Lucius Cassius Longinus

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1. 

   Finding a Use

   July 19

   Longinus offered a good natured grin and a shrug. "I have a fairly informal house." That was one word for it; eccentric was another. If he thought hard about it he would have considered that the fact he often bantered with his slaves made it more difficult for them. In a house where there was only very strict roles and responsibilities, a slave could adapt to it. Yet in Longinus' house there were moments of levity but also lines that couldn't be crossed - not even with a dominus as relaxed as Longinus. Attis knew that all to well given his several month long exile to Titus' house for the bird flipping incident. 
   And then Amatus made a joke and Longinus blinked, momentarily surprised. Before he grinned from ear to ear and let out a garrulous laugh, slapping his newest acquisition on the shoulder and jabbing a finger in Attis' general direction. "I like him already. And if he puts you in your place, all the better." Still grinning, he waved a hand, "Attis will show you around - I have work to do before my secretary murders me. Find him a bedroll, and introduce him to Metella, won't you?" He asked his body slave.
   TAG: @Sharpie @Mobius
    
   
2. 

   Finding a Use

   July 2

   Longinus smirked as Attis backed away and smoothed out his own tunica as if nothing at all had happened. That smirk turned into a laugh at his exclamation and he held up his hands defensively; "I'd rather she knew how to throw off a man than not." He shrugged. He knew what Roman men were like, after all. Status and class had little to do with his peers ability to keep their tackle in their subligaculum. 
   He glanced over his shoulder at Amatus at the man's sigh and shook his head. "I'm joking, I'm not expecting you to teach her to fight." Obviously, "Just as a companion." He glanced across to Attis with a narrowed gaze, "And yes, yes I'll find a girl to do the things that Metella needs to do with her. Womanly duties and all that." He chuckled and then smirked at his bodyslave. "What do you reckon she'll make of him?" He jerked his thumb to the man behind him.
    
   TAG: @Sharpie @Mobius
   
3. 

   Finding a Use

   June 15

   "Gallia Belgica." Longinus repeated with a nod. He knew where it was, "I passed through on the way to Britannia. I think," He frowned, trying to dredge up memories which seemed so far away, just out of reach, "We got the boat from there. Gesoriacum, I think - it was a town on the coast." Most of the rest of the land had been nondescript countryside to him, nothing special. 
   "Your Latin's good." He commented as he steered them out of the triclinium through into the corridor that housed his room, and that of his daughter and mother. He had an entire second floor for his home but  there was little point opening it up given that the place only housed himself, his daughter and his mother. One day, long ago, he had anticipated it would house a whole brood of children - enough that he could form some sort of sport team out of them all...but the fates had decided differently for him. Or Longinus' own inability to stay in one place and father children had, at the very least.
   Rounding a corner back towards the tablinum he very nearly ran straight into Attis and had to pull himself up short, blinking. At least the dog was nowhere to be found. "Ah! Forever underfoot. Attis, meet Amatus, Amatus this is my bodyslave. We're in the middle of a tour." He gave Attis a smirk. "Anything you think I should show our latest addition? He'll be helping out Metella with Cassia." 
    
   TAG: @Sharpie @Mobius
   
4. 

   Finding a Use

   June 6

   Longinus smiled. "Excellent." He clapped the man on the back and looked again out at the game. "She's out at the moment, visiting some friend or another." he wrinkled his nose trying to remember the girls name but it had escaped him, as with most things with his daughter, "But I'll get Metella to introduce you later." He watched the game with itching fingers, wanting to join back in. The life of a man who had forged his reputation and career in the military and was now stuck in Rome meant he often had a yearning for practical fun. Anything to keep the paperwork off his desk and political schmoozing out of his domus. 
   But he'd agreed to give the man a tour and instead jerked his head for him to follow him; gesturing to rooms as they passed them; "The triclinium, where we eat. I eat." He corrected himself. Obviously it wasn't for slaves unless it was for Saturnalia. The thought occurred to him though and he frowned, pausing in the room. "I don't actually remember where you're from." He had a host of gladiators that he sponsored - some he'd picked up personally like Annis, others he bought out of boredom or to impress his late wife or colleagues. They hailed from all over the Empire and a few came from beyond its reach entirely. "Remind me?" 
    
