Livia Justina

• Face Claim

  Noémie Schmidt

• Location

  Tibur/Roma

Recent Posts

1. 

   Celebrations, Confidences, and Confessions

   July 25

   How unfortunate that the harlot was more cultured than most of her ilk. Livia suffered through the performance with lips pursed into the suggestion of a yellow smile should any of their guests look her way (which was sure to happen, although she tried not to think about it), her glare at Vibia so intense it felt like it could poke a hole into the woman's fair skin. Fortunately, the selected piece was not a long one. Unfortunately, Vibia did have a pleasant singing voice and passable plucking skills - the latter no doubt aided by her usual metier. 
   "A satisfactory show, yes," she conceded with a curt nod, followed by a long sip of wine so she could avoid the expectation of lavishing praise upon the performer. "Your blasphemies will not please the gods, Secundus," Livia added without so much as a glance at her husband. "I'm afraid I will have to pass on your offer. I don't find it appropriate for a woman to display such skills in public, but I imagine one thinks differently when they are one's livelihood."
   The cup was now empty, and Livia's mood was not improved by this discovery. Gesturing at a slave for a refill and a bite to eat, she gave Vibia a condescending smile. "How long did it take you to achieve this level of proficiency? It must have required a lot of practice." A quick, mocking glance at Secundus insinuated he couldn't possibly have been the sole volunteer to be practised on. For as long as she lived, Livia would never understand what men found so appealing in sticking their precious appendage somewhere hundreds of others had done the same.
   @Sara @Járnviðr
   
2. 

   Let's play pretend

   July 25

   'Tempus fugit'? Only when one was having fun. Each year with Secundus felt like a decade, and Livia wasn't keen on immortality. What had been on her father's mind when he had agreed to the disastrous match? The question had floated countless times through her mind, yet remained unanswered. She did not have the courage to openly doubt Marcus Horatius Justinus' judgement and demand to know why; she did not have the right either. As her father, he knew best even if he didn't - such was the way of the world. Maybe one day he would put into practice the old adagio of in vino veritas and share his reasons... Maybe. The grape in her mouth turned bitter, but was forced down with a smile.
   Pater seemed to find her suggested topic an agreeable one. "It takes wisdom to appreciate the wisdom of others. It's reassuring to know our ruler is surrounded by capable men and inclined to heed their advice." The last few words came out harsher than originally intended, evidence of the persistent irritation that followed mentions of her sister and her husband's perfect lives. "I hope Aulus lives up to expectations during his term. It would be terribly embarrassing for us if he failed to serve the emperor and the people of Rome to the standard they deserve." Oh, her brother-in-law would do a good job and give Horatia cause to gloat all she wanted; Livia could only imagine how much more stuck-up those two would be come same time next year.
   News, yes - any news would suffice, so long as it kept the focus away from her. "No, I suppose she was not," Livia smirked as she shuffled in her seat, the wry smile turning into a broader and more authentic one at the affectionate pinch. For a moment she regretted her sister was not there to witness the gesture that would likely have made her even less chirpy. "Ah, of course. Titus is what, fifteen? Sixteen this year? What an eventful year this is turning out to be for them!" She raised her cup to her lips, downing half of its contents before imitating Marcus and making for the cheese. "I wonder if they're already considering potential matches for Calpurnia." In a seldom display of ill-disguised malice, Livia added with feigned enthusiasm, "Pater, you must share your impressions of those men with them! You raised two daughters, they should find your experience valuable." Wasn't that the hallmark of a young woman from a respectable family, married off to some intolerable old fart that was closer in age to her father or grandfather than to herself?
   The question - not unexpected but no less unpleasant for it - had Livia staring morosely into her cup. The temptation to come clean and tell her father all about Secundus' horrid plan was there, poking at her with deceptive fingers. If she gave in, what would Marcus do? Console her for being forced to participate in the scheme? Chastise her for failing to give her husband a legitimate heir? Deceit won out, as it inevitably would, but there was no need to fake the hurt in her voice when she spoke. "I would love nothing more than prove you right, Pater. We have been trying, rest assured, but..." Livia raised her gaze from the cup to Marcus' expectant face. "... What if it's not the gods' will? I have been pregnant twice, but my husband has no known children. What if it's not in the gods' designs that he should be the one to further the family line?"
   Before the whole disaster that had upended her life months earlier, Livia had considered the possibility a few times in the safety of her mind. Could divorces been granted on account of infertility on the husband's part? She knew the reverse was not uncommon, and had even hoped for some time that Secundus would exhaust his barely-existent patience and return her to her father's house. But perhaps the seed of an idea could be planted on Marcus' mind and, some time after the current state of affairs had come to a conclusion, even bear fruit? She lowered her head, pretending to be ashamed of voicing such thoughts. "Many men remain vigorous even in their later years, I'm aware of that, and father children with their young wives. I know I'm hardly young anymore, but..." The segue hung in the silence. What if it's his fault?
   @locutus-sum
   
3. 

