

Charis
Slaves-
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Player
Sara
About Charis
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Slave of Tertius Quinctilius Varus
Custom Fields
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Face Claim
Alexandra Dowling
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Location
Rome
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Face Claim
Alexandra Dowling -
Location
Rome
Recent Posts
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Peregrinus was against her chest, tied to her with a piece of fabric wound over him and around her back, finishing with a knot at her waist. The six month old boy seemed unperturbed by it, and it had the benefit of keeping her hands free - something she sorely needed. In one hand she carried a rough woven sack filled with blankets and cloth for Peregrinus, and in another bag slung over her shoulder she carried a spare tunica for herself, what little food she'd been able to swipe and a wineskin filled with water. She was shrouded in a cloak, but besides that and the bags she carried and her son, that was all she had in the world. She bit back bile at the thought.
It was late, or was it early? Somewhere after midnight, either way, but the streets of Rome were full of laughter and merriment of some festival that Charis had never learned the name of. She looked a little out of place; child strapped to her body and lugging her bags, but the city was full of unusual sights and most people paid her little heed. She drew to the appointed spot, at the gate leading out to the via Flaminia. What are you doing. Cynane wasn't here, she should be here by now, shouldn't she? Charis was sure she was already late and her courage was failing her. She shouldn't have done this, she shouldn't even be thinking about it - she was positive that even the thought of escape warranted crucifixion. She felt the bile rise in her throat again and fought the urge to be ill. Hold your nerve.
This hadn't been planned for long, only a matter of weeks ago she had been contented enough in her life - Peregrinus was growing, strong and healthy and things with Tertius were a little less awkward and then she had met with Cynane and it had all unravelled. The thought of trying to do this, be here, forever without her friend - who was so determined to leave and forge her way back to Britannia...Charis could have cried - and she was not a cryer by nature! The image of her son, growing up free and happy and healthy in the wilds and forests and fields of her homeland, away from his fathers pervasive, insidious influence, with her - and not just her as a slave, her as a free woman and his mother...it was too much for her to refuse. She had agreed, and now here she stood. But the nagging doubt did not escape her and the longer she waited in silence, alone, the more she wanted to turn on her heel and make haste back to the domus. Where are you Cynane.
TAG: @Atrice
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Charis, forgetting herself, did as she was bidden and wrapped her legs around his hips. The sensation was unlike anything she'd experienced before. Her husband had never given her pleasure - a fact Tertius seemed to revel in when he had those few times he'd made an effort, but even then the sense of guilt and shame that she'd enjoyed it had overridden any sense of ecstasy. With Alexius, it was uncomplicated and it took her breath away.
When he entered her she couldn't help herself and arched up against him, a moan breaking from her lips as she buried her face in the curve of his neck. She felt like she was drowning in something, but it felt excellent. The fact that he seemed intent on being gentle, on being kind to her only increased the emotional and physical pressure she felt. A few errant tears escaped the corners of her eyes and slid down her face - getting lost in her hair. This is what she had been missing out on.
As she opened her eyes she saw him, watching her as his movements steadied and she hurriedly reached up to leave a hasty, desperate kiss against his lips. She didn't want him to stop - she felt an animal-esque desire for him to keep moving, to keep doing what he had done, and it was too much to bare. Breaking the kiss she moved her palms flat against his chest and then attempted to move him to his back so she was atop. She wanted to be in control, but she needed him and she wouldn't let him stop.
TAG: @Atrice
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There was something clipped, irritated, short in the way that Tertius spoke and she merely nodded. She wasn't afraid of him - she'd seen enough of his soft side with their son, and with her in months past, to know he didn't have the tendency to lash out or anything so dramatic. But she did know he was possessive, and about as open as a firmly sealed drawer and one could never be too careful. It wasn't fear that kept her eyes down or words muted, it was wariness. One could never read Tertius!
"Yes domine." She said with a simple nod of her head and a light smile on her face, before turning to Wulfric. "It was a pleasure speaking with you sir." She inclined her head again and hoisted Peregrinus farther up her hip from where he had wriggled down, before walking quietly from the atrium back towards her room. She could sense her sons confusion - this interesting new man had disappeared and now he was cloistered back in a bedroom. For a child so young, he seemed remarkably open to strangers, fascinated by them. Charis set him down on his stomach on the blanket that served as his play mat and sat herself on the edge of the bed. Please don't start crying...