   TAG: @Mobius
   
5. 

   Finding a Use

   June 6

   "Cassia's a good girl." He mused aloud with more fondness than one might expect. "Very similar to her late mother, in most respects." Which was to be expected as Longinus himself had been absent for most of her childhood and Antonia had had a...forceful personality to say the least. His daughter was, at least, warmed up to him now and spent more time being the hellion he was at her age than moping in her room or glaring daggers at him as he passed. Things had settled into a state of normalcy which was a welcome reprieve from the turbulence of previous years. 
   "And it's domine, when you speak to me." He added with a glance to the man next to him. Very rarely did Longinus assert his authority so visibly but he was the master of the house and better that his newest addition understood the rules. Otherwise he might end up in an Attis-swearing-at-him situation and he had infinitely more patience for his trusted bodyslave than a new ex-Gladiator.
   "I'm not expecting you to dress her or go shopping." He chuckled as his eyes followed the ball being tossed amongst his staff, "But her companion, with Metella. She needs somebody to keep an eye on her and as Metella's pregnancy progresses I doubt she'll be able to be there all the time." he shrugged, "And when you're not with her, I expect you to pick up household duties. Cleaning, tidying, organising, helping out." He glanced across at Amatus, "This is an opportunity. Don't waste it." 
    
   TAG: @Mobius
   
6. 

   Finding a Use

   June 6

   If Longinus had used past  tense, he didn't notice it. Did you have kids, not do you. Because slaves, plucked from their homes, no longer had ownership over their kin and any child born into slavery whilst Amatus was a gladiator hadn't come with him - ergo, he couldn't have kids at present. It turned out he didn't have them in the past either. He wrinkled his nose, his plan falling apart. 
   He watched the game with mild interest. As predicted, despite his earlier grumbling, Vitus was as competitive as anybody and fully invested now in lobbing the balls at such an angle that Celsus and Chione had no hope of catching them. The small smirk on his face didn't go unnoticed either. Longinus gestured at the three; "Vitus is my secretary, Celsus is..." He narrowed his eyes, "My sparring partner, and Chione works in the kitchens." He didn't have as many slaves as most of his class but he had enough that they always seemed to be underfoot. "I don't know where Attis is, you'll meet him - he's my bodyslave. He's got...something going on with my daughters nurse Metella." He explained, that was probably where Attis was - no doubt giving his partner as much of a headache as he himself got from the man. "Metella's with child, and my daughter, Cassia, is eleven now. Full of energy." he chuckled, "Do you have any interest in working with children?" Obviously not as a bodyslave or guard, but as an amusement for Cassia. She had taken a keen interest in the games. He wasn't asking as if Amatus had a choice in the matter, but he'd rather not shove a man who was useless with children with his daughter.
    
   TAG: @Mobius
   
7. 

   Finding a Use

   June 5

   Longinus' brows rose in surprise and he glanced back over his shoulder at the man. Few freepeople could read let alone slaves, but that was useful and valuable. He nodded, eyes narrowed, running through the mental list of things he could get Amatus to do. The writing comment prompted a small smile of sympathy of Longinus and a shrug. "You never know. Saw a man with his right arm cleaved straight off by a British axe, was writing on a tablet with his left the next month." He grinned. 
   But that did beg the question of what he'd use Amatus for. No need to have him as a guard or a sparring partner like Celsus, he had Attis as his bodyslave and Vitus as his secretary, even pregnant Metella was already engaged with his daughter...he blinked, a thought occurring to him. But...before he had a chance to pose it he ducked his head through a curtain and gestured for Amatus to follow him. "Slaves dormitories." He gestured to the two rooms leading off from the kitchens. They were comfortable, with individual cots but were clearly segregated by sex judging by the curious, frowning slaves peering at the two men who had entered their sanctuary. 
   "Did you have kids?" He asked, returning to his idea as he shuffled out of the slave room and into the gardens where the game was still going on.
    
   TAG: @Mobius
   
8. 