   Here Goes Nothing

   July 24

   Funny how a dinner party with this many attendees could be more glacial than court proceedings (or so Livia imagined; she had never witnessed any). Between Sergia's belated recognition of their host's somewhat clumsy flirting, Secundus' obliviousness to anything beyond his own thoughts and Teutus' quietude, she very much felt like she was alone in bailing water out of this sinking ship. She nodded absentmindedly at her niece's reply, taking frequent sips from her cup. "Tibur is very peaceful," she interjected during a lull in the conversation, more to make it seem like she was following it than out of actual interest.
   Help came in the form of Tertius, the gods bless him, and Livia gave her brother-in-law an appreciative smile before joining in with her own remarks - that hopefully Sergia would segue into some witty sentence or two. "I imagine your home would be even nicer with the pitter-patter of small feet bounding about." She shot Sergia a quick and pointed look as if to signal this reaction was something to pay close attention to, then carried on with a flourish. "Tertius, surely senator Longinus has a villa by the sea like most of us!" Livia let out a dainty, short-lived laugh before bringing the cup to her lips again. Was Lucius Cassius Longinus an unrepenting urbanite or did he favour rural retreats? For the other woman's sake she hoped it was the former, because the latter, as they very well knew, was so boring as to be tear-inducing.
   A peaceful prison, really. Or could have been, if Secundus did not ruin the bucolic setting with his presence.
   @Sara @Járnviðr @Sharpie @Atrice
   
4. 

   Let's play pretend

   July 10

   Disaster averted - or so it seemed for the time being. The embrace did not last too long, and Livia let out a breath she had not realised she had been holding. The red-haired slave, having learnt his lesson, was quick to offer her a full goblet as soon as both patricians were seated. She let go of her father's hands and examined him surreptitiously as she sipped at her wine. He seemed well - somewhat entertained, even - and not too worn out by the trip. A good starting point, and it was up to her to keep him in a good mood throughout his visit.
   It was also up to her to keep herself in a passable mood. Her father's brief summary of news from the capital did not help matters, but Livia forced herself to remain cheerful. "With the weather getting hotter, everybody will soon leave for their villas around Neapolis, and then you can thank Apollo for making life even slower!" A childish joke, and she was quick to disguise her laughter behind her goblet in case Marcus found it too childish. 
   "Oh yes, very peaceful!" Livia smiled a little too wide. Much too peaceful indeed; deathly boring would have been a better description. "It's not as unbearable as Rome on hot summer days, and if it ever becomes too much there is a stream at the edge of the property. It's very pleasant for swimming or even just resting." It had once come in handy for other things too, but those were in the past, fading beyond the veil of nostalgia. "It's not as stinky as Rome either," she added with a mischievous giggle before taking another sip of her drink. "But it's just as you say, pater. I am no longer a little girl, nor a newlywed. Time passes by in the blink of an eye," she commented, raising her eyes to see the bronze-skinned boy come bearing a large platter full of juicy grapes and various cheeses. He set it down in front of them and quietly retreated, presumably to fetch more food.
   She plucked three grapes the size of eyeballs and popped them into her mouth in quick succession, gesturing at Marcus to help himself as she swallowed. "It is three years this year since my husband and I married." Three years of Hades above ground, only made bearable by the companion that had so selfishly been taken from her. Livia stifled a sigh and raised her cup for a toast instead. "And it is the first year of our new emperor's reign. May he always be in good health." An imperious look at the ginger slave saw him refilling both drinks in a heartbeat and slinking back into his place against the wall.
   "Are you finding it difficult to 'establish your relationship' with him? Does his youth make him unreasonable?" Livia smiled again with a hint of girlish malice. In all actuality she had no interest in new or old imperial doings, but establishing her father as the wise and more experienced party versus a young man's boldness and enthusiasm miht please him.
   @locutus-sum
   
5. 

