Cynane

• Quote

  She's a killer queen...

• Face Claim

  Katheryn Winnick

• Location

  Rome (regrettably)

Recent Posts

1. 

   A New Beginning

   13 hours ago

   That smile on Charis’ face, however exhausted and tired she was now… that was all that mattered, when she saw it. Charis was proud of her beautiful little boy, loving him already, even though his fate was still unknown to her. Cynane kind of wished she could just sweep them both away and back to Britannia, far away from Rome and their owners. But she could not. Instead she’d just help Charis the best she could. When she suggested rest and Charis going to the bed, Charis was not sure she could stand. Poor girl. She was so tired. Cynane sighed, although she stood up now and the midwife seemed to agree that Charis should be moved to the bed.
   Then Charis suddenly asked if Cynane would take the boy. She remembered what Charis had said, that she should hold him second, but one thing was to say it then and another was to hear it now that the child was born. She nodded, of course, “Yes… yes, I’ll take him.” She said, almost as if speaking through her breath and then Charis held the bundle out to her. Cynane could not remember if she ever held such a newborn child before, but she took him and held him gently, a hand under his head and then up against her body, cradling him in her arms. She could feel his warmth and there he was, looking up at her face with dark blue eyes and how could she not smile at him? It was kind of sad to know that it would never be her child, looking at her like that. Then she remembered she should follow Charis to the bed, so she did.
   Charis soon lay back against the pillows and cushions there, with a blanket over her and Cynane sat next to her. Charis thanked her and she smiled, “There’s no need for that. You’re my friend, Charis. I would do anything for you… and him.” She added and handed the boy carefully back to his mother, “Now rest, you two. You need it. I’ll stay here for as long as I can.”
   ((most newborn’s eyes are blue))
   @Sara
   
2. 

   A New Beginning

   Wednesday at 06:59 PM

   Every step of the way, Cynane would be here. She never experienced childbirth herself, but she remembered it from Britannia and also a few women in the ludus, who got unlucky and had to give birth to children conceived unwillingly. Much like Charis. Poor Charis. And she swore and cried out and barely let go of Cynane’s hand for a single moment. And she allowed Charis to do it, because honestly, Charis needed it! She didn’t have her sister here, or her mother or any other family members. But Cynane recalled their moments together, when they confessed they loved each other as if they were sisters. And she would be Charis’ sister now… and the child her niece or nephew. No matter what the Romans said.
   Eventually it happened. Charis was in the odd birthing chair and the midwife said she could see the child – she could see ‘him’, she said. She held onto her friend, until the child was finally released from her body and silence filled the room, while the midwife had the child and cut the string. Cynane stroked Charis’ warm and sweaty hair with her free hand, while her friend relaxed a few moments against the chair.
   Then there was a wail. Cynane let out a little laugh, hearing the child cry out for the first time and then the child was handed to Charis, against her chest. Cynane felt tears in her own eyes but it didn’t matter – it was a miracle, that she had just witnessed! She watched Charis with the child, her friend kissed the boy on the forehead and spoke to him in their own language. She sighed, happy for Charis, however unknown the future for the boy still was.
   Soon the placenta came and Charis just held the child and Cynane was crouching down next to her. Charis seemed so happy when she looked at Cynane and she nodded, “You did it, Charis. You and your son.” She said, “He is beautiful. Come, you need rest. Can you stand?” She would help Charis to the bed, with the boy in her arms and she would stay for as long as she would be allowed to, now the child was born. It was sad though, that she knew she could not stay for weeks, until it was announced whether the boy would be free or not. She wanted to be by Charis’ side when it happened, but she knew this birth was a special occasion and she’d soon need to return to Claudia. She had barely thought about Claudia while she was here, but now… for once she felt torn between her mistress and her friend.
   @Sara
   
3. 

   A New Beginning

   Tuesday at 11:58 AM

   The gods better have mercy on Charis. Pity she could not kick their asses for putting Charis through all of this, but she could imagine it, at least. Meanwhile she said nothing when Charis reached for her hand and squeezed it hard. She felt so bad for Charis. She was young, but of course, at the right age to have a child. Many both Romans and Britons had their first child earlier than Charis did. Charis could do it, she knew. But if Charis could not be confident, Cynane would be confident for her.
   And it would happen – the child would be born and Cynane would be right here by Charis’ side the whole time, helping her, encouraging her and helping her curse when something hurt too much. Charis cried out in pain again and when it was over this time, she said how glad she was that Cynane was here and that the baby would have her too. And she wanted Cynane to hold the baby second after her. Cynane wondered if Charis would get any time to recover or if the baby had to be laid by its father’s feet right away. Not all women were able to just get up and walk out after they gave birth, after all. Well, she supposed she’d wait and see.
   “If that is your wish, then that’s how it will be. I will be here, for both of you.” She promised her friend, knowing that the worst was probably still to come, but it had to happen and it would. The day went on, afternoon turned into evening and Cynane didn’t leave Charis’ side once until it was all over.
   @Sara
   
4. 