TAG: @Atrice
Charis is out! Let me know if you want her to come back in at any point!
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Charis frowned, trying to follow his words. Peregrinus was special? Of course he was, to Charis at least, but to this man? The silence seemed to swell forever between his words. He is actually my br-. His what? His br-? Charis heard the footsteps and knew from the weight and pace of them (how attuned she'd become!) that it was Tertius. She took a step back and to the side - breaking little Peregrinus' grip on the strangers hand as her dominus spoke.
She replayed his words. His br...his br...his brother? What other word could he possibly say?! Charis managed to keep in the gasp she wanted to let out and instead glanced up at him. Was that why he looked so familiar? Oh Gods.
Realising she hadn't answered Tertius' question she respectfully inclined her head, trying to keep her addled thoughts together. She was far too tired for this. "Yes domine, apologies." She didn't know why she was apologising, but it was always good to - she had learnt. Slaves always did something wrong. "Peregrinus was fussing and I chanced across your guest. I offered him wine, domine." She said, by way of an explanation as if to prove a point that she hadn't just been standing around chit-chatting.
"Would you like me to leave?" She sensed a tension in the air and didn't know why. Maybe because she knew what was coming? She was almost positive that her son would start wailing as soon as she stepped away from the distraction (fascinated as he seemed by both men judging by his wiggling at her hip).
TAG: @Atrice
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Charis' heart swelled as he reached out a hand to hold Peregrinus' tiny little fingers. He'd grown so much since he was a newborn, so much so that she could scarcely believe it, but compared to this man here he was as small as a gnat.
She smiled a little and said it slower; "It is like Kah-ris, I think. My domine told me it was Greek," She shrugged a little. She had been aghast at first that she was to have a new name after living so many years as Erea, but how laughable that was now, to be offended by such a small thing! If only the Charis of then knew what else was in store for her, she wouldn't have put up such a fuss. Besides, it had been easy to get used to - and it was almost nice in a way. By having a new name here in Rome she could be a different person, separate off the good of her life 'before' - that life belonged to Erea, who was now gone. Now she was Charis.
She blinked, surprised as he leaned closer. Was he trying to say that her life here was good? Is that what he meant? She supposed it was true. She had a healthy, happy little son. But that was the extent of her joy, really. "I..." She stumbled. "I suppose, sir." How odd this man was, wanting to talk to her like this! Peregrinus wriggled, as if intrigued by what was happening.
TAG: @Atrice
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She chuckled and adjusted his weight at her side, "He has taken to not sleeping as much as I expected he would...but besides that? Perfection." She smiled to herself, and up to him very briefly before lowering her eyes again. This man was a Prince, and a guest in her masters house. She would be especially respectful. She didn't reply to his assertion that he'd grow up to be a good man. She didn't like to dwell on the future, as much as she didn't enjoy dwelling on the past. Worries over what might be were oftentimes as painful as memories from her old life, and so she stayed quiet and gently rocked the wriggling little one who seemed particularly fascinated by the guest - reaching out an arm to him as if in greeting.
She was about to ask, but he interrupted her. She merely nodded and dipped her head, "It is an honour to have you here, Sir." Was that too much? Even back in Britannia she had no notion of royalty - not like Cynane - she had no idea how to address a Prince! But she did know that her role was a slave, and as such, she should not be too familiar and use his given name. But at his instruction of 'now you', she spoke softly; "Charis." She didn't remember a time when a guest of her masters had asked for her name; usually she just got a flick of the hand to signal for a drink or something, or most often she was just plainly ignored. "My name is Charis, sir."
She swallowed, "Are you sure there is nothing I can get for you?"
TAG: @Atrice
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His accent was unlike any she'd heard before, it wasn't British but it was familiar. It reminded her a little of Alexius - some of the edges of his words always sounded different, and she tried to ignore the blush that crept onto her cheeks when she thought of him. Focus, Erea! She merely nodded politely. Presumably one of the other slaves had gone to fetch Tertius, but he was likely busy doing...whatever it was that occupied his days, she'd never really figured it out - even when working with him in his study.
