. A bet should go both ways.”

“We’ll see!” Phainon replied, cheerful all of a sudden. “You were so adamant that you can get in with the right energy, the right mindset or whatever, so it should be easy for you, no? Prove it to me.”

Mydei narrowed his eyes.

Just as Phainon finished talking, the door in front of them opened.

It was time.

Mydei took a confident step forward and threw over his shoulder. “Watch and learn."

Neither of them passed.

But at least Phainon did get a good laugh at the look on Mydei’s face when he was offered the role of the Princess instead of a Prince.  

He only wished he had his phone on him, that moment was golden.

“Come on,” Phainon nudged Mydei’s shoulder when they left the building. He looked up, slightly squinting at the sun that had just dipped behind the clouds. “Don’t sulk.”

Outside the green trees casted a lush shade; fresh air ruffled their hair and cooled the sweat on their faces. The park in front of the studio they were auditioning in was small but littered with benches. A small fountain was perched right in the middle of it; a steady stream of clear water tickled out.

Mydei crossed his arms over his chest and plopped himself on the nearby bench. A small pout formed on his lips. “I’m not sulking.”

Phainon sat next to him. “Yes, you are.”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes, you are,” Phainon repeated. He poked Mydei in the cheek only to have his hand swatted in response. His lips twitched; he poked him in another cheek and this time Mydei outright hissed at him – the sound loud and surprisingly deep. It’d be more impressive if only he wasn’t like… half of Phainon’s size.

Cute, he thought as laughter bubbled in his throat. He’s so cute.

 “It’s really not a big deal. You’re still young and your hair is very long, so it was no wonder they mistook you for a girl –”

Mydei swiveled to Phainon, face flushed from rage and embarrassment. “I’m 15! And I’m still growing!”

Phainon blinked. He looked Mydei up and down, “You’re 15?”

The boy was at least a whole head shorter than him. He was thin; with narrow shoulders and limbs too long for his body. His hair laid in thick fiery waves on his back as it framed his delicate if slightly pointy face. It was no wonder the casting director thought he was a girl; Phainon did too when he first saw him.

Mydei really was… a bit too pretty for Phainon’s poor heart. Just purely from an objective point of view, of course. Nothing else.

Mydei ignored him. He tugged on his braid. “And what’s wrong with my hair?”

“Nothing’s wrong with it,” Phainon replied with a shake of his head, still trying to understand how the tiny creature in front of him was apparently only a year younger than him. “Your hair is beautiful. Really, don’t take it to heart. The casting director was stupid.”

Mydei hmphed with a twitch of his nose but his frown disappeared after Phainon’s compliment.

“So,” Phainon continued, not willing to part ways yet. “Where are you going now?”

Mydei looked at his wristwatch and checked the time. “It’s not curfew yet,” he mumbled to himself. And then louder to Phainon. “I’ll probably walk around with one of my friends. He came here with me; he should be somewhere near.”

He looked around, searching for Hephaestion. But save for a few couples strolling around, the park was empty.

“He’s not here,” he frowned. “He said he’ll wait outside.”

“Maybe he’s waiting on another side?” Phainon suggested. He pointed to the corner of the studio, and smiled encouragingly at the younger boy, “I know there’s a waiting area there – Cipher should be there. Wanna come with me and we’ll search for your friend together?”

Mydei looked up at him, gold eyes narrowed as he contemplated that offer.

The sun had quietly returned; it flooded Phainon with a ticklish kind of warmth, and he barely resisted the urge to shiver from it. Feeling Mydei’s eyes on him, he rubbed the back of his neck and swallowed hard, his throat suddenly dry. A thought appeared in his mind, unbidden and ridiculous in its honesty,

‘He really was too pretty for his own good.’

“Alright,” was Mydei’s final verdict. He hoped from the bench and frowned at Phainon that continued to sit on the bench, staring at him with a slack expression. “What are you waiting for? Let’s go.”

Not long after it, they stumbled across Hephaestion that was heatedly arguing about something with none other than Cipher herself.

As first meetings go, that definitely could have went better.

The ice cream Cipher bought for them did sweeten the deal a considerable amount, though.

“That’s…” Hephaestion exchanged confused glances with Mydei as they read Nexus Magazine’s new article. “Did they actually crop out Phainon?”

“Looks like it,” Mydei let out a sigh and shut off his phone. His parents were going to kill him. A quick audition, he thought. In and out. Ha. “And we’re dating now. Apparently.”

Hephaestion let out a low hum. “Well,” he looked Mydei up and down with a critical eye. “I could always do worse.”

“…Don’t push your luck.”