   Finding a Use

   June 5

   Longinus merely nodded with a slight smile at the thanks, and shrugged. He shouldn't be so soft, he was sure of that his friends would lament yet another stray that he adopted, but beneath the gruffness and irreverence...and cold brutality he exerted in times of war, Longinus had a relatively soft heart. And a keen eye for strategy, and having a man like Amatus under his wing would pay off in the end he was sure.
   Grinning, he shook his head, "No, I 'spose not and I have no need for a guard." He shook his head and then bounded up to his feet. He could handle himself more  than admirably and even if his station caused issues that a pleb took offence to, his big hulking Dacian Celsus was often in tow. Instead, he jerked his head so that Amatus should follow him. "I'll give you a tour," Really his slaves should have done it but they were mostly otherwise occupied and he had nothing better to do. "We were just in my office, I don't think there's any work for you to do in there unless..." He glanced over his shoulder, "Can you read? Write?" 
    
   TAG: @Mobius
   
9. 

   Finding a Use

   June 4

   Longinus snorted in amusement and nodded at the statement. "He is. Can't say I've had the pleasure of meeting him but I thought you were a goner." He admitted candidly with a little shrug. "I've seen men take far worse injuries and been left a mangled mess. The Gods were smiling on you." He said, as if he genuinely believed it. They were fickle beings his Gods, and whether Amatus' were Roman or he'd retained his own, he imagined it was the same no matter what. 
   "You were an excellent investment, and I thought..." He said with a sigh, "You deserved better than your fates had I left you there so...welcome to your new life." He'd always had a soft spot for the runts; little Metella found on a hillside, scarred Attis, even big hulking Celsus with his gentle giant persona. Amatus was another, newer addition to his collection. "I run my household fairly, work hard and you'll be treated with respect. If you're not, talk to me." But very few of his slaves came to him with squabbles. "What did you do? Before your days in the arena?" He asked, curious. He really should have thought what to do with the man before he bought him. 
    
   TAG: @Mobius
   
10. 

    Finding a Use

    June 2

    April, 77AD
    Longinus grumbled and rolled his eyes as his big, hulking Dacian went to fetch the ball and toss it back to his dominus. "You've just got to get used to catching with your left, it takes practice." He grinned before one of his female house slaves, Chione (so named because all she talked about was the snow in Gaul), joined in; "You should put as much effort into Trigon as you do your preening, then maybe you'd be good at it." Granted, standing in the gardens of a grand domus in Rome and learning a Greek game was probably an odd turn of events for the once-Dacian warrior but he was taking his frequent losses with vaguely good humour. 
    When he'd collected the stray ball, Longinus, Chione and he began again - tossing two balls in quick succession amongst them. Yet again it ended with Celsus getting one to the chest and one to the thigh. Longinus snorted in amusement, even as the big man stomped over the flowers to retrieve one of the strays. His gardener would have his ear for that but the paterfamilias didn't care, since a boy he'd long thought that flowers were there to get ruined whether by the seasons or some misadventures. It was usually the latter in his case.
    Gearing up to start again, just as Longinus deftly caught one ball with one hand, his long-suffering secretary Vitus appeared with an irritated expression, stopping the game in its tracks and resulting in Longinus getting thumped in the chest. Much to Celsus' satisfaction. "Domine, I really wished you had told me that we had a new arrival today..." Longinus grinned and abandoning all pre-text of the game, threw the hard ball back at Celsus who dodged it with a surprisingly nimble dart. "We all wish for a lot of things. He's here?" Vitus nodded with an exasperated sigh. "In your tablinum, domine." Nodding, he chucked the ball in Vitus' direction with a self-satisfied grin. "You can swap in for me." And choosing to ignore the moans of protest, strode into the tablinum to see a tall figure waiting for him. 
    He couldn't quite recall how long he'd owned the man - that was the way with his flock of gladiators that he sponsored, but he'd always enjoyed his fights and he'd been a good purchase. Right up until that fight. Never one to be squeamish (how could he be after three tours in Britannia?) Longinus nonetheless winced at the memory of what the man's body had endured. How he was still alive was beyond him. "Amatus." He grinned and clapped the man on the back as he walked round the desk to take his seat. He paused with a frown. "How's the leg?" Tact was never his strong suit.
     
    TAG: @Mobius
     
    

Topics I Participated In

1. 

