Teuta Varinia

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August 23
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Sarah

About Teuta Varinia

Freedwoman

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Annabel Scholey
Location
Rome
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Fast

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Topics I Participated In

Cerealia: Insula Party!

Started by Teuta Varinia · June 25

Mid April 77AD
It was Cerealia. The year had turned, the days had warmed, the grain fields were sprouting and Ceres had found her daughter Prosperpine and was enjoying having her at home again. Varinia could understand how she felt, now that she'd been enjoying sharing her son's home for the last few months, after years of separation. And enjoying her freedom, of course. She had grown more accustomed to it over those months, and was really starting to enjoy being able to do even just simple things when she wanted, as she wanted.
Like making little flatcakes. Flour and water and eggs, honey and dried fruit soaked in wine, all mixed together and fried on a griddle to make little warm, puffy rounds of deliciousness. She'd packed them into a basket lined and covered with cloth to keep them warm, and carried them down to the insula's inner courtyard. The building was home to a range of people, from those who lived in multi-roomed insulae like themselves, to those who lived behind their shop fronts on the ground floor, to those who rented single rooms on the top floor. Every one of her neighbours whom she'd met had been lovely so far, and she was looking forward to meeting more as they celebrated the turning of the year.
On top of the basket she carried a spray of wildflowers that she'd collected early that morning from down by the river and these she strewed over one of the tables that had been set in the courtyard, before placing her basket on top of it. She was pretty certain that Alexius would appear once he smelled food, and of course there was her own household. Who else might appear, with a plate or basket if they could afford to share food, or just themselves if they could not? All were welcome in her eyes. This would be fun.
Like mother, like son

Started by Teutus Quinctilius Varus · May 14

Two days after Saturnalia, 76AD
Winter was quiet, as far as business went. It was dangerous to sail from about November through to some time in February - it didn't mean that ships didn't sail in those months, just that those months were more prone to storms at sea and so the most prudent sailors preferred to winter in some port or other. Which was just fine by Teutus, who was well enough aware that he had built flexibility into his business plans. Winter was a time to ensure the warehouse was clean and tidy, ready for new stock to come in.
And right after Saturnalia was a very quiet time indeed, with no need for Teutus to leave the house for business purposes. Which meant that he was at home today, watching as his mother set up her new loom.
"I don't think I mentioned it earlier, Mama," he said quietly. "Charis came by over Saturnalia... I invited her to dinner in a week or so. Just her, and her baby."

@Sarah
Walking In The Air

Started by Wulfric · April 22

Late March, 77AD
It had been a while, since he’d been back here last time. He had actually come back a few weeks after Charis had come to see him at the market. And he’d had time to think the whole thing over a few times. He still didn’t quite grasp how such a sweet and kind girl could turn into the opposite over such a short span of time. She’d been so nice and friendly when he met her at his father’s domus. She even said she took his advice for Peregrinus and sleeping habits. But then she came to him at his job at the marketplace and told him to leave Rome and not come back. Few had treated him nicely here in Rome. Most seemed to misunderstand him or simply just not understand him at all. There was nothing for him here. Or, not much.
He had tried to not give up too easily. He had told Charis the truth about why he was here, just like he told his father. Why would they not believe him? But he said to his father after that dinner party, that he’d be back and so he kept his promise, at least to begin with. He was stubborn. His mother had sometimes said that he inherited that from his father. He never saw that before… but now that he knew that Wulfstan was not his father, he understood. He had come back to his actual father’s house quite a few times, knocking on the door and walking inside. This was his father’s house. He was not just yet another visitor here, so why should he wait outside? Yet every time he was met by a slave and eventually asked to leave, because the Dominus was not at home.
That had happened quite a few times over the next few months. Antonia was apparently never at home either, so he'd never met his half-sister. And if Charis was there with Peregrinus, she stayed out of the way. Eventually he stopped coming. Charis was right. He clearly wasn’t wanted. Not by anyone but his half-brother Teutus it seemed. At least they got along. Time went by… and now springtime was coming and he had always planned he’d return to Germania when next spring came. That time was now. He had finished with the warehouse at the marketplace and had told the landlord of the insula he lived in, that he was leaving very soon.
And now, he showed up in front of his father’s house one last time. To tell that he was leaving. He didn’t expect them to be sad that he had to leave. He wasn’t sure what he expected. But it felt right to tell them. So there he was, outside the house, pulling himself together to knock on that door. Why didn’t he just do it? It felt so… final, somehow, to do it. Rome had not always treated him nicely, but still, it wasn't easy to just say goodbye, was it? Once he left, he wasn't sure he'd ever come back, after all. He might not see any of the people he met here, again. Wulfric sighed and leaned against a wall opposite the front door to his father’s domus.
(( OPEN THREAD FOR ANYONE ))
A day at the markets