   Don't Have a Heart Attack

   Tuesday at 10:44 AM

   Cynane knew how rough a situation it had been. They could all have been killed - Claudia too! She hadn't known anything but that, when she threw the knife. She had to save Claudia and not because she was her slave-bodyguard who might be executed if Claudia died in her watch... no, because she cared and she could not let anything happen to the princess she'd come to like so much. Claudia was her mistress, but also her friend and Cynane would be there for her, no matter what. She'd kill for her. She'd rather not die for her though, because then she could not protect her.
   Volusa was quiet while Cynane talked and seemed surprised when Cynane told about how she threw the knife. Cynane still felt good about that part though. It had felt good. Volusa however, said it sounded terrifying and dropped her bundle of washing and extended her hands to Cynane. She wasn't sure what Volusa wanted though, Cynane wasn't the type to go around and hug just anyone and she never did it with Volusa before. Cynane had a hard shell.
   "I suppose... when you look at it like that... I guess it was?" Cynane said, "But we're safe and alive now. Claudia is safe and alive. That is what matters." 
   @Sharpie
   
5. 

   Another World, Another Time

   Sunday at 08:32 PM

   She smiled, when he repeated her name as if he wanted to remember it - for future reference or because she interested him? Again, it was a stupid thought. He was not her man, after all. She had complimented his speech then and Eppitacos smiled, chuckled and explained more about the speech. About how he preferred to speak from the heart, rather than prepare something beforehand. She nodded, "Words spoken from the heart are the truest, my mother says. And they were good words." She added with a friendly smile, watching him drink from his own goblet. Cinnia was not some lovestruck youth, but she had to admit he was easy on the eyes and she felt kind of proud that he'd picked her to talk to, among all these people. Even over her own cousin, his betrothed! Perhaps he just wanted a relaxed conversation and no one else could give him that. He had a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, and while he was older than he, he was also still young compared to many of the other men and chiefs. 
   Eppitacos wondered who she was and who she wanted to be. Cinnia chuckled, "That's a... deep question, isn't it? Kind of personal too." She added with a small wink, but she was only teasing. He was curious and she'd be happy to answer him, because she did, after all, know the answer, "All I know is I want to help defeat those Romans. I've been training since I was strong enough to wield a sword. And you'll have mine, when the time comes." She then promised. Did it sound stupid, coming from a girl in a dress? He couldn't know she preferred more masculine clothing, because it was easier to fight and move in. 
   @Chris
   
6. 

   A New Beginning

   Sunday at 08:21 PM

   A matt had been arranged for Cynane in the room, so she had a place to sleep. For some reason and she wasn’t sure it was good, the birth didn’t go fast and easy and the more time it took, the more it worried Cynane. Seeing Charis so tired, exhausted and in pain didn’t make her feel better about anything and the number of times she’d inwardly cursed Tertius to Hel were unknown. She did that a lot. For doing this to Charis, for putting lovely and sweet young Charis through this. It had been days now and she barely knew what time it was. She sat by Charis’ side, while her friend wondered to the midwife why the child was not coming.
   It was then the midwife stood with a smug grin on her face and Charis had another contraction before she had a chance to answer. Cynane heard the midwife say it would get worse – as if it wasn’t bad enough already – before it would be here. The child, she meant? Cynane reached for Charis’ hand, while her friend looked at her too, tears in her eyes. Fuck that bloody Roman!
   But she had to make sure Charis made it. The child had to be born, and live and Charis better not die in childbirth! She’d become Cynane’s closest friend in Rome and she was not losing her now. If she did… she swore, by all of her own gods, that Tertius would die painfully before Cynane was dragged off to her own execution!
   “You can do it and you will.” Cynane said, “I’m here. And the midwife knows how it goes. Before you know it, the child will be here.” She added with a small smile, “I pray the gods show some mercy this time.”
   @Sara
   
7. 