   Finding a Use

   Started by Lucius Cassius Longinus · June 2

   April, 77AD
   Longinus grumbled and rolled his eyes as his big, hulking Dacian went to fetch the ball and toss it back to his dominus. "You've just got to get used to catching with your left, it takes practice." He grinned before one of his female house slaves, Chione (so named because all she talked about was the snow in Gaul), joined in; "You should put as much effort into Trigon as you do your preening, then maybe you'd be good at it." Granted, standing in the gardens of a grand domus in Rome and learning a Greek game was probably an odd turn of events for the once-Dacian warrior but he was taking his frequent losses with vaguely good humour. 
   When he'd collected the stray ball, Longinus, Chione and he began again - tossing two balls in quick succession amongst them. Yet again it ended with Celsus getting one to the chest and one to the thigh. Longinus snorted in amusement, even as the big man stomped over the flowers to retrieve one of the strays. His gardener would have his ear for that but the paterfamilias didn't care, since a boy he'd long thought that flowers were there to get ruined whether by the seasons or some misadventures. It was usually the latter in his case.
   Gearing up to start again, just as Longinus deftly caught one ball with one hand, his long-suffering secretary Vitus appeared with an irritated expression, stopping the game in its tracks and resulting in Longinus getting thumped in the chest. Much to Celsus' satisfaction. "Domine, I really wished you had told me that we had a new arrival today..." Longinus grinned and abandoning all pre-text of the game, threw the hard ball back at Celsus who dodged it with a surprisingly nimble dart. "We all wish for a lot of things. He's here?" Vitus nodded with an exasperated sigh. "In your tablinum, domine." Nodding, he chucked the ball in Vitus' direction with a self-satisfied grin. "You can swap in for me." And choosing to ignore the moans of protest, strode into the tablinum to see a tall figure waiting for him. 
   He couldn't quite recall how long he'd owned the man - that was the way with his flock of gladiators that he sponsored, but he'd always enjoyed his fights and he'd been a good purchase. Right up until that fight. Never one to be squeamish (how could he be after three tours in Britannia?) Longinus nonetheless winced at the memory of what the man's body had endured. How he was still alive was beyond him. "Amatus." He grinned and clapped the man on the back as he walked round the desk to take his seat. He paused with a frown. "How's the leg?" Tact was never his strong suit.
    
   TAG: @Mobius
    
   
2. 

   Sweet like chocolate

   Started by Attis · April 21

   May 77AD
    
   Attis had felt somewhat peckish and tried to resist giving in to the urge to find something to eat. He'd even managed to resist... for all of maybe half an hour, before giving up and going in search of sustenance.
   He'd come away with three honey cakes, one of which he'd deposited in Metella's hands (along with a kiss on her cheek) before wandering along to Longinus' tablinum.
   The relationship between the two was mostly repaired since the trip to Greece - repaired enough for Attis to slide back into old habits, though not quite so much that he'd walk straight in and deposit one of his acquisitions under his master's nose.
   "Domine? Are you busy?" His tone implied that he rather hoped Longinus wasn't - or that, if he was, he wouldn't mind being interrupted.
    
   @Sara
   
3. 

   The law of surprise

   Started by Metella · January 6

   End of the year, 76AD
   Metella was feeling miserable. Saturnalia came and went, with feasts and merrymaking all around the house, everyone had slept off their hangovers and were back to their everyday work... except for her. Because she still felt sick. She would have blamed it on Longinus' cooking, but she knew better. She had not eaten any of that this year. And yet, here she was. Was she getting ill? It would be just her luck.
   Leaving her room, Metella made a decent effort to start the day. She made it all the way to the atrium before she faltered, her stomach turning, and her face turning even paler than usual. Her breakfast was not sitting well at all. She wavered, catching herself against one of the columns of the atrium.
   "Oh, sh..."
   @Sharpie
   
4. 