   Let's play pretend

   July 5

   The fateful day had come. The day when Livia had run out of excuses to politely refuse a visit from her father and was forced to accede to his request. Her hand had shaken as she wrote the reply the previous week; her whole body trembled now as though she had a fever despite the summer heat, making it nigh impossible to put on her pearl earrings. Standing a few feet away, Ursa merely stared at her feet, having already been subject to two verbal lashings: the first for not rushing to help straight away and the second for being so infuriatingly inept at it that Livia was better off doing it herself. Aglaea's soothing manners were sorely missed, but Livia could not let her father or any of his retinue catch glimpse of her body slave, and so young Ursa was forced to take on the mantle - and, unfortunately for her, was not performing to her mistress's standards.
   As the damned second earring finally went in, a bronze-skinned youth came into the room and murmured that her father had arrived and was being shown in. An quick expletive escaped Livia and she hastened to the atrium, smoothing the sides of her loose-fitting, rather drab brown stola and adjusting her honey-coloured palla so that it too was loosely draped over her figure. Behind her, Ursa followed with anxious steps, already preparing herself to be blamed for a treacherous brooch sliding off or a similar occurrence.
   The atrium came into view and with it the silhouette of Marcus Horatius Justinus. "Pater!" Some of the elation in Livia's voice was genuine, and she used it to cover the uneasiness that lay beneath. She held her hands out to him, silently hoping he would be content to take them in his rather than draw her into a hug. "I trust you had a safe journey?" A sharp glance at a red-haired slave spurred the poor soul to action, and within seconds he was generously filling a goblet with wine and handing it to their esteemed guest. If there was one thing Secundus was right about was that their slaves were sorely lacking in discipline!
   "You must tell me all the news from Rome! It always takes so long to get here," Livia complained as she motioned for them to move to the sofas, fully assuming the role of the spoil younger daughter that she was so adept at playing.
   @locutus-sum
   
6. 

   Here Goes Nothing

   June 23

   Not for the first time Livia wished her skin could be made of fire to burn her husband's hands; since it wasn't, she powered through the thankfully brief touch, managing to unfreeze a heartbeat later. Why on earth Secundus elected to only occasionally remember he had manners eluded her, but since he was now exercising them for all to see, she would have to play along and select a seat; the choice fell on a spot further away from their host, so that the men might sit closer together and discuss what they had come here to discuss without having their authority passively questioned by placement. A quick exchange of looks and a barely-visible nod to Sergia that she should do as her uncle suggested, and all were comfortably seated instants later - even Teutus, who turned out to just be fashionably late instead of a no-show like Livia had assumed. "Now now, don't ever let Marcus hear you say that," she teased, playfully touching her hand to Secundus' arm as if the gesture would stay his tongue and drawing it back two seconds later as she smiled over at Teutus. "How lovely that you came too!"
   She was not as skilled in the ways of seduction as that tart Secundus had brought into their domus some time before - nor ought she, in her role as respectable matron from a good family and sister-in-law to one of the esteemed consuls - but here was a good opportunity to demonstrate to Sergia how to draw and keep a man's interest at least for one evening... and provide some insight as to what tickled Longinus' fancies whilst she was at it. Witty conversation? Innuendo? A demure and obedient woman? Regardless of what it ended up being, hopefully Sergia would pick up on it and adapt her own demeanour. Livia reached for her wine and took a sip, savouring its sweet taste. "Oh, this is excellent! Is it Caecuban? My father is quite fond of it," - a little too much - "and rates it above Falernian even. I'm afraid I'm not as adept as him in telling the difference," she giggled with deliberate obliviousness as she put down the glass, inwardly not giving a fig as to the wine's provenience. If it was made from grapes from Longinus' own property, he would be pleased; if he had bought it from someone and was now being congratuled on his choice, he would be pleased. 
   "Indeed," Livia agreed with Tertius, dipping her head. "That is an issue this family have not experienced, praise the gods. My sister-in-law Quinctilia has Sergia and Marcus," she shot a warm look at the younger woman, "-Tertius has Teutus here and little Antonia," (and a baby boy by a slave, but no need to mention him) "-and we are working on it," she concluded in fake cheeriness with a flash of a smile at Secundus, hoping her little exposition was enough to get the wheels in Longinus' head turning with regards to possible fertility. All men wanted a son, that was what it inevitably boiled down to, and before she started seething again at the situation Secundus had put her and Aglaea in, Livia smoothed an inexistent wrinkle by her knee and took another sip of her drink.
   @Sara @Járnviðr @Sharpie @Atrice
   
7. 