Started by Teuta Varinia · March 30

March 77AD
The year was beginning to warm, and that put a spring in Varinia's step as well as in the year. She'd thrown open the windows of their little insula apartment and washed and hung the blankets out of them to air and dry. Next she was going to go through everyone's clothes and find what needed mending, or replacing. Then she would consider what else their little household might need. Teutus had told her that she could buy whatever she wanted, but she was determined to be careful with their funds, and acquired what they needed as they needed it. But now at least she could afford better quality goods.
Varinia stood out amongst the Romans. Dressed in a rich, brown chiton that matched her wavy hair, carefully coifed by Prosperpina, and a pale blue palla that brought out the grey in her eyes, she might dress like a Roman woman, but she was too tall and too pale to be anything but barbarian stock. Jannus, she'd noted, seemed to have similar heritage, and a Roman might have mistaken them for mother and son. She hadn't really had much of a chance to talk to the young slave; he shared Teutus's room unlike the little boy Amandus who shared hers along with Proserpina. Poor old Olipor slept in the main room. It felt odd, having been a slave and now keeping them, and Varinia tended to treat them more like family; like the children and grumpy old uncle she'd never had. Perhaps she'd have to make time to sit down with each of them.
First however, she needed to shop for food. And for a very special collection. She'd spent much of the winter spinning fleece, and now the loom that she had ordered was ready to be picked up. Varinia had to admit that she was quite excited. She'd always spun for her domina as a slave, but it was only her last mistress who had taught her to weave. Now she was free and, as the woman managing the household, it was her duty to see them properly clothed. And would she ever. She'd already dyed some of the spun wool and planned out the fancy weaving she was going to do for Teutus's new tunica; then she'd see to the rest of them. There were six of them crowded into the three rooms of the insula, but Varinia was loving her new life. Teutus made mention of the idea of getting a bigger place every so often and she wouldn't mind that, but she was in no hurry. She didn't ask for much and, for the first time in her life, she was getting more than what she asked for.
She had however asked to borrow Jannus for the day; she needed someone to help carry the loom home.
@Insignia
Where the f... is Tiberius?

Started by Marcus Junius Silanus · December 30, 2021

Saturnalia, 76 AD
It was Saturnalia and that meant many nights of having fun. The first night Marcus had spent in his own home, or rather, his mother’s husband’s home. Marcus had never been adopted and didn’t really consider Tusca his father at all. But he was there, for the dinner and to have fun with the slaves. Or they had fun with him. Apparently he deserved a lot of pranks, but he supposed he should have seen it coming, with how he often treated them. This was their only chance at getting back at him. But this was only the first night.
Days went on, more nights came and one evening he thought that maybe he should take Tiberius out for a drink or two. Or ten. He deserved a bit of fun! So off Marcus went to the palace, only to find out that his friend wasn’t there. The praetorians had not seen him and his body slave wasn’t there either. Claudia couldn’t be lured out and besides, her bodyguard was missing as well. There were a lot of people missing from the palace, Marcus learned. What worried him most was Tiberius though. It was one thing to go out with Marcus, at least they’d be two then. But alone? Tiberius, with his history, alone in Rome on Saturnalia?
So out he went again, to look for Tiberius. Where the fuck could he have gone? He didn’t even know what he was wearing. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack, but he was determined to find his friend before something went wrong. He couldn’t have gone far, surely, without a litter or anyone guarding him. Marcus went in the direction of the Forum Romanum first. Something interesting was bound to happen at the Forum and maybe he’d find Tiberius there. On the way, he stopped many people to ask if they'd seen his friend. Maybe one of them would actually have a useful response?
I just called to say...