   A New Beginning

   September 13

   Cynane
   Of course Cynane was slightly upset with how Tertius had spoken to her – but she might be upset with anything that came out of his mouth, because honestly, he could go fuck himself with a sword if it was up to her. He did all this to Charis, it was his fault she went through all this pain, now. Charis blinked at her words though, stating that they were slaves and Cynane sighed quietly. Not even now could they speak freely – unless Charis had truly come to terms with being a slave, which Cynane hoped wasn’t the case.
   They talked more though and Cynane mentioned she thought Tertius would free the child. Charis wasn’t sure, said he was hard to read… and then said he’d been good to her? She even smiled. Cynane looked at her, unsure if she liked this almost submissive side of Charis. This side of Charis that seemed to accept her dominus.
   “Well that does sound… new. Again though… why would he do all that, if he would not be good to the child also?” She said and Charis of course hoped Tertius would free the child. Because of course she could not imagine not being mother and Cynane arched a brow, “Why should you not be? If he’s so good to you… let us hope that will continue, at least. Perhaps even you can earn what I still haven’t… your own freedom too.” There was a chance, for Charis. Maybe Claudia would not free Cynane because she cared too much. She wouldn’t lose Cynane if she did not free her. It was flattering and sad at the same time.
   @Sara
   
8. 

   A New Beginning

   August 28

   Something was building up, Cynane could almost feel it moments before Charis suddenly moaned in pain and gripped the sheet. Cynane held better onto her hand, should she want to squeeze it – and she gave her friend a worried look. Of course she knew that with childbirth came a lot of pain, but she never tried it herself, so she did not know what it was like. Possibly worse than being beaten up in the arena, she thought to herself. And that could be pretty bad.
   When Charis was finally able to relax again, she looked at the Charis too, didn’t know how it worked, “I guess we’ll find out.” Cynane replied, before the midwife and Rhoda returned. Cynane did not leave Charis’ side though, while her friend spoke, wanting to give birth a different way. But this was Rome and they would do it the Roman way, because anything else would be considered barbaric and uncivilized. To Cynane, it seemed quite official, this whole thing. Everyone knew Charis was pregnant with Tertius’ child and now she was giving birth in his room. With a Roman birthing chair and everything.
   Charis asked if he spoke when Cynane arrived and she looked at her, “He did, but only briefly. He told me to not speak our tongue with you. And he made it clear that I may be from the palace, but I am still nothing to him.” She could not pretend to be pleased and didn’t. Then she looked at Charis, as it dawned on her, the thoughts from before about this room, If that was not a statement about the child being Tertius’, what was? “I think he may free the child. Why else go through such lengths with all this?”
   @Sara
   
9. 

   A New Beginning

   August 27

   Cynane naturally didn’t like to see her friend in pain or seeing her crying, but she would see both today. All thanks to her fucking monster of an owner. Charis just thanked her for her willingness to stay though and Cynane gave her another smile, “Of course I’m staying.” She repeated and then she had also wondered whose room this was. Charis glanced around, seeming almost nervous and then she said it was her master’s. He had given her his room to give birth in? Cynane was surprised, that he would allow that to happen in here, but Charis had already made it clear several times that he could be quite difficult and hard to figure out.
   Charis sent a look to the kitchen slave Rhoda, who easily convinced the midwife to get out then. They were left alone and Charis reached up to Cynane for a hug. Cynane returned it of course, careful to not squeeze too hard near the belly and Charis spoke in their own tongue. So Cynane had just come and Charis was already disobeying her master. Well he had it coming. She just hoped no one were eavesdropping. 
   Her friend thanked her once more, saying they did not have long to talk like this and then she mentioned that this was the bed where her master violated her. Cynane inhaled a breath, staring at the door for a brief moment. But Charis moaned in pain and let go of her hand.
   “Romans are strange sometimes. And cruel. If I didn’t know they’d punish us both for it, I would…” She trailed off, it was probably better left unsaid, what was on her mind. And she was forgetting the rules too now and also speaking in their own tongue. She looked around the room, seeing the chair, “I think they’re going to use that though… should I fetch the midwife again? I don’t know much about these things…”
   @Sara
   
10. 