   Here Goes Nothing

   June 18

   Livia's immediate reaction at being told of this party had been to rein in an eyeroll. Trust her insufferable husband to go round arranging get-togethers when they had agreed she should be keeping a very low profile away from Rome - and all thanks to his appalling scheme, no less. Common sense prevailed soon afterwards, however, and she was forced to acknowledge that it was indeed high time Secundus got serious about finding his niece a husband and that squandering this opportunity would reflect very badly upon him, and her by association, and upon poor Sergia the most through no fault of her own.
   She played her part by attempting to put Sergia a little more at ease whilst on their way to dinner, quietly extolling the purported virtues of this Longinus to the best of her knowledge - good friend of her sister's husband the Consul's, legatus and conqueror of barbarians several times somewhere, wealthy and no squabbling siblings to share the family fortune with. Of the blessings of married life Livia spoke nothing, because she could not draw upon a single example of a blissful event as Secundus' wife.
   The litter reached its destination soon enough and they stepped out, Livia walking behind Secundus in a loose-fitting dark green stola and a flurry of lighter-coloured and soberly decorated shawls as they were welcomed into the domus by a sollicitous slave. Like her husband, she took in the eclectic decor, hoping Longinus' apparently unconventional tastes found a sufficient outlet in showing off his home lest Sergia find herself being asked to put on a pair of antlers and cover her body in dark paint on her wedding night. If the other woman was similarly taken aback, she hid it well. Hearing the drone of Secundus' grating voice, Livia straightened to attention and plastered a convincing smile on her face, surreptiously gesturing at Sergia to do the same. "Greetings, senator Longinus. How very kind of you to invite us to join you for dinner."
   Well. She could add 'handsome in a rogueish way' to the list of portents. 
   Another familiar voice and Livia turned her head to see her brother-in-law. Tertius' presence brought her a small measure of relaxation; she wouldn't be alone in trying to keep Secundus' temper curbed. "Tertius! What a delightful surprise," she beamed, fully aware her husband did not share her opinion and all the more pleased to rile him up for it. Teutus was nowhere in sight - perhaps he had not been invited at all, or had but had elected to pass. Lucky him.
   @Sara @Járnviðr @Atrice
   
8. 

   Join the masquerade

   April 17

   Livia took the silver mirror without a word and brought it up to her face, craning her neck this and that way to catch a better glimpse of the string of pearls about it. Aglaea would surely be proven right: it wasn't every day that your husband was made consul, so the party's guest list was bound to extend all the way to Syria and feature the crème de la crème of Roman society. "Be sure to give her some pointers on how not to embarrass me. I don't want her making merry with the other slaves and forgetting herself."
   She put the mirror down, ready to hand it back to Aglaea, when the body slave's outburst made her stop and tighten her grasp around the handle; her fingernails dug half-moons into the fleshy heel of her hand. The tears threatening to spill from Aglaea's dark eyes made Livia's lip quivered, and she clamped down on it hard to stop it, a metallic taste reaching her tongue as the thin skin broke. She dipped her head, turning her gaze away - she couldn't take it. After a long pause, Livia opened her mouth. "So do I," she admitted, voice barely above a whisper, still not bold enough to brave eye contact again. "You are more of a sister to me than Horatia ever will be." Wetness was beginning to pool at the corners of her eyes, and she wiped it away hastily with the back of her hand. "But we can't turn back time, can we? Not even the gods can!" Her tone was louder now, shriller. " 'Before' is gone forever... You're going to have my husband's baby, how can things go back to the way they were after this?" Livia shook her head helplessly, having given up on fighting back tears.
   It was all Secundus' fault.
   If not for him, things would not have changed in the first place.
   Why was he the one coming out of this mess that he had created unscathed?
   The teardrops that spilled down Livia's cheeks were hot with rage.
   @Echo
   
9. 

   Celebrations, Confidences, and Confessions

   March 28

   The corners of Livia's mouth drooped downwards in an unmistakable expression of displeasure. No, Secundus was no connoisseur of music and that was something she knew well - the most talented artists would sound like elephants to his hopelessly rustic ears. "I would like to judge her musical talent, but I do not wish to embarrass her in front of everybody by accidentally selecting a piece that is above her skill level," she drawled as if explaining things to a stubborn child. Why was it so hard for him to be agreeable for once in his life? Livia cast him a look of disdain before continuing. "After all, it would reflect poorly on you as host if you happened to have selected a subpar musician to entertain our guests..." She let her words hang in the air, looking about in a pretence of concern that someone might have heard her. It would only be too fitting for all these people to know what Secundus really thought of them!
   "But very well." She took a sip of her wine and turned to Vibia, at the same time signalling to a slave for a refill. "How about hearing the Carmen Saeculare in the sweet tones of your cithara? I don't suppose you sing as well...?" The cup of wine grew heavier on her hand again and Livia quickly brought it to her lips as the slave retreated, drinking as though every gulp bought her a little more patience (and was she in need of it!). "Does she, Secundus? Or is she more skilled with her hands?"
   @Sara @Járnviðr
   
10. 