Started by Teuta Varinia · November 30, 2021

Late August 76AD
She had to do it. It had to happen. Probably it would amount to nothing, but it would at least close a chapter in her life. The young girl she had once been, the one who still carried a torch for the young man who had seduced her, who had fathered her child, demanded it. The more pragmatic woman knew that the young girl was likely to get her heart broken one more time, but at least it would be the end of it.
She had to see him.
Prosperpine had done her hair in an elaborate and very modern style and even applied a little make-up. Not too much, she didn't want to look like she was negotiable, even though she was still an attractive woman with a good figure, just no longer an adolescent girl. But he knew that, they'd basically grown into adulthood together, or at least in the same household. Being unwed she wore not the stola but a rich, brown chiton, offset by a pale blue palla that she wore draped around her shoulders and pinned with a polished bronze fibula. It was the finest clothing she'd ever owned, and thanks to her son and her body slave, she felt like an Augusta.
That feeling slipped for a moment as she approached the family domus where she had been a slave for so many years, but she reminded herself that she was a slave no more, and importantly had not been freed by Tertius, so was not beholden to him. Taking a deep breath, she straightened up, caught the drape of her palla up in her left hand, and rapped smartly on the door.
@Atrice@Sara
Leave The Door Open

Started by Lucius Antonius Alexius · November 29, 2021

Early August, 76 AD
Well lately had been eventful! It wasn’t like he was bored at all with the job he had with Teutus, the warehouse gave him plenty to do. And then he happened upon Ovinia, such a beautiful young woman in need of a proper guard, and he’d escorted her home. And now her father would pay him to escort her out from time to time too. But he liked not being bored and he liked meeting interesting, intelligent people. And who wouldn’t like to spend some time in the company of a lady like Ovinia, even if he should not think further than to actually guarding her. Not with his entire body. Only if he needed to.
Gods, what a night it had been! He stretched in his bed. The company he had for the night had already left, he probably had to go to work, and Alexius was alone. Lexus usually also left early for his job and he had it all to himself. He wandered out to splash a bit of cold water in his face and emptied a cup of wine that stood on the table, although it had turned sour over the night. Oh well, a bit of wine was better than nothing, best not to let it go to waste, right?
But he was hungry and had little to eat with the wine, so what to do about that? He tossed a tunica over his head and left the small insula. He didn’t feel like going down to the street just yet, so knocking on some door to ask if they’d share some morning bread with him was the next best thing. And he had many friends in the house now. First he considered Didia, but decided she too would be busy working now. Maybe Teutus was at home?
He ran both hands through his hair to try and set it, although it probably didn’t work, and then he went knocking on Teutus’ door. He had a larger insula than Alexius had, and he knew Teutus bought some slaves recently… maybe it would be one of them, answering the door?
@Sarah
Teuta Varinia

Started by Sarah · September 30, 2021

Teuta Varinia
41 | 12 April 35 | Freedwoman | Mother, to everyone | Bisexual | Wanted | Annabel Scholey

Personality.
A quiet, pragmatic woman, Varinia is what happens when the romantic young girl grows up. She has loved, and she has lost, and she feels she's lost more than she's loved. She didn't ask for this life, but it's the one she has and she makes what she can of it. Obedient and dutiful, if sometimes wistful, she holds her eternal sadness close, adding to it as life's disappointments grow over the years. But she is never without the tiny spark of hope, the young girl with big dreams is still in there somewhere.