BREAKING: Mydeimos seen on a romantic stroll with a friend!

Published December 15, 2016

Okhema Post recently released exclusive photos of Mydeimos Kremnos, the one and only child of the Kremnos star couple, allegedly going on secret dates with his ‘friend’, Hephaestion Sarris – the name that most of Mydeimos’ fans are intimately familiar with as it was recently leaked to the public through sources closest to the Kremnos family.

Okhema Post released a set of photos of Mydeimos concealing his appearance with a black baseball cap and dark sunglasses as he went to meet up with Hephaestion in secret on several occasions. They were caught having dinner multiple times, places like Vanilia and Mironi being among their favorites.

According to our sources, Mydeimos frequently took a cab to the Sarris’ house, spending hours and sometimes even days there. Photos showed Mydeimos running on multiple occasions, attempting to avoid any potential cameras from paparazzi.

Our sources claim that the two are said to be childhood friends, inseparable since they first met when they were only 9 years old. The moment when their friendship blossomed into something more is yet unknown as both Kremnos and Sarris’ representatives refused to comment.

Click here to read everything we know about Mydeimos Kremnos and Hephaestion Sarris so far!

Comments (371):

Top                  Newest

@hephdei4ever ·  4h ago

with the way it’s going, im actually gonna start a thread with all their interactions just to remind myself that im not actually delusional. its been a whole YEAR of this madness. just release the statement already!!!

@anonymus1827 ·  2h ago

the edging is killing me. everyone knows they’re together, why are they still hiding??

 

@forevercritical ·  2h ago

replying to @anonymus1827

there’s literally no proof of them being together. can’t two guys just be friends? It’s always dating with you people

 

@idkwhatimdoinghere ·  2h ago

replying to @forevercritical and @anonymus1827

here’s the answer to your question op, lmao. ‘can’t two guys just be friends’ not when they’re looking at each other like that, no. they’re together 24/7 and you’re surprised people ship them? is it your first day on earth?

 

@forevercritical ·  1h ago

replying to @idkwhatimdoinghere and @anonymus1827

two minors btw

 

@idkwhatimdoinghere ·  30 min ago

replying to @forevercritical and @anonymus1827

oh so minors can’t be in love. got it

 

@minorbtw·  15 min ago

replying to @idkwhatimdoinghere, @forevercritical and @anonymus1827

damn 😔

@concernedcitizen ·  21 min ago

is there a reason why everyone is so obsessed with this kid or am i missing something. did he even do anything besides being pretty and having famous parents?

 

@theonlynormalperson ·  17 min ago

replying to @concernedcitizen

no what u said sums it up pretty well. kid's a nobody, im kinda baffled by the insanity going on in the comments lmfao

 

@concernedcitizen ·  8 min ago

replying to @theonlynormalperson

honestly feel bad for the little dude. he hasn't even done anything but he has paparazzi stalking his every move just because of his parents. shit actually looks grim

 

@theonlynormalperson ·  5 min ago

replying to @concernedcitizen

dont be. thats the price he has to pay for being a kremnos. equivalent exchange and all that 

 

@concernedcitizen ·  2 min ago

replying to @theonlynormalperson

??? the hell. he didnt choose what family he'd be born in wtf nobody deserves having paps stalking your every move, even someone like kremnos. thats a crazy invasion of privacy and dont forget he's still a minor. he didnt agree to that shit 

 

@theonlynormalperson ·  1 min ago

replying to @concernedcitizen

boo fucking hoo man. you wont catch me feeling bad for some nepo baby, esp one bearing the name of KREMNOS of all people. he can wipe his tears with his daddy's money and swim in gold to make himself feel better idgaf 

@batman_idk ·  45 min ago

is anyone going to talk about how they cropped out a third person out of EVERY picture used in this article or are we all just ignoring that for some reason

 

@evilbatman_ig ·  36 min ago

replying to @batman_idk

no, I see that too. maybe it was their bodyguards?

[video description: a few reporters are seen running after two teenagers clothed in winter clothes and faces hidden by matching red scarves.]

Reporter: Mydeimos! Mydeimos, wait for a second!

Reporter: Hephaestion, are you ready to confirm the rumors –

Reporter: Mydeimos, are your parents breaking up? Your father was not present at the movie premier of –

Reporter: Mydeimos! Are you and Hephaestion dating?