    Celebrations, Confidences, and Confessions

    March 7

    How curious. Secundus was cruel, and he was selfish - and Livia knew that these were sides of him he did not save for her alone, for he acted the same towards his brother and sister and on occasion showed his clients glimpses of what lay beyond the cracked façade he put on. Either he did not show it to Vibia (but could a tiger ever really hide its stripes?), or she was attempting to paint him in a positive light, most likely after he had left a few more coins in her purse.
    "Oh no, you mistake my intentions," she deflected with a carefree gesture, causing the wine inside her cup to slosh and threaten to spill. "I was merely interested in your opinion of my husband, that is all." What an annoying woman with that unnaturally coloured hair that she insisted on tossing this and that way at every opportunity; a wig bathed in lime, surely. "Is that not what a dutiful wife does? Concern herself with her husband's reputation, even amongst the lower classes?" She cast a look in Secundus' direction, frosty smile on her lips to lampshade the loving matron she was supposed to be. Finances weren't much her arena, true, but she would not see her husband squander her father's money in lowly prostitutes; he could use his own funds for that.
    And now to be treated to a serenade, Juno have mercy on her. How was she to know what pieces were in this wench's repertoire? Livia waved Secundus over, hoping for once he would have a suggestion. "I am not as devoid of worries and sorrows as you are," she muttered to Vibia in the meantime. Empty-headed, she would rather have said, but reading between the lines would have to be enough. "My smile is not something available to all who would see it. I keep it for those who deserve it," Livia concluded before diverting her attention entirely to her loathsome husband.
    "Darling, you have heard Vibia play before. What piece would you say she excels at?"
    @Járnviðr @Sara
    

Topics I Participated In

1. 

   Let's play pretend

   Started by Livia Justina · July 5

   The fateful day had come. The day when Livia had run out of excuses to politely refuse a visit from her father and was forced to accede to his request. Her hand had shaken as she wrote the reply the previous week; her whole body trembled now as though she had a fever despite the summer heat, making it nigh impossible to put on her pearl earrings. Standing a few feet away, Ursa merely stared at her feet, having already been subject to two verbal lashings: the first for not rushing to help straight away and the second for being so infuriatingly inept at it that Livia was better off doing it herself. Aglaea's soothing manners were sorely missed, but Livia could not let her father or any of his retinue catch glimpse of her body slave, and so young Ursa was forced to take on the mantle - and, unfortunately for her, was not performing to her mistress's standards.
   As the damned second earring finally went in, a bronze-skinned youth came into the room and murmured that her father had arrived and was being shown in. An quick expletive escaped Livia and she hastened to the atrium, smoothing the sides of her loose-fitting, rather drab brown stola and adjusting her honey-coloured palla so that it too was loosely draped over her figure. Behind her, Ursa followed with anxious steps, already preparing herself to be blamed for a treacherous brooch sliding off or a similar occurrence.
   The atrium came into view and with it the silhouette of Marcus Horatius Justinus. "Pater!" Some of the elation in Livia's voice was genuine, and she used it to cover the uneasiness that lay beneath. She held her hands out to him, silently hoping he would be content to take them in his rather than draw her into a hug. "I trust you had a safe journey?" A sharp glance at a red-haired slave spurred the poor soul to action, and within seconds he was generously filling a goblet with wine and handing it to their esteemed guest. If there was one thing Secundus was right about was that their slaves were sorely lacking in discipline!
   "You must tell me all the news from Rome! It always takes so long to get here," Livia complained as she motioned for them to move to the sofas, fully assuming the role of the spoil younger daughter that she was so adept at playing.
   @locutus-sum
   
2. 

   Here Goes Nothing

   Started by Lucius Cassius Longinus · June 13

   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... 
   
3. 

   Join the masquerade

   Started by Livia Justina · January 31

   Early January, 76 AD - at the villa in Tibur
    
   Livia read the missive once more, although by now she knew the words in it by heart. She should have been happy for her brother-in-law for attaining such a prestigious position, but all she saw at the moment was the sanctimonious Horatia gloating yet again at how perfect her life was. Wife to a consul! That was something Livia would never be; Gnaeus' flame had been snuffed out far too early, and the thought of Secundus even dreaming of it sent her into a fit of disdainful giggles.
   As much as she wanted to refuse the invitation, she knew it was an impossibility. To be absent would be not only insulting but proof of bitterness and envy, and whilst she did feel that way, Livia had to keep up appearances. She put down the letter with a grunt of annoyance and went to her room, mentally going over the clothes she possessed that could fit such an occasion. It would have to be appropriate in all respects... and in order to be as accurate as possible, she would need a model.
   "Aglaea!" she called out, already rifling through a few stolas. The dark green one always complimented her eyes nicely, but Livia wasn't sure there was enough fabric to make the folds have the desired appearance. At the sound of her body slave's steps, she turned round with the green stola in hand and held it out at Aglaea, pointedly averting her gaze from the slave's waist; just because she had mostly come to terms with things, it didn't make them a less touchy topic. "You must try this on. My sister has invited us to dinner later this month."
   @Echo
   
4. 