   Finally Alone

   Started by Lucius Cassius Longinus · December 4, 2021

   November, 76AD
   Longinus strained against the lead looped around Ragum's neck. The dog was only eight months old and already up to his thigh, he had no idea how big it was supposed to be but as he loitered at the Portico, he regretted bringing his birthday gift. Titus had really outdone himself with this one, and despite the fact that Celsus had said women liked pets, he wasn't convinced Sergia would like this one. He glanced over his shoulder to the brawny Dacian and gave him a look. He should have brought Attis, he would have talked him out of this. 
   Negotiations had been going on for months now but he hadn't had a chance to see the lady alone. She'd attended the dinner with her Uncles but he couldn't quite get the measure of the young woman and if he was going to press ahead with a marriage, he needed to know it would work and wouldn't end in disaster as it had done with Antonia, and with Sestia. The thought of both women made a lump form in his throat which he swallowed down. 
   He shook off the thought as Celsus cleared his throat, gesturing with a jerked head to a woman and small entourage approaching from the left - naturally, for her honours sake, she couldn't come completely alone. Ragum let out a bark of glee and Longinus was glad he prioritised his fitness and health so he could actually manage to pull the dog back. He grinned at Sergia and inclined his head. "Salve Sergia Auletia," Ragum barked again and Longinus chuckled, "Ragum also says hello." 
    
   TAG: @locutus-sum
   
5. 

   Second opinion on a third option

   Started by Gaius Vipsanius Roscius · November 27, 2021

   Two days after his brother had burst into his tablinum with news that he had made a decision and wanted to pursue a career in the vigiles, with the aim of attaining the rank of prefect, Gaius had almost reconciled himself to what needed to happen. Almos, but not quite, which was why he was in the Piscina Publica, his faithful Cassander in tow, going to call on his own former legate. He needed an older man's opinion on this (even that of the irreverent Longinus would be more helpful than continually going over the same line of thought in his own head - maybe Longinus could see something he hadn't seen?)
   Anyway, it had been long enough since he'd seen his former commander. This was more of an excuse than anything - and he had sent his brother round to have a talk with him, Longinus might well want to know what, if anything, had come of that talk.
   He let Cassander knock on the door and go through the formalities - "My master has come to call on your master, if he is in?" - and then they were admitted to the house. The decoration in the atrium was as eclectic as he had remembered Longinus' house to be, and there was a dog barking somewhere in the back quarters. It sounded like quite a large dog.
    
   @Sara
   
6. 

   A Noble Escape

   Started by Decimus Rutilius Atellus · July 25, 2021

   76 CE 
   Late July
    
   In the seemingly endless din of parties and street traffic that ruled the eternal city it appeared as though Fortuna would grant one night in the dog days of the year that one could manage to hear their own thoughts. There didn't seem to be any apparent reason for this sudden cease in the overall commotion; perhaps everyone had just grown tired of the whole thing. It wasn't as if it would last, of course, but as the lone guardsman loosened up with a mug of mead he couldn't help but wonder about the nature of the nobleman's note. Longinus had asked him to meet at this tavern through a slave, but it hardly seemed to Decimus that there were any reason for him to want to hang out in a tavern laden with Rome's lower orders. Even though they were old friends he couldn't help but wonder what would make spending a night with him seem more appealing than hearing about the latest gossip that was passed around the dinner tables of Rome's wealthiest circles. 
   The light outside of the tavern had grown scarcer and scarcer in the hour since he'd arrived, and with the darkness came the warmth of the newly lit candles that would help carry on the regular patron's habits till they'd had their fill. Decimus was no great thinker, and he'd never claim to be, but in the back of his mind he'd always wondered how fulfilling a life of luxury could be. He wouldn't say that money was useless, and he certainly hoped to end his life with more of it than he'd started with, but the thought of enduring conversations about fashion, laws, and land-use seemed mind-bogglingly dull to him. Maybe it was something one only truly came to enjoy when they had wealth. Either way, he was sure that he would hear Longinus's views on the subject tonight. It was either that or they'd talk about Britannia. He certainly couldn't blame the man for talking about it either. Britannia was probably the most excitement that either of them would see in their lives, save for if the drums of war truly started beating again.
   Becoming Praetorian had left little room for the thought of ever visiting the front in any long term capacity. The new Augustus didn't seem all that interested in beginning a new campaign, but that observation only came from the limited time he'd spent in the man's presence. Perhaps Longinus would know something that he did not. Either way, he was perfectly content to wait for the man at the small booth he'd snagged for the night. 
    