Charis glanced between her son, wriggling on her hip and the stranger - careful not to meet the letters eyes. She supposed she'd never really discussed with Tertius how their son should be introduced; he was a citizen, a freeborn heir of her master...but he was also her son, and the son of a slave. She could guess which one would take precedence though in his introduction and she nodded minutely; "Yes, yes this is Peregrinus..." She smiled warmly and reached with her spare hand to take his little hand in a mock wave to their guest. It was probably very inappropriate but she could sense from the man's tone and the warmth in his words that he seemed intrigued, even if she couldn't see his smile. "He is the dominus' son," She added for good measure. She wanted to say he was also hers, but didn't dare. She didn't know if she could. She continued with a little nod, "He's just a little over five months now, and yes...very sweet...most of the time." She flashed a warm, cheeky grin.
TAG: @Atrice
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Charis felt exhausted. The problem with children, she now realised, was that they looked ever so sweet and fun from the outside when one didn't have them - but when one did have them, it was something much more complex. She never realised how much she could love before Peregrinus has been born; it was as if her heart had to be painfully broken and then re-mended twice the size to accommodate just how much she loved him. Yet, that love came with the constant feelings of pressure, of tiredness, and frustration. It hadn't been so difficult in the beginning - he had slept most of the days away - but now he was a little over five months old, he was suddenly all energy and the nights...
She had been told by Rhoda it was a sign he was teething - which made sense given how much he wanted to put in his mouth (the rattle he had been given, Antonia's jewellery when she played with him, his little chubby fists...) but she couldn't remember the last time she had slept solidly. Jocasta had moved out of their room (lucky for some!) leaving just Charis and an irritable, overtired baby to settle by herself. Last night was no better and nothing she had tried; nursing, burping, walking him round and round the domus in circles until her feet ached, had settled him. He had fits and starts of sleep - every hour or so for a few moments - until she had given up trying to get any more rest herself and bundled him into his basket to the gardens at just past dawn.
She was irritable and grumpy from a night of broken sleep and in no mood to let Antonia or Tertius for that matter, disturb her son any more or wind him up only for her to have to soothe him and settle him later. She, in retrospect, probably should have taken the morning to try and catch up on some sleep and passed him off to one of the other house girls but she liked to be busy and even in the winter the garden was her solace. The fact that the cold seemed to make her son drowsier was only an additional benefit. She mindlessly worked, weeding out the dead flowers from the beds as Peregrinus contented himself with his rattle in his basket by her feet. It was only his wail of protest that made her glance down at him - studying his face, which seemed to have affected the perfect pout. Despite her bad mood she couldn't help but chuckle and she set down her tools, rinsing her hands in the bowl of water she had by her bare feet.
"Shhh," she intoned as he continued to snuffle, looking irritable, as she wiped her hands dry on the side of her tunica. Reaching into the basket she plucked him up. He didn't feel as if he needed to be changed, nor did he seem interested in a feed. She frowned - she supposed boredom struck at babies as much as adults. She sighed and rocked him on her hip as she padded from the garden back towards her room where a slew of toys were already waiting for him. "Shall we play, hm?" She asked - obviously not expecting an answer. He merely stretched out his arms and grabbed a fistful of her hair in response.
She padded through the domus until she frowned, noticing somebody in the atrium. Oh Gods. How could she have forgotten?! The rumour mill had been swirling for a few days since the mysterious letter had landed in Tertius' tablinum. A Prince was coming to visit. A prince! Here! Nevermind that she didn't know what the Chatti was, it was still a deeply intriguing mystery. Yet, in her tired and irritable state she had completely forgotten that today was the day he was arriving. She stopped in her tracks - Peregrinus still fussing on her slim hip. She couldn't very well fetch him a drink with her son attached to her like this and she glanced around - utterly bewildered by where the other slaves were. She cleared her throat and glanced up at his face very briefly. She was pleasantly surprised - a beard! She swore she hadn't seen one since Britannia! Yet there was something deeply familiar about his eyes, his face that she just couldn't place. Had she met him before?