   Celebrations, Confidences, and Confessions

   Started by Secundus Quinctilius Varus · October 8, 2020

   In honor of the Volturnalia, Secundus had joined in the day’s public festivities. Senators were expected to make appearances at these things; they represented most of a man’s religious life, so he performed the necessary civic duties. However, this year, he most looked forward to the night’s festivities. Secundus had been planning this party for many days now. Several of the men of the senate had been invited to join in. It would be a night of feasting, drinking, games, and music.
   
   Livia, as usual, had taken no interest in helping him plan the occasion. She considered any time spent with him wasted time. Secundus did not mind that. It made his plan easier. He could arrange for Vibia to perform as the night’s entertainment without it rising to his wife’s notice any sooner than the party itself. Although he only planned her to use her skills with the cithara, if any of the other guests took her up on another offer, he had not intention to stop them.
   
   Secundus hoped that Livia would guess what Vibia was. He imagined her affronted expression vividly as he supervised his slaves’ preparations. He wanted to provoke a reaction from her- something other than the meek, mouselike behavior of recent months. For someone so bitter and angry, she insisted on remaining dormant. Perhaps she was waiting for him to show weakness. He would force her to play her hand first.
   
   As the day’s festivities began to come to close, Secundus watched as the household finished its preparations. The party would begin soon; if everything went as planned, Vibia would be the first to arrive, with senators filing in very shortly after. Livia, who had been in her room all day, would likely want to be ready to greet their guests. He told one of the slaves to go fetch her- no need to disturb her mood before she’d had a chance to meet their guest of honor
   @Liv
   
   @Sara
   
5. 

   Sibling Solitude

   Started by Horatia Justina · October 6, 2020

   April, 74AD
   Horatia ducked out of the litter and couldn't quite wipe the smile from her lips. Four years! Time had passed slowly in Rome, it seemed. Nothing much had changed during her time in Raetia, the streets were the same cluttered mass of plebs, the smells and sounds just as claustrophobic and even the people! Her in-laws had barely aged, it seemed and nor had her father - from whom she'd just departed. Besides some redness across his cheeks - a tell tale flush of too much wine, he had been as alert and astute as always; prying into her life as a father always did. Or at least, as her father always did. 
   But now it was time for an altogether less formal reunion (she hoped). She'd written to Livia to ask her to meet her at their brother Publius' domus. Their letters had become more infrequent to one another during the years, especially since the news of Gnaeus' passing and her remarriage and Horatia - ever practically minded - thought she'd assuage some of the awkwardness by having Publius there. Besides, she had missed her brother dearly and her nieces and nephews. 
   She was admitted almost immediately and blinked into the darkness of the atrium, smoothing out her stola and dropping the palla from her hair. She heard footsteps approaching and looked up to see her brother. Formality (usually the backbone of her life!) be damned, and she grinned, stepping forward to embrace him in a sisterly hug. "Publius!" 
    
   TAG: @Echo @Liv
   
6. 

   Any Four Walls Are a Prison [M - V]