Reporter: Hephaestion, are you spending your winter holidays with Mydeimos and his family? Is your family going to visit –

Reporter: Mydeimos! Mydeimos! What can you tell us about your father having an affair? Are the rumors true? Is that why –

[Hephaestion buried his head deeper into his scarf. His eyes scanned the street that was filled to the brim with reporters. Mydeimos shoved the cameras and microphones away from his face with a stony expression. He didn't say a word as he opened the door to the first nearby café and ushered Hephaestion in.]

[end video description]

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The door to the café opened with a soft chiming of the bells. The icy breeze from the outside rushed in and curled under the tables, making some people shiver and look over their shoulders. Seeing the newcomers – two teenage boys with winter caps almost pulled over their eyes – shake off the leftover snow from their coats, they quickly lost interest and returned to their drinks.

“I hope they don’t follow us here…”

The other boy shook his head. “They can’t. It’s private property; we should be safe for a time here as long as nobody knows who we are.”

“Wouldn’t they see us through the glass –”

“Shouldn’t be possible. Look closely – it’s tinted. We’re fine for now. Try to not attract too much attention to yourself.”

Hephaestion scoffed but started to unwrap the scarf around his neck. “The irony of you of all people saying this to me,” he said quietly and then, “Are they here?” he looked around the place his friend had dragged him to. It was a small, homey café with old but soft looking sofas and mismatched plush chairs pulled to the wooden tables. Wall lamps washed the whole room in warm light; blinking gold winter lights were hung up in preparation for the New Years as a warm, spicy aroma drifted through the room. A fluffy New Year tree stood in the corner, already decorated with various charming if slightly clashing ornaments.

Mydei carded his hair with his fingers and nodded. “Yes, this is the place. He said they’ll be sitting in the corner.”

They scanned the room. Hephaestion pointed at the bar where a young woman was wiping up the glasses. 

“Should we ask –”

Mydei didn’t follow his hand; he narrowed his eyes somewhere and replied. “No need. I see him. Let’s go.”

He moved without waiting for Hephaestion’s response, leaving the older boy to scramble after him. When he finally caught up with him, Mydei was standing in front of the table that was hidden in the corner near the New Year tree, its branches concealing half of the table just enough to remain unseen by most people.

Without saying a word, Mydei slid into the seat, making the two people occupying the table stop their hushed whispering and blink at him in surprise.

“When the hell did you get here?” Cipher asked, looking Mydei up and down as if she was seeing him for the first time.

“I told you to call me when you’re close so that I could welcome you properly!” Phainon whined in contrast at the same time.

With a roll of his eyes, Hephaestion sat down next to Cipher and quietly greeted the siblings.

“A few minutes ago,” Mydei replied to Cipher first before rounding on Phainon that was sitting next to him. He stuck his ice-cold hands under Phainon’s long-sleeved shirt, wrapping his fingers around the boy’s forearm to warm himself up. He ignored the older boy’s yelp and continued, “Someone sold our location to paparazzi. I already notified my parents; they should be gone once others join us.”

“Yuck,” Cipher said. “You’re only 16; you don’t even do anything for them to stalk you like this so what gives?”

Mydei shrugged. He tugged his chair closer to Phainon’s, pressing their legs together. “I assume it has to do something with my dad’s alleged affair.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard. What’s the deal with it?”

Phainon raised his arm, tucking Mydei under it. “You really need to dress appropriately. It’s cold outside, where are your gloves?” he mumbled, letting only Mydei hear him.

A bit of cold air tickled in from the small gap in the window frame, making Mydei shiver slightly. The sun outside hid behind thick clouds, disappearing from the view. The wind picked up, howling and snapping at the people on the street, making them tighten their clothes and press closer together for warmth. The snow outside of the window continued to pile up in thick snowdrifts.

December this year was much colder than usual.

“Hephaestion forgot his at home, I gave him mine. He was sick only last week, he needed them more,” Mydei replied in the same tone. And then louder to Cipher, “None of it is true. My father couldn’t attend the events with my mother because of his illness,” he scrunched his nose, “and the rumors of his affair resurface every time mother goes somewhere alone. It’s stupid.”

“At least you got here in one piece,” Cipher toasted to him with a half bitten chocolate bar. She turned to Hephaestion, “I’ve heard others were planning on joining us later? Peucesta and Leonnius, was it?”

The boy nodded. “Yes, they should be at the studio right now. Their music teacher wanted to talk to them about something –”

The two fell into easy conversation as they caught up with each other. Meanwhile, Phainon flagged the waiter, asking for the order he placed earlier.

He turned to look at Mydei that was still stuck to his side and said, voice amused. “Not that I’m complaining but you know that I’m not your personal heater, right?”

“Might as well be with how hot you run,” Mydei countered. He pressed closer.