   @Sara
   
7. 

   Word to the Wise

   Started by Lucius Cassius Longinus · July 5, 2021

   June, 76AD
   Longinus hurried back - ducking and weaving through the crowds as he made his way back to the domus. The afternoon was hot - too hot - and he couldn't wait to decant the toga that he had haphazardly thrown over his shoulder. He hated senate meetings, for the most part, and today's had only intensified that. Why his colleagues needed to drone on for literally hours about grain allotments was absolutely beyond him, but he made a mental note to develop a fever before the next one, if the same Senators intended to orate. 
   He'd been surprised that Gaius had sent word that he wanted him to talk some sense into his brother. He was quite sure that if you asked any of his closest friends, they absolutely would not use the word 'sensible' to describe peace-time Longinus. Military Longinus - who had his men's lives in his hands - maybe, but not Longinus in Rome. Still - at the very least, after this afternoon Gaius owed him, and favours from friends was always a benefit. Besides, maybe this fellow Lucius was good company? He liked the man's brother, and had his own wayward streak after all, so maybe they'd get on? Then again, maybe that was a naive hope. 
   What was also probably not going to help matters was that he was late. Never one to keep to time, he'd dawdled after the meeting, catching up with friends and such before he'd made his way into the sunshine of the bright June day to to find his secretary, Vitus, glowering. Even now as they hurried home, Vitus bore a look of thunder; "I'm not that late, stop it." Vitus merely shrugged and muttered; "It's still impolite." loud enough for Longinus to hear. As they drew to his domus, finally, he hurried through into the atrium and didn't even pause to think about it - unwilling the folds of his striped toga with a haste as he queried; "Is he here yet? Or late too?"
    
   TAG: @Chevi
    
   
8. 

   I Shall Be Your Aphrodite, and You My Ares!

   Started by Mania Victoria · June 28, 2021

   July 76 CE, at a dinner party
   It was a warm night in July and Mania was once again enjoying herself at a dinner party. Excruciatingly boring affairs most of the time, she thought. Rarely ever did anything exciting happen, rarely ever was there something worth gossipping about the next day. Tonight, however, the monotony would finally be broken, as a Senator was present, and a single Senator and decorated military man to boot! If Mania were to pass up the opportunity to get to know him, she would declare herself as weak-minded and naíve as her younger brother.
   Finding one man amidst dozens is, however, no easy task, and one requires hydration to keep going. And hydrate she did; wine, calda, mulsum... The warm temperatures didn't exactly contribute to Mania's resistance to the effects of wine, either. By the time she had finally found out just where in the host's domus Lucius Cassius Longinus was hiding, her body had become as light as a cloud, her movements as fluid as water. As she reeled down the hallways of the residence her jewellery jangled loudly, and to anyone who had ever had the displeasure of running into Mania Victoria in a semi-private setting such as this, said jangling jewellery would certainly sound like an alarm bell and the smartest course of action would be to clear the premises. However poor Lucius Cassius must have had no idea of just who was looking for him, and, more importantly, of the state she was in. Fortuna wasn't holding him in her favour tonight.
   As she walked into the room, she did her best to not attract attention to herself, of course hoping for the opposite effect. She paid him no mind, however still glanced towards him, completely by chance. The fact he hailed from gens Cassius must not have been a coincidence, for he was a good-looking man and certainly had every reason to be vain. Thankfully, she had chosen to wear silphium perfume tonight, just in case an eligible bachelor were to be present, and a virile warrior such as himself would certainly notice. She made sure to pass him several times, so that the aphrodisiac's scent would find its way to him. The elaborate updo her blond hair had been fashioned into would certainly catch his attention, too.
   @Sara
   
9. 