   Started by Aglaea · September 21, 2020

   Late September, 75CE 
   Aglaea groaned softly as she leaned over the bucket, seated on the floor of her room adjacent to Livia's bedroom. Ever an early riser, for a few days now, the woman had been woken up in the mornings with horrible nausea, yet unable to get anything up. It was a most perplexing ailment, as it seemed to disappear after a while of its own volition. Surely, the cook was doing something wrong, and Aglaea resolved to go and give her a piece of her mind. Just as soon as she was able to rise from the floor. 
   Life recently had been nothing but chaotic - actually, it had been chaotic ever since Secundus had come into their lives. The man sowed chaos wherever he went, frightening Livia and bullying the house staff, mumbling to himself and forcing Aglaea into the position of protecting her mistress from laying with him. Aglaea had soon decided that she would lay with Secundus and yet protect herself at the same time. Like many Roman women, Livia took silphium in order to prevent pregnancy, and like any good body slave, Aglaea was responsible for retrieving the tincture from the apothecary whenever they ran out. But unlike a good body slave, Aglaea took a small amount every time she saw Secundus, hoping with her limited knowledge of the substance that it would be enough to stop pregnancy and all the symptoms that came with it. 
   Her head shot up from the bucket with wide eyes. It couldn't be... but what else? No sickness from food showed itself with nausea without vomiting. And now that she thought of it, she was a few days late for her monthly cycle. Oh, God. With the sudden realization hitting her like an enormous weight, she stayed stock still for several seconds, before burying her head in her hands, weeping quietly in despair and misery. How could she ever explain this to her mistress? And what would happen to the child once it was born? How would Secundus react? Would Livia send her away and refuse to ever see her again? And how could Aglaea blame her for that if she did? It seemed a horrible betrayal without context. 
   She had done everything she knew to do to prevent herself from bearing Secundus's child. She couldn't bring a child into this household with a clear conscience, knowing what sort of father he or she would have. And the consequences this would have for her relationship with Livia, her nearest and dearest friend... her heart broke. 
   In time, the tears subsided and she began to think logically. She just wouldn't tell Livia. She could wear a tunic that flowed more to hide her bump, maybe bind the bump with cloth to limit the appearance. And then, when her time came, she could slip out of the house, have her baby somewhere safe, and then return to act like nothing would happen. Perhaps she could even leave the child on the doorstep and pretend as though it was a foundling - those were common enough in Rome. Wiping her eyes clear, and feeling the despair and nausea subside, she dressed for the day. She could act as though nothing had happened. She had lied before. 
   Once dressed, she slipped into Livia's room to help her dress. The day had to go on. 
   Title inspiration
   @Liv @Járnviðr
   
7. 

   Confession Time

   Started by Echo · August 15, 2020

   May, 75CE - After The Crush of the Crowd
   Even after Aglaea's enjoyable conversation with Rufus, it was time to return home and tell Livia what had happened. The slave wasn't really afraid that Livia would be angry, and she was sure that between the two of them, they could smooth it over with Secundus, if he even found out. But Aglaea was still kicking herself. How could she have been so stupid? She'd been in Rome for fourteen years and never been pickpocketed - and now, the one day she doesn't tie her coin purse on tightly enough, someone in the crowd took advantage of her oversight. And now she had to confess. 
   Aglaea took the back entrance into the domus, greeting a few friends in the kitchen before seeking out her mistress and finding her in the master bedroom. "Livia - could I speak with you for a moment?" She seemed alone, so she figured it was safe. "You sent me shopping this morning... I got what you asked for but I... I lost the rest of the coin." She bit her lip, trying to judge the woman's reaction. "It wasn't a lot of money, but... I figured you should know."
   @Liv @Járnviðr
   
8. 