With a twitch of his lips Phainon grabbed a blanket that was thrown over the back of the free chair and draped it over his friend’s shoulders. Immediately he felt Mydei relax against him.

“Better?”

Mydei let out a soft hum in response. He rolled his shoulders and just as he put his head on Phainon’s shoulder, their drinks came. He sent Phainon a questioning look.

“Ordered them before you came,” Phainon responded. In a surprising show of agility, he quickly rearranged the glasses, sliding each drink to their designated person, without dislodging Mydei from his shoulder. “Mountain tea for Hephaestion, Phagousa's Offering for Cipher and Pomegranate tea for you.”

Mydei looked at the blood red drink curiously. He tilted his head to look at Phainon. “With –”

“With honey, yes,” he tapped the glass lid of the honey jar on the table. “I even ordered one, just in case you want it sweeter.”

Mydei settled down, satisfied. He glanced at Phainon’s drink. “And what did you get for yourself?”

“Hm? Oh, just a simple Sea buckthorn tea with oranges. It’s warm but not too sweet. Wanna try?”

The streets were slowly filling with people; a few had wandered in café for a quick drink to go and a warm up before moving on their way. At only six in the evening, several bustling young girls had already started changing the flowers on the café’s dining tables in preparation for another wave of guests.

A toasty and comforting scent of cinnamon and citrus had wafted through the air as a New Year song continued on playing quietly on an old gramophone. Its slightly scratchy noise added a certain charm to the café, making the whole place feel as if it was taken straight out of the movie.

“You got taller since we last met,” Phainon said suddenly after a lull in conversation. “Finally growing into your body?”

Mydei took a sip of his drink and felt its warmth spread to the tips of his fingers as it warmed him up from the within. He let out a contended sound. “We met 2 weeks ago. I hadn’t grown up much since then.”

Phainon swished his tea in his cup. He grinned at Mydei, “2 weeks is more than enough. Don’t worry, maybe one day you’ll catch up to me.” He let out a wheeze when Mydei elbowed him to the side and changed the topic. “How’s school been? Ready for your math exam?”

“As ready as I can be,” Mydei huffed. “Your notes help a lot.”

“My offer to tutor you is still on the table.”

“I know,” he nodded. “But I want to try it on my own.”

“If you’re sure,” Phainon replied. “Did you think what you’re gonna do after graduation? You only have 2 years left.”

Mydei added another spoonful of honey into his tea and licked the spoon clean as he contemplated his answer.

Phainon followed the action with his eyes.

“Not sure,” he replied after a minute of silence. Phainon blinked rapidly, pulled out of his thoughts. “I’m not the acting type so the Academy is out of the question for me but…” he paused for a moment, not finishing his sentence.

“But?” Phainon prodded. He took a sip of his tea, wetting his suddenly dry throat.

Mydei hesitated. He tugged on his braid, his strawberry blond locks shining in the warm light of the café, turning the red tips into a blazing inferno.

“I’ve been writing lately and…” he finally said. “I think I want to go with it.”

“Writing?” Phainon repeated, confused. “Like a novel?”

“No, like song writing. I want to try something with music.”

Phainon felt his brows rise to his hairline. “You can sing?”

In the whole year they’d been friends, that wasn’t something Mydei had ever mentioned to him. After that fateful audition last spring, it didn’t take long for Phainon to realize just who his new friend was and which family he hailed from. Upon finding out, Mydei’s reluctance in sharing his name suddenly made much more sense.

It wasn’t that Phainon expected Mydei to follow in his parents’ footsteps and become a world renown actor or a director but… Singing wasn’t something he associated with Mydei.

“He can,” Hephaestion interjected when he heard Phainon’s exclamation. “You never heard it?”

“No,” Phainon replied, suddenly feeling deeply offended. He felt Mydei go still at his side “I didn’t. You did?”

“Of course,” Hephaestion nodded. “Mydeimos loves singing in the shower. He has full on concerts in there –”

“Hephaestion!” with a hiss Mydei leaped from where he was comfortably sprawled all over Phainon. Mortified, he reached out over the table to shut his friend up. “Stop talking!”

“What are you embarrassed about?” Hephaestion evaded his hands, hiding behind curious Cipher. “It’s cute.” And then to Phainon, “he has a really nice voice.”

Phainon felt his face twitch. “Really,” he turned to Mydei that looked at him over his shoulder with wide eyes and pink cheeks. “And when do I get to hear that?”

“Hopefully never,” Mydei replied. After another unsuccessful attempt at shutting Hephaestion for good, he sat back with a huff and crossed his arms over his chest. He made a grimace at Hephaestion that just shrugged in response. Mydei rolled his eyes.