Glancing back down she said quietly in accented Latin, "I'm sorry Sir, has somebody gone to fetch my Dominus for you? I would fetch you a drink but..." She shifted Peregerinus and offered a small, rueful smile, "My hands are a little full."
TAG: @Atrice
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Charis let out a mewl of pleasure against his lips as he kissed her hard, feeling him press against her body.
It was intoxicating and the sensations, the lust she felt was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. She had never felt she needed somebody, something as much as she did now - not with Immin, not with Tertius. Is this how it was supposed to feel? Sex had always been somewhat of a chore for her. She enjoyed it with her husband, but never reached ecstasy like she knew some women did. With Tertius there were too many complex emotions to make it pleasurable, even on the rare occasions he prioritised her. This...This with Alexius was something, utterly, utterly different. Is this what she'd been missing out on all this time?!
She moved her hand in a steady rhythm around him as he continued the kiss. When he broke it and continued his ministrations between her thighs she felt herself nod, breathlessly agreeing with him - rationality out of the window. "Y-yes, yes I want you now." Because she did. She felt almost a hunger for him, as if she was ravenous and this was all she needed. She moved her hand from his manhood and wrapped it around his neck and shoulders, pulling his body closer to hers and in for a kiss. Maybe when she regained her senses, when they were in a rhythm she would take back control, but all she could do now was help guide him in, feeling an almost desperation for him.
TAG: @Atrice
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Charis let out a sound, somewhere between a mewl and a gasp as his hands and lips and tongue caressed every inch of her. It was a reaction she couldn't control and felt herself flush from the tips of her curled toes to her head at the sensation. No wonder Alexius had legions of adoring fans when he could provoke such intensity in just a few moments. Fortunately for her she couldn't dwell on how many women had lain where she now lay, nor the usually pervasive thoughts of Tertius; Alexius' ministrations were successfully scattering her wits until all she could think about was how it felt and the pleasure of each and every touch.
Her hands snaked around his face until she was unintentionally gripping the back of his head, her fingers working into his hair. Her body arched with his as a hand moved down between her thighs. She gasped and screwed her eyes shut. It might have looked to an observer as if she was in pain, but she was merely wallowing in pleasure. Her breath caught in her throat and almost instinctively she reached a hand down his own body to his manhood. Maybe it was just something she had been taught? That there was no pleasure for women if there wasn't equal, or more intense pleasure for men? Either way, her hand began a steady rhythm as she herself writhed at the motions of Alexius' hand.
TAG: @Atrice
Topics I Participated In
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Peregrinus was against her chest, tied to her with a piece of fabric wound over him and around her back, finishing with a knot at her waist. The six month old boy seemed unperturbed by it, and it had the benefit of keeping her hands free - something she sorely needed. In one hand she carried a rough woven sack filled with blankets and cloth for Peregrinus, and in another bag slung over her shoulder she carried a spare tunica for herself, what little food she'd been able to swipe and a wineskin filled with water. She was shrouded in a cloak, but besides that and the bags she carried and her son, that was all she had in the world. She bit back bile at the thought.
It was late, or was it early? Somewhere after midnight, either way, but the streets of Rome were full of laughter and merriment of some festival that Charis had never learned the name of. She looked a little out of place; child strapped to her body and lugging her bags, but the city was full of unusual sights and most people paid her little heed. She drew to the appointed spot, at the gate leading out to the via Flaminia. What are you doing. Cynane wasn't here, she should be here by now, shouldn't she? Charis was sure she was already late and her courage was failing her. She shouldn't have done this, she shouldn't even be thinking about it - she was positive that even the thought of escape warranted crucifixion. She felt the bile rise in her throat again and fought the urge to be ill. Hold your nerve.
This hadn't been planned for long, only a matter of weeks ago she had been contented enough in her life - Peregrinus was growing, strong and healthy and things with Tertius were a little less awkward and then she had met with Cynane and it had all unravelled. The thought of trying to do this, be here, forever without her friend - who was so determined to leave and forge her way back to Britannia...Charis could have cried - and she was not a cryer by nature! The image of her son, growing up free and happy and healthy in the wilds and forests and fields of her homeland, away from his fathers pervasive, insidious influence, with her - and not just her as a slave, her as a free woman and his mother...it was too much for her to refuse. She had agreed, and now here she stood. But the nagging doubt did not escape her and the longer she waited in silence, alone, the more she wanted to turn on her heel and make haste back to the domus. Where are you Cynane.