Appearance
Tall compared to most Roman women, Varinia has a willowy build and lightly tanned skin with a few freckles across her nose. Thick, wavy brown hair frames her face, with a few grey hairs at her temples. Her eyes are grey and deep set, sometimes appearing dark at a distance. Time has given her lines around her mouth and across her forehead, suggesting that she's frowned more than she's smiled, which is a shame because her smile lights up her face.
She keeps herself neat in appearance, and as well dressed as what she is provided with allows. Particularly she takes care with her hair, to brush it well and do it as elegantly as she dares. It's her one little indulgence. Otherwise is a practical woman of necessity.

Family
Father: Vopiscus
Mother: Danu
Siblings: Litogena, Cathirix, Viction, Sama, Indercilia, Perula
Spouse: None
Children: Teutus Quinctilius Varus
Extended family: Unknown
Other: Tertius Quinctilius Varus is the son of Varinia's former owner, and father of her son Teutus.

History
Childhood
35AD, Born the second child - and second daughter - of a Gaulish farmer in the north of the province, the young girl they named Viriana was a lively and energetic child. She loved the farm, working with the animals, spinning the wool, tending the crops and helping her parents, especially her mother as Viriana grew older and her parents' brood grew. The next two children were sons, and three daughters followed, with only one child lost between them. Their neighbours whispered that they had the favour of the Gods, to have so many healthy children.
And so it seemed until 48AD, the dry year, when the soil turned to dust and baked beneath the sun. Suddenly having seven children with huge appetites was no blessing. By this point Viriana was well grown and beginning to show the first hints of womanhood. An officer in the local garrison took an interest with her, and her parents made the decision to sell her to him, for coin to buy food for the rest, and so that she would be cared for. She'd cried, screamed and begged when the officer had come to take her, her father's face stony and uncompromising. Her older sister cowering in the corner, her mother pressing something into her hand as she said goodbye, then ran weeping from the room. That first betrayal was a strong memory. She'd kicked and screamed, been carried away, and thrown into a room at the garrison fort. Eventually the officer who'd bought her had cowed her, all the while cursing barbarian slaved for their insolence. He called her Varinia, which was as close as he cared to come to her name.
She lost count of her tears, but through it all she kept the stone her mother had given her; it had a hole through the center, and such were said to bring luck. When her days seemed darkest, she would touch the stone, carried on a thong around her neck, and remember the day that she and her mother had found it in the nearby stream. The sun, the trees, the warm grass, her mother's voice and warm embrace; that day now seemed like heaven. And it was gone.
Youth
She didn't stay in the officer's possession for long. When his legion returned to Rome she was sold, presumably for the coin it would get him, and purchased by a man named Publius Quinctilius Varus Major. The name meant nothing to Varinia particularly, but the home that she arrived in was large and comfortable, and the other slaves there told her that he was powerful and important. Her skill at spinning wool was noted, and her mistress would set her to spinning for the clothing she would weave when Varinia had nothing else to do.
She became a body slave to her new Domina, Laelia Calida, and general house slave, learning how to keep a Roman Domus and how to cook food to Roman tastes. At first the garum made her feel ill, but she got used to it. Not that the slaves had to eat it, but her master and mistress seemed to feel that food wasn't complete without it. They had two sons - had had three but one had died - and a daughter, and the younger of the sons, Tertius, was only a few years older than herself.
In the eyes of a girl growing into a young woman, he was strong and handsome and clearly destined for greatness, and she developed a youthful crush on her master's youngest son, and entertained dreams that one day he might free her and they could marry. So when they came his advances were welcomed, and for a few at first awkward and then more pleasurable nights, it seemed like her dreams might come true. Then something changed. Whilst her dreams had included bearing Tertius's children, that had come after they were wed, so learning that she was pregnant came as a nasty reality check. All the more so when she bore Tertius a healthy baby boy, and he refused to touch him. Even if she remained a slave, the thought that her son could be a free Roman citizen and heir of a man who she knew would be powerful had bouyed her, but the day she presented her new son to the man she loved and he refused him shattered those dreams forever. The boy they named Teutus would remain a slave. That was the second betrayal. She began to wonder whether Tertius had ever loved her.
Young Adult
It was only later that she realised that it had probably been at his father's direction that Tertius had refused to take Teutus. And it was her Dominus's work again when Tertius and Secundus were sent off to serve in the legions, away from the Domus and away from her. Her heart fell further as the young man she still loved left, and she could only hope that he would return soon.
In the meantime her life settled into the kind of comfortable monotony that was probably the best a slave could hope for. She served her Domina and Dominus, she raised Teutus as best she could, and life rolled on, the years passing as her boy grew, but with little else to mark them. She made herself as useful as she could, and she ensured that Teutus learned every useful skill that anyone would teach him, in the hope that he would at least be a valuable slave with a comfortable future. There was that, at least. She still remembered, a lifetime ago, that year of drought and famine when she was sold; here they did not want for what they needed, Publius ensured that.
In 65AD rumours began to circulate through the household that Secundus and Tertius were returning. By now Teutus was a grown youth, old enough to take his toga if he were free, and Varinia was comfortable in the current state of the household. She had her place. Suddenly things were about to change again. Older now, she doubted that Tertius's interest in her had persisted, or perhaps even been more than teenage lust in the first place, but she held some hope that when he returned and saw Teutus - who was grown to be so very much like his father - he might have some change of heart. Indeed the whole household seemed energised by the idea of the boys, now men, returning.
And then she was sold. Away from her beloved son, away from reuniting with the man she still hoped held the key to their freedom. It was the third betrayal. Before she left she gave her son the stone her mother had given her, with the silent hope that it might bring him more luck than it had brought her.
Adult.
Since leaving Publius's household Varinia served a family of Equites who valued her house keeping skills, and wanted her to supplement the older woman who ran the household. Tana was slowing due to age, but was sharp as a blade mentally, and when she saw Varinia's fine spinning she showed her how to use the weighted and two-beam looms, which she also proved to have a knack for. Varinia threw herself into her new duties and learning this new skill as a way of taking her mind off the loss of her beloved son who had been her world, and the hope that her erstwhile lover might still free her.
Whenever she went to the markets for her master and mistress she listened for any news of her former owner and his family. She heard when Publius died, as someone mentioned his funeral, but that was all. She accepted that this was her life now, but she longed most to hear of her son.
Sarah | AEST - GMT +10 | DM or Discord
@Gothic
A little discomfort in a good cause