    A New Beginning

    August 26

    She tried her best to forget her short meeting with Tertius, instead she would prefer to focus on her friend and what she needed. Charis said it was all fine and it wasn’t so bad yet. Cynane nodded, guessing it would be worse then and judging by the glances the midwife and Rhoda shared, she was right. She recalled a few births taking place in Britannia, but she’d never witnessed one in Rome. Everything was so different here. Charis then said they had to speak Latin and Cynane nodded, her smile fading by the thought, “He told me as much too.” And she wouldn’t say more, Rhoda and the midwife did not need to know her thoughts and she was certain Charis could tell by the tone of her voice what she thought of that demand.
    Charis then squeezed her hand and shifted – Cynane sat down beside her, not letting go of the hand. It was a mighty fine bed Charis was in, she thought to herself. Whose room was this? She looked around in it, there were shelves and chests with things and the cushions were decorated beautifully too. But Tertius was not married, was he? Else he’d not be sleeping with Charis. Or maybe he would have anyway, the monster that he was! But she kept her thoughts to herself and Charis thanked her for coming, apologizing for the time it might take.
    “Don’t think about it, I’m staying for as long as it takes.” Cynane said with a soft smile to her friend, it was unsaid that she would not leave unless forced. Charis winced and asked about Cynane’s domina.
    “She was asleep when the messenger came… but your dominus wrote to her and I was told right after, that of course I could go. So I assume it’s fine. It has to be. This is not the sort of the thing you can control, after all.” She added and looked around again, “Whose room is this?”
    @Sara
    

Topics I Participated In

1. 

   A New Beginning

   Started by Sara · August 23

   20th of August, 75AD
   It had started an hour ago. A dull ache in her back that woke her up from her sleep and wouldn't settle. It wasn't excruciating, but it ached. By the time the hour was up, the ache had morphed into an odd sort of...pressure that couldn't quite be explained or articulated, every ten or perhaps twenty minutes that gripped her belly - deep inside. She knew enough to know that this might be the beginning. She was not due for two, or three more weeks but the midwives had warned her that with her size an early labour was not to be unexpected. She felt the waves of fear crash over her as she sat cross legged on her bed, trying to breathe through the gripping sensation as the other two girls in the room snored in their slumber, oblivious. She felt breathless, and not just from the discomfort, but from the panic that consumed her. She felt flushed, hot and trapped. It couldn't be now could it? She wasn't ready, she hadn't sent word to Cynane or her sister, she hadn't put plans in place if...if things did not go well. She choked and Jocasta stopped her snoring, but mercifully didn't wake. She couldn't stay here. 
   As the waves of the pressure settled again, she carefully and quietly pushed herself up from her cot and padded gently from the room into the chill of the early morning. It must have been still well before dawn - the sky was an inky black, but there was a bright moon and she found herself following the familiar route into the garden. One arm cupped her bump and the other reached out to the columns to settle herself, not out of pain - that had stopped for now - but from the fear overtaking her. 
   She finally made it outside on unsteady feet with flushed cheeks and moved to sit on the bench. She glanced about the place, deserted in the dead of night and tried to ignore the memories of all that had happened out here; praying to her Gods (where were they now?), that first taste of a relationship with Tertius, playing with Antonia, arguing with Teutus...everything that had happened to her here had started from the garden. Maybe that was why she was drawn here now? She must have been sat there for a little while as the pressure, the gripping pain started again and she winced, reaching out one hand so her fingers clasped the stone of the bench and she let out breathless little mewls of discomfort. As she breathed through it (dreading that this was only the beginning, and the pain would get so much worse), she didn't realise somebody else was approaching. 
    
   TAG: @Atrice
   
2. 