TAG: @Atrice
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Everything I Wanted
Started by Wulfric ·
January, 76 AD
Wulfric had been in Rome for months now – 4, to be exact. It had been late in the summer when he had arrived and now it was the winter half of the year. It wasn’t very cold though, he thought. Not compared to the lands he came from. He had not seen a snowflake and he had not seen a single pond or lake with ice on it. So he didn’t consider it very cold at all, although of course colder than when he arrived. He had for a while now known where his father lived. And he’d met his father’s brother a little while back... he had not been too impressed, but that was almost a given, with how Aglaea had described him. By now, Wulfric felt he had done all he could to gather information about his Roman family before he met them.
And now was the day. He had paid a scribe to write a letter to his father, saying that he would come to visit. That he was a prince of the Chatti and that he came with an important message for Tertius… though of course he had not revealed that he was Tertius’ son. Now the planned day had arrived. Wulfric wore the new set of clothes he bought a few months back, an attempt to look at least a little bit civilized to the Romans and his father especially. It was just a tunica, dark green, a pair of short breeches – he was no Roman and wore no toga. He had however a forest green and grey cloak, that his mother had made for him, but he had swung the fabric over the shoulders now, as it was not so cold indoors. He had not gotten rid of the beard, although it had been trimmed. His hair was not cut short and precise, which was the way the Romans seemed to like it. Wulfric was proud of his heritage and was not afraid to show he was a foreigner - but he did want to look nice for today.
After having knocked on the door, he was allowed inside by a slave, into the atrium. He already thought that it looked nicer than his uncle’s home here in Rome. It was tidier and cleaner. In fact the floor was almost shining. Quietly he now stood there, with his hands gathered on his back, waiting to meet his father, finally.
The house was silent to begin with, but suddenly the silence was disturbed by the wail of a small child, maybe even a baby, which surprised him! He had momentarily forgotten that Aglaea mentioned months ago, that his father only recently had another son by a slave. Wulfric around towards the sound and saw a short and pretty woman, a slave judging by her clothes, coming towards the atrium carrying a small child that was squirming a bit in her arms. When she noticed him, he smiled at her and at the child – Wulfric had no wife or children of his own yet, but his oldest sister, Hilda, had two children already and he liked them. It was then he recalled this might be the newborn brother Aglaea told him about. Suddenly, the child was even more interesting and he wanted to say something to her, but suddenly the words were caught on the tip of his otherwise often diplomatic tongue. Instead he was just caught there, watching her, smiling at her.
@Sara
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Just One Night [M]
Started by Charis ·
December 18th, 75AD
Charis did not look as nice as she had when she had left the domus. The walk across the city with its riotous crowds for the second day of Saturnalia, only to be turned away at the door and directed to an insula not a fifteen minute walk from her starting point had left her flustered and tired. Still! She was out, and even with the jostling crowds she felt relaxed.
She had celebrated the first night of the festival in the domus as was traditional with a meal and that awkward role-swap, and she had tried to ignore the feelings of dread it had brought up. She had conceived her son - she was sure of it - exactly a year ago yesterday and she had spent the evening tense and worried that she'd be summoned in for a repeat, but it hadn't happened. Actually, in the past two months - since the midwife had assured her she had healed and was ready for...life (as she so delicately put it) Tertius hadn't called for her. Maybe he had lost interest, since she had his son? She could only hope (perhaps naively). But then again, they were getting on better and he was being kinder. Maybe things were looking up?
Regardless, the night had passed without incident but given it was a days-long festival she had managed to persuade her dominus to let her out for two of the subsequent evenings. The first was to visit 'Aia' and attend a show, the second would be spent with Cynane - two days from now. How or why Tertius was so generous, she didn't know, but she wasn't complaining. After a few sad goodbyes to her son - dozing in Rhoda's arms, she had left the domus and set off into the night - the first time she'd been out alone in months. She'd worn a plain and serviceable tunica but had done her hair in pretty braids with a few loose strands to frame her face. She felt almost entirely like her old safe - tired more easily, but otherwise returned to her figure and moods as before. She felt at peace. And she wanted to celebrate that feeling.