Started by Teutus Quinctilius Varus · September 29, 2021

July 76
Teutus' business was going well and he needed to expand because there were certain things he just couldn't do on his own. He had made arrangements with Alexius for his services regarding the security side of it but he needed a clerk for himself (or would do soon), a body slave and a general runner/messenger. The latter two were more urgent than the former; Teutus was more than capable of keeping his own books and records, at least for now.
He also needed someone who could act as an agent, but he would rather not look in the slave markets for someone to fill that role - though if he found someone who could, he wouldn't turn it down.
He had to steel himself to enter the slave market; he had himself been a slave and although he was never in any danger of being sold, it had left him with a sour taste in his mouth when it came to actually buying slaves, though it was something he would have to get used to.
"Good morning," he said as a guard or auctioneer or someone otherwise connected with the trade came up to him. "I don't suppose the boss is around?"

@Sarah
A missing mother

Started by Sharpie · September 16, 2021

This is Varinia, the mother of freedman Teutus Quinctilius Varus, who fell pregnant with him at a (relatively) young age by her master's son Tertius Quinctilius Varus.
She was sold when her son was fifteen, and they have not seen one another since. Where she has been and what has happened to her in the meantime is up to you, but in the meantime her son has been freed and is now in a position to buy her and free her (if she has not been freed already).
There is plenty of potential for plots - her son Teutus and ex-lover Tertius are both played, as is Charis, a slave in a similar position as she was, with a new baby son by Tertius.
Suggested PB above is Annabel Scholey from Britannia but anyone who looks plausibly like a parent of Teutus with Tertius would work. If you have any other questions, catch me or Atrice on Discord!

Reserved for @Sarah