   Another World, Another Time

   Started by Atrice · August 17

   60 AD
   Cinnia had finished her training for the day early on, so that she could ready for this party. Gone were now the spears, the shields and the swords and the armor. Instead she had been dressed up, which didn’t happen all that often. She’d always been more comfortable in the convenient clothes for battle, rather than the inconvenient dresses they made her wear for occasions like this. But her father, Owen, had told her not long ago that there was a great celebration to attend for everyone who mattered in the Brigantes tribe. And that included her family, for Owen’s brother was the King of the Brigantes. And now it would be made official, that the princess Ysulda – Cinnia's cousin – was to marry one Eppitacos, the new and young King of the Catuvellauni. And so she would be wearing a dress.
   She had not really met him before, but of course she’d heard about his victories and she was curious to see this young man, who was now suddenly king of one of the other tribes. She wore a light blue dress over her white and light flax shift this afternoon. Around her waist was a leather-belt with a very finely made belt buckle. Her hair had been done up on her head and her sisters had put flowers in her hair, even!
   Together, the whole family arrived to the celebration of Eppitacos and Ysulda. There was a feast, food to be had and drinks to be had. Cinnia was 16 years old and of course she had attended weddings and celebrations and the festivals that marked the wheel of the year, but this was different. She got the sense that this really mattered. She stood together with her own family, not far from the most important couple tonight, when Ysulda's father declared the betrothal official and the druids would declare it sacred. Together, the two tribes would now stand against their common enemy, Rome. And together, they would defeat Rome and send them back to the hellhole they came from!
   Afterwards, the proper festivities began and Cinnia suddenly found that her brother and her sisters had drifted from here. And there he was, suddenly, not so far from her. The young king Eppitacos. She looked at him over the edge of her cup of mead, he wasn’t too bad looking at all. Ysulda was lucky, she thought. She was betrothed to a King, who was also known as a warrior and he was good looking. He had it all, didn’t he? Would she ever be so lucky and marry such a man? One could only hope he was nice too. And now he was looking her way. Gods, this was stupid. As if she stood a chance, when he was already claimed by her cousin.
   @Chris
   
3. 

   No Boundaries

   Started by Atrice · June 20

   July, 75 AD
   For how long had she been coming here now? Last time she saw Charis in person was in February, before she attempted to get rid of the child. It had been months now since she last saw her friend and she supposed most people would have given up by now. But not Cynane. She did not give up on her friend, not when she had promised she would be there when Charis needed her. And so here she was, again, standing opposite the home of Tertius Quinctilius Varus, where Charis lived. She hadn’t tried to approach anyone from the house, not since she met Teutus, who had been entirely unhelpful. Such a friend he was!
   She still hadn’t seen Charis though and she came here every week, on the same day they used to meet and around the same hour. Nothing had changed when it came to that. But there had been no sign of her friend and she didn’t wait as long as she once had. Maybe it was pointless. Maybe she should give up and return to the palace and come back next week…
   But then, just as she was about to turn away once more, a petite figure left the domus and it was a figure that was easily recognizable – even with the bump she had, she was quite a few months pregnant now, wasn’t she? Cynane felt slightly bad for having almost scolded Charis for wanting to get rid of the child. It wasn’t a child of love, after all. And her friend almost died because she didn’t want it – but now she was having it anyway.
   She almost felt shy, as she decided to approach her friend. She walked closer, hoping Charis would see her, unless she had forgotten everything. She didn’t seem to notice Cynane, so she approached her and touched her shoulder gently, suddenly feeling almost on the verge of tears and overwhelmed by meeting Charis once more… “Erea…”
   @Sara
   
4. 

   Guarding You

   Started by Atrice · June 5

   Late September, 74 AD
   after Road to danger and Consequences
   Everything was taken care of with the princess. Flavia Juliana had slaves ready to help Claudia and Cynane remained quiet, alert and resilient while Claudia was bathed and her blood-soaked dress removed. She didn't speak unless spoken to. She did not take her eyes off Claudia for one tiny instant. It was while Claudia was under her protection, that she could have been hurt… she could have been worse off than she was! She could have been violated or even killed, although the first would honestly have been worse for the princess than the latter. When you died, you died. Living through the aftermath of the other thing… was not something she wished upon the only Roman she truly cared about. Maybe even loved.
   Now Claudia had been bathed and dressed in clean clothes and she had been given a room of her own to stay in while they were here. Aia and Decimus were elsewhere, while Decimus was being patched up and had to rest. Cynane followed Claudia, she would not leave her alone right now. Like a shewolf, she would guard her young with her life.
   She watched how the last of the slaves left the room and finally she and Claudia were alone… to think and to talk, probably. They needed to, after this. Claudia would need it and Cynane would be there for her. But for now, Cynane remained standing near the doorway, so she could check anyone who might want to enter.
   And she waited for Claudia to say something.
   Just something.
   Anything.
   @Gothic
    
   
5. 