   Family Values

   Started by Guest · May 7, 2020

   June 75CE
   Near to the Domus Calpurnius Praetextatus
   Titus sat on an uncomfortable stool under a tattered canvas awning strung up from poles outside a grubby popina. The long Gallic cloak he was wearing to cover his dress uniform itched and was uncomfortably hot in the heat. A chipped wooden bowl of rancid stew sat untouched in front of him. A few measly bits of grizzle floated in a slick mass of fat and rough-cut vegetables. The popina stood on a crowded road which ran along one of the sides of the house of Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus and family. A tall insula stood before him. The shops at the lowest level hummed with activity.
   A basket maker sung in a foreign language as he worked, oblivious to the world around him. Several doors down a jet black Nubian hammered with a tink, tink, tink on an array of tiny metal bowls with a small hammer. His wife lounged idly at the counter, day-dreaming as pedestrians rushed by, none giving their shop a second glance. A gaggle of children ran whooping down the street, lacing in and out of the crowd, chasing two yapping dogs and being sworn at it the process by people forced out of the way. A gang of porters hulked along, pushing the throng aside as they lugged great amphorae which looked big enough to crush a man. Several stories up a woman was watering flower boxes sat precariously on a cracking wooden window-sill. Two stories higher still there poked out the head of an old man, simply watching the world pass by. The aroma of baked bread drifted out of a bakery close by. The repetitive sound of a lathe scraping against wood came from a coffin-makers. His wears were stacked up, gaping invitingly. "Fastidius Dexter, finest oils! Fastidius Dexter, lowest prices!" cried a balding, heavily sweating man, his thumbs hooked into a belt that looked about to burst on a distended stomach. Somewhere overhead a baby wailed and he heard the voices of a man and a woman arguing in thick, guttural Germanic tongues. Two cork-screw curled Hebrews browsed the wares of a leatherworker who eyed them with distrust.
   He was growing tired of waiting now. He had come out this morning on the intelligence of a man he had sent to Tibur to keep an eye on persons of interest there. The day before a short note had arrived stating that the woman he sought was travelling to Rome to visit her family. It was not yet clear whether she would stay in her marital home or with her sister. Appreciating that a chance such as this might not appear again, he had set in motion plans to make her acquaintance.
   He looked up, peering through the seething mass of pedestrians in the street. Stood in the doorway of the communal entrance of the insula opposite was Valens, disguised as a vagrant and keeping a careful watch on the entrance of the Praetextatus house. Titus was - when he thought about it - oddly nervous. Once he had found out that she had a sister, he had been dying to see her. Did she look like her? A younger version? Could there be two of her? The thoughts had swirled in his mind, lighting up like flashes in the darkness of the night. What was this one like? The vision of her when she was younger pleased him. Immensely.
   The question arose as to how to deal with her. She could not be grabbed and taken aside like he had with Felix or Callista. If his information was correct, then this woman was the wife of a senator and, of course, being of that rank herself was inviolate without proper cause. He had concocted a more convoluted plan instead.
   Oh, what time he was investing in this! It was fortunate that Alexander Augustus ran a quiet ship which gave his Guards plenty of time to indulge in frolics of their own. He could not imagine the Praetorians in the days of Claudius or Tiberius had been twiddling their thumbs to such an extent. Peace was great for the Empire but stability and calm did not work so well for the Guard who thrived - no, needed - a bit of turmoil in order to function. So, in many ways, he could pass off his current activities as merely being a symptom of a wider ill.
   A little further away, where the street was wider and the traffic allowed for easier access, were stationed several layabouts that Valens had rounded up in the docks. They had willingly taken coin to perform a simple job. When the woman emerged, presumably on her way home or elsewhere, he and Valens would shadow her. When she reached the appropriate place, and on a pre-arranged signal, the men were to pretend to accost her, or her litter, depending on how she was travelling, in the manner of brazen smash and grab muggers - a sadly all too current occurrence even in these peaceful days. Thankfully for the young woman he and Valens would be on hand to come to the rescue.
   He wondered how she might look when she was scared.
   Even with the noise of the street he still heard Valen's whistle cut through clearly. He snapped out of his reverie and looked across at him. The centurion flicked his head, indicating that there was movement. It was time to find out.
   @Liv
   
9. 

   An awkward call

   Started by Liv · April 26, 2020

   April, 75 AD - same day as 'First introductions'
    
   Livia had begged and pleaded for days and finally her efforts had borne fruit. To think she would have had to grovel in order to be granted permission to visit her only sister, whom she had not seen in months. Yet here she was, blessedly free of Secundus thanks to his asocial ways ('I can't possibly go with you to see your sister, I know she and her husband laugh at me behind my back!'), if only for a few hours.
   With Aglaea dismissed on charitable grounds of 'go and enjoy yourself', Livia felt oddly uncomfortable, almost as if she were naked. Even in an environment that was anything but hostile, her unease only showed how dependent on her body slave she had grown, in spite of the fact that her older sister was sitting just a few feet away.
   Now that small gifts and platitudes had been exchanged, Livia was at a loss for words. Had she really wanted to see Horatia after long weeks of nary a word, or had it all just been a convenient excuse to get away after all? She stared at Horatia with a meek yet somewhat fearful expression, hands folded in her lap. What should they talk about?
   "So... how was your winter?"
   @Sara
   
10. 

    Drowning sorrows

    Started by Liv · April 24, 2020

    April, 75 AD
     
    Over the last two years Livia had become remarkably good at finding opportunities for slipping away and savouring the short moments of freedom she could find. That morning, one such opportunity presented itself, when Secundus had finally gone to bed in the wee hours of the morning after spending most of the night going on drunken tirades. If previous times were anything to go by, he wouldn't rise before noon, which gave Livia a few hours of blessedly alone free time.
    She sneaked out of her room and almost immediately came across Aglaea, as she expected to be the case. "There you are!" Livia exclaimed with unusual yet somewhat contained excitement. "Have the kitchen slaves prepare us a hamper, we're eating outside today. I want to go for a swim."
    Her swimming spot was nothing more than a stream that ran through the property and had the unfortunate tendency of drying in particularly hot summer weeks, but it almost felt like a world away. Secundus didn't approve of her doing so: the slaves or a traveller passing by could get an eyeful, and decent Roman matrons didn't do such things. But she wasn't a decent Roman matron any more than he was a decent Roman man, so that made them even in her mind.
    "Oh, and bring a change of clothes for us both." Even if Aglaea ended up not joining her in the water, Livia could use them to dry off.
     
    @Echo
    

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