She finally drew to the exterior of the insula, breathless, with flushed cheeks. It had been over two hours since she had initially set off and her throat felt scratchy and dry from lack of drink, and a chill had seeped into her bones (even she could admit Rome got cold in the winter)! Trying to tidy herself up as she climbed up the stairs, her legs feeling like lead, until she finally drew to the door which she was informed, belonged to her friend. She knocked twice and stood back. She swore to the Gods that if he wasn't home after all of this effort...!
TAG: @Atrice
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Transformation
Started by Tertius Quinctilius Varus ·
31st of August, 75AD
It had been 9 days since Charis gave birth to his son. Of course he knew it was a son. Tertius was quite anxious to see the boy, but in this household he was the Pater Familias and he was the one who would decide anything that would happen to the child. So he would do things properly, as you did, as tradition ordered. Which meant he would not see his slave-born son until 9 days after the birth. If the child still lived and appeared healthy, the slave would present the child to the head of the household and Tertius would either pick up the child – setting it free – or not, leaving it to be brought up as a slave. And he would name the child.
Now it was the 9th morning after the birth and today he would finally see his son. Hector had done everything in his power to distract Tertius the night before and he had done everything to attempt to make his master relax, but Tertius had still turned in the bed at night and he’d woken when he ought to sleep. Charis knew nothing of his plans. He had only told Teutus and he trusted that Teutus would not tell anyone.
He nudged Hector when he’d been awake long enough and the slave got up and fetched a basin of fresh water for Tertius. He also fetched a fresh tunica and anything else he knew Tertius would want and Hector did not utter a word. His body slave was probably displeased with the whole situation. He knew that Charis was on Tertius’ mind a lot. He’d been worried since she went into labor and had been happy to hear that both mother and son were alive and well after. The way he lost his wife after Antonia was born… he didn’t want to lose Charis the same way. And she wasn’t even his wife, but… he couldn’t help but wishing he would not lose her. Despite everything, she had to live and be here.
After he got dressed, he sent Hector out to set up a nice breakfast in the triclinium, for himself and for Charis – and then he found a seat in the atrium of the house, because that’s where he had imagined this ceremony would take place. In his hand he held a special amulet for the child. Honestly it didn’t have to be a big deal, when the child was born by a slave and not a wife, and he had not planned it to be. He had sent word to Livia Justinia, Secundus' wife, that a child had been born, but he had not formally invited them. He doubted they would come anyway. It could be a big ceremony, with guests and many family members present, but in this case, with a slave-born child, it would just be the whole household present and Charis presenting the child and Tertius doing what he planned to do. And then it was done. After he’d been sitting there a little while, watching the slaves just do their jobs, he decided it was time and waved the nearest slave over… “Announce that Charis’ child can be presented to me now.” He told the slave, who hurried on to tell Charis and then anyone else at home at the moment, who would witness the ceremony of the newborn child.
It didn’t take long for Antonia to appear by his side, as the first and he gave her a smile and a hug, as she seemed very excited. He had of course informed her that Charis’ child was his, despite Charis not being his wife. He had explained to Antonia that he had been very fond of Charis, so fond of her that at least for a time, he had treated her almost like a wife (but not quite, of course). He didn’t know if Antonia had met her new brother. But he knew he looked forwards to it, no matter what. Slowly many of the house slaves appeared in or near the atrium. Would Teutus show up? He didn't know. All he could do now was wait for Charis and his newest son to appear.
@Sara
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God, Help the Outcasts
Started by Aglaea ·
Late June, 75 CE
What a blessing it was, to be able to leave the house without her mistress on occasion. It only came every so often, usually no more than once a month, but Aglaea savored every minute of it when it did come. Of course, her outings were usually stipulated on her ability to run some errands, like picking up a purchase at the jeweler's or going to the market for the kitchen staff for a random ingredient. Today's final chore was to deliver a package from Livia to her brother-in-law, Tertius's home. Aglaea was unaware of the contents, but she knew Livia had intended it as a gift for either the master of the household or his son, so she knew it was important to be timely.