   It's All Fun and Games

   Started by Lucius Antonius Alexius · June 18, 2021

   June 30th, 76 AD
   Alexius life had not been going according to the plan lately. Not that he ever really had a plan, but lately, things had just taken a wrong turn. Not that it was all entirely bad, not that he was bored or didn’t have any lovers or anything like that, but he’d been feeling strange. He couldn't really explain it. All he could hope was that tonight might help. It was now about half a year ago, that he went to talk to Thessala, or rather, let it all out in a good spar with her, that he found out about the event. Thessala had heard rumors that the gang who ran the Domus Venus were considering to put up a day and night of entertainment. A private night, an exclusive night and it wouldn’t just be the kind of entertainment that the Venus was famous for. No, it would be all sorts of things. Including gladiatorial games. It was going to be a big event! 
    That was the first time he heard about it, back when Thessala told him what she'd heard. Then a month or so, he was invited to talk to them. It came out of the blue and he didn’t know what they wanted, it wasn’t like he wanted to be a bouncer at the Venus! Brothels were not really his thing, not at all, in fact. He always felt so bad for the women and men and boys and girls working there, forced to sleep with anyone instead of being able to choose, like he did. But the Venus didn’t want him to become a bouncer or a guard, no… they wanted to see him fight in an arena. And wondered if he’d fight a woman. Because they had managed to get a deal with a ludus about one of their most fierce and famous gladiatrices. With that, they gained his interest and then they also offered plenty of coin for his efforts. 
   Alexius always felt like he was in need of coin. Good wine wasn’t entirely cheap, after all. And to always have food and wine in the home to offer guests, well, that was not cheap either. So he agreed to the deal. He’d fight as a gladiator again. Purely for entertainment, there would be no Caesar there to say one should live and one should die. They could draw blood, of course, and one would win and another would lose, but killing was not on the menu for the evening. You couldn't continue entertaining people if you were dead, after all... 
    It was now a year since the most recent earthquake and apparently that was the perfect occasion to celebrate. He hadn’t really fought in an arena since he was freed, but everyone knew he’d never forgotten about it and he had even at times considered returning, for real, and not just for one night only. That’s what this was though. Now, he could barely wait. He'd worked hard and exercised to return to his former strength - and here he was. Dressed and armored as he’d been in the past, as a Murmillo… walking through the tunnel underneath the seats, the tunnel that led to the private arena. The tunnel that led to the roar of the crowd and a proper fight against a proper opponent. He couldn't help but smile.
   @Chevi @Sara @Sharpie @Liv
   
10. 

    Here Goes Nothing

    Started by Lucius Cassius Longinus · June 13, 2021

    June, 76AD
    Longinus wasn't, by his nature, a nervous man but by the Gods he was skittish now. The meeting with Seconds and Tertius had been odd and disconcerting to say the least, but he'd persevered - sending his compliments to Secundus for a lovely afternoon and pressing his desire to meet the man's niece. He didn't know what to make of Sergia - he'd glanced her once  or twice throughout the years at various functions but couldn't recall much beyond dark hair, blue eyes and a pretty face. If he'd spoken to her, he couldn't recall it and he hoped to the Gods he hadn't because the Longinus trying to court a young woman was likely to be different to the Longinus enjoying himself at a party. There was a significant chance he'd acted like an oaf back then, and winced as he paced the atrium. 
    The house was deserted - his mother and daughter at the villa in Formiae for the next few weeks, which suited him fine. No need to frighten the poor young woman off with his overzealous mother and miserable child. That did, unfortunately, leave Sergia in the company of only men so he'd extended the invitation to Secundus' wife Livia. But tales were told and deciding he'd rather not have to face the couple who spent most of the year oddly isolated in Tibur, he'd also invited Tertius. He liked the latter, more than he liked Secundus at any rate and was hoping the Praetor would be able to temper the moods of his guests. 
    Dinner was being prepared and the slaves hurried around the place, straightening a few of his odd collectibles here, and a vase of fresh flowers there. He fidgeted as he drew to a stop, tugging at the folds of his pallium and wishing he'd had a good long drink before this. How was it that facing down the Brigantes in Britannia hadn't made him sweat but the prospect of arranging a marriage did? He swallowed and waved a hand at a slave; "Wine." His throat felt as parched as a desert and he gulped it down as it was handed to him. He didn't have long to wait and stew further in his misery though, a slave entered the atrium with a guest trailing behind him. 
     
    TAG: @Járnviðr @Liv @Atrice (and @Sharpie and @Chevi if you want Attis or Mets to make an appearance at any point!)
    Also figured we could jointly NPC Sergia? And come up with an excuse as to why her mother isn't at the dinner... 
    

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