Phainon watched the whole exchange with a smile that kept twitching at the corners. He turned to Mydei and looked at him with raised brows.

They talked to each other every day so how and why did Phainon never know about this?...

Mydei sighed. With his cheeks aflame and eyes not looking anywhere close Phainon, he mumbled to the side. “I’ll send you some recordings later.”

Cipher looked at them curiously but didn’t say a word as she let Hephaestion drag her back into a conversation. Something about a running competition Leonnius was participating in next week? Phainon wasn’t sure.

“Why didn’t you –” he couldn’t help but start.

“Because I’m not sure if I want to continue. It’s just a hobby right now and,” Mydei paused. “I have yet to talk to my parents about it.”

Phainon frowned. “You think they will be against it?”

Mydei shook his head. “I doubt it but father always expected me to follow the family business and,” he shrugged, trying to seem unaffected. “My ancestor established The Acting Academy, our history there runs deep and even to this day my father is counted on the board of directors. I know mother wouldn’t mind the sudden career change but father… I’m not sure how he will react to this.”

“They love you,” Phainon tried to reassure him. He met Mydei’s parents only a few times this past year but their love for their one and only son was obvious to everyone who spent even a second in their presence. “They wouldn’t begrudge you something like this.”

“…I hope so,” Mydei let out an uncertain sound and changed the topic. “What about you? You mentioned yesterday an audition for a TV-show. How did that go?”

Phainon grimaced as he recalled the near disaster that audition had turned to. It started off great, with Phainon memorizing all lines and acting out his part perfectly. He was feeling confident about his chances. But just when he wanted to text Cipher and celebrate, it was announced that someone else had taken the role, someone that wasn’t even on any audition lists and simply got in through other means.

At this point Phainon was more than familiar what those ‘other means’ implied. Not having any connecting in an industry like that could very well be a death sentence for his career.

But Phainon still held a slight hope that perhaps his sheer stubbornness – or rather bullheadedness, as Cipher loved to say – would help him in this case.

He was yet to prove his theory right, though.

“Eh,” he replied to Mydei that was looking at him with a quiet attentiveness he was so known for. “Could have been gone better. They gave the job to someone on the inside.”

Mydei scrunched his nose. “They were that obvious about it?”

“Yep!” Phainon replied with a pop, no longer sad about the whole debacle. It was annoying, sure, but at this point, after so many auditions, he kind of got used to it. He had to if only to keep his sanity intact.

“You really need a good agent,” Mydei mumbled. He swirled his teacup between his palms. “If only so that you don’t have to go to all these auditions on your own and have someone experienced picking them for you.”

Phainon laughed awkwardly and rubbed the back of his neck. “I guess. But who’d want to work with me? I’m practically a nobody. I… don’t even know how to go about this whole thing.”

Mydei frowned at his tone. He glanced at Hephaestion and Cipher out of the corner of his eye, noticing that both were staring at some video on Cipher’s phone, fully engrossed in whatever had caught their eyes.

“Is something wrong?” he asked quietly once he was sure nobody was listening. “You told me before that you wanted to focus on your classes since it’s your last year in school. Where had that rush to get a job had come from?”

Phainon lowered his eyes and stared at the cracks in the wooden table. It looked old, with some dark leftover paint spots still hiding in the corners. He traced the marks with his eyes until the silence stretched enough to become uncomfortable.

Or as uncomfortable as silence could get with Mydei around.

“My mom…” he finally started with a slightly hoarse voice. “She’s been sick for a few weeks now. My dad is busy taking care of her and,” he shrugged helplessly and kept his eyes on the table, not seeing how Mydei’s face changed. “He can’t really work from home. He’s been discussing it with his boss but the progress is slow. Cipher is the only now working full time now.”

Mydei felt his stomach drop. He grabbed Phainon’s arm and felt how tense the older boy had become.

“Why didn’t you say anything?” he hissed. “How long has this been going on? You said she’s been sick for weeks?”

“…I didn’t want to worry you.”

“This is a bullshit excuse and you know it!” he exhaled roughly through his nose. “Do you know what she’s sick with? Can it be cured?”

“We are unsure of what it is,” he faltered before he continued, “My aunt recommended us a doctor, we have a visit scheduled next week. She’s just…” his voice faltered. “So weak. She’s been sleeping most of the time and I know we’re doing fine for now, that my parents saved up enough to last us a year or two, that I should focus on my school and get into a good university. Dad said I shouldn’t be worrying over anything but I just feel so helpless. Cipher is doing her best but she can’t keep us afloat on her own.” He lowered his voice, making sure Cipher and Hephaestion didn’t overhear him. “On top of her designer job Cipher has been taking odd commissions too. I saw her recently buy a big batch of art supplies that she usually doesn’t use in her work. She thinks me and dad don’t know but she’s been working nonstop; today was her only day off.”