She approached the house from the back, knowing her place as a slave very well. The door she slipped through seemed to be the culina, which was bustling in order to prepare for the afternoon meal. Aglaea sensed that her best move wouldn't be to disturb the various staff here, so she made her way carefully through the dingy room and toward the main part of the house, looking around for a household servant who could help her deliver her package. Glancing around, she noticed one girl she recognized vaguely, someone she might have met before. "Excuse me-" she approached the girl, who was a bit younger than she was. "It's Charis, isn't it?"
@Sara
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A New Beginning
Started by Sara ·
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
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Exotic finds
Started by Chevi ·
July 75CE
Rome was freaking hot in the summers. Gods above, how did people handle it?... It was a question on theory, obviously, because anyone who could left the city for the summer months, and anyone who stayed probably had no other option. Even Flavia Juliana and her household visited less often these days, preferring the villa to the city, which was sad, honestly, because Aia had a lover in the city, and she was very displeased by how infrequently she got to bang him. Hopefully, this would only be temporary, until they got permission to marry. Then she could bang him all the time.
But right now, he was on duty, and she had some errands to run, errands that took her to the Forum Holitorium for some spiced olive oil and other delicacies. Aia covered her head with her light palla against the sun, and walked slowly along the market stalls, examining produce as she went. This place was stinking much less in the summer than the Forum Boarium close by; in fact the spices and herbs and oils had kind of a nice, if strong, aroma that tickled one's nose. Aia stopped to smell the scents around a spice stall, when she caught sight of a familiar face out of the corner of her eyes...
@Sara
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No Boundaries
Started by Atrice ·
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
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Evening Shade
Started by Echo ·
June, 75CE
Gaius reached his arms up to the sky, stretching the ache out of his back. He had just arrived back to the barracks of the Guard after a grueling shift at the palace, and he was ready for some relaxation. But peace and quiet was hard to come by in a tight space filled with loud, boisterous men, so he had to relocate elsewhere. Luckily, the Gardens of Sullust were nearby the barracks, and they provided the perfect place to get some walking in and perhaps afterward some sitting in the cool evening shade, so, dressed in a simple tunica, he made his ways to the gardens.
The man wasn't particularly charmed by flowers, like most men, he expected. They were nice enough to look at, but weren't good for much else, except perhaps giving to a lady he fancied (if he ever found one). For a while, the man walked around aimlessly by himself, listening to the various nearby sounds. It was nice to be alone, but some company wouldn't be unappreciated.
@Sara
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The Equality of Man [Earthquake]
Started by Atrice ·
30th of June - The Earthquake
It was an early morning… actually, it was barely morning. Everyone in the entire household were asleep, not even the kitchen slaves or those taking care of the heating system were awake yet. Silence roamed the corridors and the chambers and Tertius was also asleep in his room together with Hector, always by his side now – at least when they were in here. In the last week, there had been light tremors to the ground. It had been shaking a few times, or perhaps more rattling, it wasn’t anything big and not something he hadn’t experienced before. To most people in Rome, these things weren’t entirely uncommon.
Tertius had of course made sure to sacrifice to the right gods and to his ancestors too, asked them for help, just in case something should happen. And nothing had happened and all seemed to be fine. Until now…
He woke up with a start, as the bed was shaking much. In fact, everything was shaking! It had been a warm night and he hadn’t cared to put on any clothes after sharing some pleasure with Hector, but now…
“Hector!” He literally shook his body slave’s arm, “Earthquake!” He exclaimed while he heard vases or jars of wine fall off tables and shatter and there was dust in the air from the walls or the roof. Tertius jumped out of the bed. His tunica still lay on the floor and he quickly pulled it over his head while thinking that this was more than just a light tremor! No one in the house would sleep through this, surely!
Tertius ran out of the room, “EVERYONE out into the peristyle!” He yelled. If one of the doorways gave in or the roof, people could die! Hopefully Hector was right behind him, also waking people up, while Tertius ran to Antonia’s room to get her up. And where in the name of Hades was Charis… oh, the child! Gods! Why were they angry?
@Sharpie @Sara @Joaquin
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