   Poker Face

   Started by Atrice · May 31

   Early April, 75 AD
   The market, always bustling with life. It wasn’t so much fun to come here alone though, Cynane thought to herself. She missed spending time with Charis. She missed buying a package of honey cakes with her friend and going to the nearest garden to sit down and eat them and just talk. She hadn’t seen her friend since she announced she was pregnant. It seemed Cynane was in bad luck every time she went to the domus to check for Charis, because she didn’t come out and Cynane knew better than to approach Teutus now, if she saw him. She still didn’t know what to make of him, but he was also in a strange position in the household.
   So… off she went to the market. Maybe she’d buy some leather, her armor was getting a bit worn and especially the sheath could use something nicer. Not that she wore weapons today, she had a few hours to spend on her home and no one were stupid enough to let a slave out in Rome with weapons. Especially not a woman who was both warrior, gladiatrix and bodyguard. Not that she could not be deadly without a weapon, but if it fooled them, fine.
   “It’s her…” She heard someone say in a low voice nearby and froze, listening in to the conversation, “I heard someone talk about her in the Poppina one night. She’s the princess’ bodyguard and she threw a sword to save her life. She’s apparently very fierce.” The person said and Cynane turned towards the little group talking about her, arching a brow. Without fear she approached them, which seemed to surprise them and she stopped right in front of them.
   “I am. But you should know better than to listen to gossip.” She said to the group, they appeared to be some of the wealthier plebs in Rome. They just stared at her.
   “That’s up for us to decide.” A woman said and then they all turned to walk away.
   “Well fuck you too.” Cynane said, but in her own Briton language, glaring after them, wishing she knew a real curse of sorts. Cynane shook her head, they were all younger than her, but just because they were free, they thought they had the right to talk behind someone’s back. She wondered if she should follow them and scare them, or something. It was interesting though, that word got out about that incident. And that Cynane was now known for that. She wondered who spoke about her at the Poppina?
   @Ejder
   
6. 

   Don't Have a Heart Attack

   Started by Atrice · March 27

   Late September, 74 AD
   set after Road to Danger and Consequenses
   They had survived and they had returned home to the palace… safely, all of them. Decimus’ arm and shoulder had been taken care of, Claudia was unharmed although quite shook of course and she would need time to recover, mentally. It was a huge ordeal to be attacked by bandits in the countryside, get yourself involved in a fight with them and have a knife to your throat the way she had. And then have the leader of the gang killed by Cynane with a well thrown knife to his throat! That was a huge ordeal for a princess, she knew that. And she would be as gentle and understanding as Claudia needed her to be. She would be whatever Claudia needed her to be, to be honest.
   Cynane was fine though. She found that she had actually felt alive during the fight, she had done something she knew how to do and she had come out more or less unharmed and she had painted herself with the blood of her enemy to show her victory and gain some of his power. The blood was long gone now though and Cynane appeared as fine and clean as always.
   It was about a week ago it happened now and things were still a little bit tense around Claudia’s quarters. Her slaves at the palace had only heard the stories and not many of them knew the full story about what happened. Cynane had seen the looks Volusa gave her, but they’d had little time to talk. Now, as so many other times before, Cynane found herself standing outside of Claudia’s quarters, guarding her princess and those she had around her. She stood there, quietly, ready and alert as always. If anything happened to her mistress again, gods, she would kill again!
   The scene went through her mind again and again these days and she was once more alert as ever, however also lost in the thoughts and the memories. Throwing that knife... seeing Claudia stand, soaked in blood. It felt kind of immoral, but gods she'd been beautiful even then! She was startled then, by the sound of Volusa suddenly coming out from Claudia's chambers and she instantly turned around, facing the younger woman.
   @Sharpie
   
7. 

   A sky so sunny

   Started by Sharpie · May 15, 2019

   May 74CE
   Volusa entered her mistress' chamber on silent bare feet, placing the breakfast tray beside her bed before turning to lay out her under-tunic ready for when she wished to rise; Claudia would tell her what else she wanted to wear, but having at least an under-tunic ready was always a good start. She was beginning to get used to this new routine, although it wasn't the same every day. Well, why should it be? Especially on a nice day like today; Volusa actually wouldn't be at all surprised if her mistress preferred to dress and then take breakfast in the colonnade surrounding the garden.
   That would be easy enough to arrange, of course - once Mistress Claudia was awake.
   Volusa crossed to the shutters, opening them to let the sun in, thankful that it did not fall directly across her mistress' face, although the newly-admitted brightness caused the young lady to stir.
   "Salve, Domina," Volusa said quietly, wanting to wake her but not startle her. "I've brought your breakfast."
   Serving one person was far to be preferred to running around, ordered about by several people, all of whom though their orders should superceed everyone else's. It was far easier to please just one person!
    
   @Gothic
   

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