He wrapped his hands around his lukewarm drink. “I got a part-time job in a bar next to our house and I try to help in my mom’s bakery as much as I can but,” he shrugged, not looking at Mydei. “It hasn’t been easy.”

Mydei’s chest tightened, his brow creasing in concern. His hand hovered over Phainon’s shoulder, uncertain for just a moment before he let it fall. He squeezed his shoulder in comfort and pursued his lips. “I,” he started, hoarsely. He cleared his throat and tried again. “I’ll talk to my parents. I know my mother knows some very good doctors, I’m sure they’ll be able to help your mom in some way,” he saw Phainon raise his eyes, surprised and conflicted in equal measures. Before he could open his mouth, Mydei resumed talking. “My family will take care of the cost –”

“You cannot do that –”

“Yes, I can,” Mydei said with a stubborn glint in his eyes. “My parents love you and would love to help your parents. Just take the help without complaint for once in your life, Phainon.”

Phainon clamped up, properly chastised. Still, he knew it wasn’t right. To... to use Mydei and his family like this, use their wealth for his own benefit, it made him sick to his stomach.

He clenched his jaw in frustration, battling between his conscience and his love and duty for his parents. He can’t have both, he knew it but… It simply wasn’t right.

He opened his mouth, refusal ready on his lips and his stomach twisting in knots but Mydei wasn’t done.

“And,” he continued, ignoring Phainon. “Now that we’re on this topic. I’ll talk to my parents about the agent. Even if my mother couldn’t find you one, she and father at least can advise you on what to do next. Do not,” he said sternly when he saw Phainon’s expression, “dare to refuse this. I thought if by the time you were done with school in a few months and still didn’t have an agent, I’d offer to help but circumstances changed. If needed I will go behind your back and involve your sister in this. Is this what you really want?”

“Mydei…” Phainon whispered. His voice wavered, cracking in the middle as he stared at his friend as if he was seeing him for the first time.

Mydei looked up and held his gaze. His gold eyes were burning with defiance. “She’s right here. I can –”

A sudden voice cut in. “Take it.”

Both boys froze. Slowly, they turned to the other side of the table.

“You two really don’t know how to be quiet, do you?” Cipher asked in a bored voice.

She popped her head on her hands and watched them with keen eyes. Despite her seemingly bored voice there was an unexpected sharpness to her face that made Mydei sit straighter in his chair.

“I’ll… go grab some pastries at the bar,” Hephaestion quickly excused himself and, with a scrapping sound of a chair being moved against the floor, he was gone, leaving only Khaslana siblings and Mydei at the table.

“How much did you hear?” Phainon asked after a moment of silence.

“Enough to know you’re being stupid right now,” came her immediate response.

Phainon bristled. “I don’t want to use –”

“How are you using him when his help is being freely offered?” she challenged. Phainon clenched his jaw. She then turned to Mydei. “You said you can help with the doctors. Is that true?”

Mydei nodded. He was starting to realize that he should have started this conversation with her in the first place. “Yes. I can ask my mother to contact them. They’ll visit your home at your earliest convenience.”

“And the cost?”

“My family will cover it.”

Cipher narrowed her eyes. “How sure are you of it? You’re a teenager. As far as I know, you’re not in charge of anything.”

“I’m not,” Mydei confirmed. “But I know they will,” and before she could question him again, he added, “And even if they don’t, I have enough allowances saved up over the years to cover it. It won’t be an issue, that I can promise you.”

Next to him Phainon let out a wounded noise. “Mydei…”

“Hush,” Cipher told her brother. “Adults are talking.”

“…He…He’s younger than me?!”

Cipher ignored him. “And the agent?”

“You know who my parents are,” Mydei replied. There was no reason to hide anything, not from these two. If he could use his parents’ wealth and fame to help his friends – why shouldn’t he? “I know they have some good agents that can help. And if on an off chance that they don’t, my father could always help Phainon in other ways.”

Cipher knew the value of having someone like Eurypon Kremnos on their side. Especially when it came to the world of acting Phainon was interested in where everything happened only through knowing the right people and being at the right place at the right time, which, with him being so busy with school and family problems, was unfortunately not something Phainon currently could boast to have. Maybe in a few years, he would be lucky to get noticed and cast in something. It could happen tomorrow, or in a week, or in a few months or years. There was always a chance but Cipher was not someone who’d leave something this important up to a fickle concept of fate.

What Mydei was offering right now… It was an offer that only a fool – or her stupid little brother – would refuse to accept.

And he probably knew it too.

For a minute Cipher stared at him, unblinking. Mydei held her gaze.

Phainon fidgeted on the chair next to Mydei. He swiveled his head from his friend to his older sister, worried, but not interrupting their stare down.

“Alright,” Cipher finally blinked, seemingly satisfied with his answers. Mydei felt tension bleed out of his shoulders. He swallowed and discreetly fixed the hem of his sweater with slightly cold fingers. “I’ll send Phainon’s resume and our mother’s current diagnosis to you later. If you actually pull through – I’ll owe you one, little lion.”

“’Little lion’?..” he quietly repeated to himself, confused. Then the rest of the sentence registered. He frowned. “I don’t want anything from you.”

“Oh?” Cipher leaned against her chair. She tilted her head curiously. “And why not?”

“No,” Mydei said. He threw a glance in Phainon’s direction that was staring at him in silence. Mydei stared at his glossy wide blue eyes for a moment too long before he turned away with a blink. He looked back at Cipher that was watching him as if he was a particularly interesting bird on her plate. “Phainon is… Phainon is a friend. I just want to help.”

For a moment they sat in silence. The voices of other patrons in the café barely registered in their corner, more of a buzz than anything of substance. The waitresses maneuvered through the tables with quick and light movements; the door chimed as new guests came in, cheeks rosy and snow quickly melting on their winter coats from the warmth of the café. The old Christmas song slowly came to end and that was when Cipher opened her mouth.

“Huh,” she said, staring at him in a way that made Mydei think of Phainon. It suddenly registered in his head that the two were actually related. “You really do want to help, do you.”

“Yes,” Mydei repeated, confused at her tone but firm in his decision. “I’ll talk to my parents once I come home and text you both immediately.”

Cipher let out a hum and sent her brother an indescribable look. She returned her curious gaze to Mydei and that was when Mydei finally noticed the hint of dark eyebags beneath her perfect makeup and radiant cyan eyes.  

“We’ll be waiting then,” she said. A blinding smile, not unlike Phainon’s, spread on her pink glossy lips. “We’re putting our trust in you, little lion.”

Mydei nodded, more serious than ever. “I won’t disappoint you.”

Cipher let out a soft, slightly relieved laugh. “For some reason I don’t doubt you.”

His father’s shout was the first thing Mydei heard when he opened the heavy doors to their house.

“They stalked him to the very threshold of that building!”

His hoarse voice, still sick from a cold, reverberated off the marble walls. It traveled across the stairs to the first floor and to the hall where Mydei stood, having just taken off his shoes. The boy turned his head to the noise and furrowed his brows.

“I know,” came Gorgo’s voice. It sounded slightly severe, harsh notes hiding in her tone as if she was on the verge of snapping. “I already talked to our lawyers, they will deal –”

“How can you be so calm?!”

“I’m not calm, you insufferable man!” a hard smack of palm on wooden desk echoed in the house. Mydei flinched slightly, cringing at the harsh sound. He carefully took of his jacket and hung it in the hall before moving closer to the stairs. “I’m just as furious as you are but we already did all we could! It’s all in the hands of our lawyers right now; doing anything more will only bring a scandal on our family!”

Mydei’s socked feet abruptly stopped at the landing leading to the second floor. A scandal?

Suddenly something warm rubbed against his shins. Mydei looked down – round orange eyes blinked at him. Their family cat, a fat orange maine coon half the size of Mydei’s body, pawed at his leg and let out a soft meow.

“Nika,” he bent down, taking the old cat into his arms. Her thick fur immediately tickled his nose. “What are you doing here?”

Nikador purred, rubbing affectionally against Mydei’s cheek. The boy dropped a light kiss on her head, absentmindedly adjusting the cat’s weight in his arms. She was a big girl, spoiled rotten by Eurypon despite his severe cat allergy that made it impossible for him to spend more than 2 minutes with his beloved cat before he started itching all over.

Not that it ever stopped him. There was a reason their house was always stocked full of allergy medicine, after all.

“…And you’re still sick on top of it!” came his mother’s voice as she continued to rant. Mydei raised his head at the same time as Nika, both looking at the closed door hiding the arguing Kremnos couple with identical expressions. “So Titans help me, Eurypon, if you don’t go to bed right this instance – forget about stepping foot into our bedroom!”

Eurypon choked on air. “Darling, that’s too much –”

“Bed, Eurypon. Now. You still have a fever, for titan’s sake!”

“The lawyers –”

“Will be here tomorrow. Don’t make me repeat myself; you’re a grown man, Eurypon!”

By the sounds of it, his mother was reaching the end of her rope. Mydei looked at Nika. The cat slowly blinked at him and let out a gentle mrow.

As if understood what the cat said, Mydei nodded. He quickly ascended the rest of the stairs, his hand hovering over the door.

“Fine, fine! I’m going,” there was a shuffling noise. Then, Mydei heard his father’s voice right in front of him, with only a single door separating them. “…Will you –”

“Yes,” his mother, voice tired but indulgent as always, replied. “Go. I’ll join you soon.”

Mydei let out a breath. His hand fell to his side, shoulders easing. He took a small step back when he saw the door opening slowly – his father still stood at the threshold, looking at Gorgo with red-rimmed, puffy eyes. His mother nodded, ushering him out with a worried expression.

Eurypon nodded in reply, something unspoken passing between them and turned around. Then his eyes widened when he saw Mydei standing right outside of the door. 

“Mydeimos,” he said, surprised. He was still wearing his pajamas, the one Mydei got him on New Years as a gift a few years ago; an old ratty blanket covered his shoulders. He shuffled his feet, making Mydei’s eyes drop. His brows rose when he saw the bright mismatched socks. He raised his eyes, a look of judgement clear on his face.

Eurypon puffed up. He sniffled and raised his red noise high, “They’re comfortable. Stop judging your old and sick father,” Mydei opened his mouth, reply ready on his lips. Eurypon bulldozed over everything. “How long have you stayed here?”

Mydei blinked. He looked at Nika that was purring in his arms, lulled halfway to sleep, and shrugged. “I came home a few minutes ago. I heard you arguing; is everything alright?”

“Of course,” Gorgo replied as she came close to them. She wrapped the blanket tighter around Eurypon’s shoulders and dropped a kiss to his temple. “You know how your father is when he’s sick. Nothing serious.”

Eurypon wrinkled his nose but didn’t interject.

The weight from Mydei’s chest lifted when he saw his parents lean into each other’s embrace. Still, he couldn’t help but ask, “I heard you talk about a scandal…”

“Oh,” Gorgo’s golden eyes lit up. “Don’t worry about it. It is simply something we’ve been meaning to take care of for a few years.”

She turned to Eurypon and with another kiss, she pushed him out of the room. The man rolled his eyes but obediently shuffled back to their bedroom, leaving only Gorgo and Mydei in the study.

And Nika, of course.

“Is there something you wanted to tell to me?” Gorgo asked once she was sure Eurypon wouldn’t be running back.

Mydei sat down on the chair opposite side of his mother. Nika draped all over his knees; she stretched for one long second before settling down and falling asleep once more.

He buried his fingers in her fur, scratching her as he collected his thoughts. Gorgo waited patiently on the other side of the table.

“You know my friend Phainon…” he started.

As he retold his mother what happened today his hesitant voice gradually strengthened. His back straightened up and lips pursed on certain moments, worry clouding his expression like a shadow blocking out the sun. He talked and talked, words spilling out of his mouth with a speed that made his mother frown in concern.

“…I told them that I would help,” he finished finally, his throat dry. He didn’t know if it was from how long he was talking or due to nervousness coursing through his body.

The old clock in the study continued ticking forward as Gorgo slowly digested everything her son just said. She drummed her fingers on the table, her expression thoughtful.

“Don’t worry about the doctors, we will take care of everything,” she finally said. She sounded sure as if anything else was out of the question. Mydei let out a relieved breath but before he could cheer up, his mother continued. “But the matter of the agent is much trickier…”

Mydei stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“It’ll all depend on your boy,” Gorgo shrugged. Something in Mydei’s chest squeezed at her words; heat colored his cheeks. He shook his head lightly, forcing himself to focus on her words. “You said you have his resume? Let me see. I’ll reach out to some of my friends but it’ll all depend on what he has to offer.”

Mydei slid the file with a disk attached to it across the table. “Is there really no guarantee?...”

He knew what the world of showbusiness was like; had to with his parents being who they were. Connections made the world go round – for an industry that was reliant on talent, it surprisingly often had little weight in the grand scheme of things.

Connections were everything.

Mydei knew that better than most people and so did his mother.

“There could be,” Gorgo grabbed the resume and skimmed a few pages. She raised her eyes, looking meaningfully at her son. “But I doubt your boy will be satisfied with it now, would he?”