Gothic

She wrapped her arm around her older niece and nephew as they shifted out of the way. Claudia placed gentle kisses on either of their foreheads, before her attention turned back to the younger two and smiled. The pair of them were tiny, small and delicate. Her arm remained around Lucilla's shoulders when she snuggled into her, and could not help but smile affectionately at the thought of spending more time with the little ones. It was strange to think at one point that they had all been so helpless to the dangers of the world. Claudia laughed, many of the memories she had from her younger years were hazy and she remembered following both of her older sisters around. Wondering what they were doing and wanting to be involved. Claudia looked down towards Honoria and certainly remembered Honoria's father. He was a good man, distant yet was always kind to them when she encountered him in person. Like little Lucilla, she expected Flavia to connect the names of her family to those of her children and then pondered Saturnina's name. Was it an omen for the future? She smiled down at them. When Tiberius looked at her for confirmation she answered with a nod of agreement. "Both of them have been kind to us. Drusilla has been asking about you and has asked us to bring gifts. She also invites you to come to Rome to visit her yet isn't offended if you do not come." Claudia answered, watched as Tiberius offered the box of protective amulets to ensure both of the babes would be safe. She did not blame Flavia nor cousin Juliana for not wishing to return to the city itself. There were many bad memories for them there that could not be forgotten. @Dev @Sarah

"It would be my honour," He answered, raised his cup to her and had no doubt that one of them would die the next time they met. It was only a matter of time when she would receive her reward for her actions and words. When she left he took a mouthful of his wine, held it in his mouth while he thought about the conversation and briefly thought about her mother. Gods.. it had been incredible. How many times had he, Calvunus and her mother rolled around between the sheets? He smiled at the fond memory, and watched as Oriana left and returned to her world. No doubt later he would end up returning to his own life among his family. Marcus could not sway a feeling of guilt over what may ultimate happen. If he hurt her, it would mean she might be too frightened to become involved in this sort of life and may ultimately protect her. He swallowed the mouthful. Marcus would be here for many hours to come.... drinking.....eating..... and later he would go back to work. His children and wife would be left to themselves, as always. Distance away from him would protect them from him. It was better they hated him and lived. @Sydney -Fin?-

Pizza! Ham & Pineapple is the best. Watching at the cinema or at home?

Yay! If you want to go down a more fancy route. Octavius could meet her if Tertius and he have a meet at Tertius' house. There is also a chance she could meet Claudia, who is Cynane's Domina and there are others who are higher in society that she could eventually run into. Depending on how much she can go out. She could run into my Gaius, who wants to record everyone's stories in Rome and publish them for Rome. He is already currently having a thread with Sharpie's Teutus. I have a few others; although those are the ones who I think would be really good to interact with.

Your application has been accepted. Please make sure to update your necessary claims and feel free to make your plotter.

Quintus nodded to the first response and picked at his cuticles with his fingertips. To him, it was not particularly exciting or anything of note. The second part was most interesting to him. A boy? He grinned and leaned closer in order to hear the story of why. His mischievous eyes twinkled with amusement. While he was mostly a good kid -- he was still cheeky and fascinated by stories of people's lives. Even if he came across as being rude sometimes. "As a boy!" He exclaimed, "Tell me what happened! Why were you on your own? Why didn't you travel with friends? Don't you have friends? Why were you dressed as a boy? Was it scary? What did you eat on the road?" Quintus asked the series of questions. One after another with no stops for breaths, and once he was done he gasped for breath and waited eagerly for the answers to all of the questions. A few he had admittedly began to forgot that he had already asked. @Chevi

Airplane. I hate taking trains. lol Savory or sweet?

Attius eyed up the new arrival. His role in the household was specific, and possible that another would eventually come into the home. His arms were casually folded across his chest as he eyed Rufus up as he approached him. Younger, red-haired, and seemed polite in the company of the Dominus. One of his hands gestured for Rufus to approach and smiled softly. "Right, come on then," He said softly, looked in at Octavius who was occupied with his work and made sure to stay nearby. He had overheard the outburst and a good part of the conversation that had taken place. "I take it he has told you some of it," He asked, moved to the room and opened a door that led to a small closet. There were a straw beds stacked up neatly and to the side there were blankets. "At night, take one of those and rest. You're not new to this. When you are free you are to eat, visit the medicus when you can, wear clean clothing and keep yourself clean. They don't like a sloppy household here." Atticus continued, paused to regard Rufus and there was always the chance of friction. The reward of being freed was always on the cards if they served well, and among some households there was fierce competition between the slaves. Attius like many others hoped to be freed someday. He would then become a client of Octavius' or his family. Something normal in Ancient Rome. While he wanted to take Rufus' under his wing he also wanted to find out about him, too. "Now, eat and drink when you can. Usually there will be something here you can have, soon enough, you will learn the Dominus' habits and will use the toilets in between," He said. "So, tell me about yourself?" Atticus asked quietly. @Sharpie

Claudia smiled at the presence of Cynane, her faithful female bodyguard and now they were prepared to continue on their departure to the temple. It was easier to go places without having the praetorian guard accompanying her inside, and she had no intention to insult the Gods nor their servants at their temples. Many would enjoy her patronage and support. Volusa was granted more freedom than many of the other slaves within her service when it came to asking her. While she would not necessarily be offering much in the way of coin and prayers, it was expected of her to show support and there were some matters she wished to ask about. "We will be going to the Temple of Vesta first," She answered, there were times when she wondered what it would have been like for her to have been chosen to become a Vestal. There was always a chance that her uncle in her earliest years (or another contender) could have tried to remove any rivals by placing her there. Fortunately for her there was the benefit and potential downside of her marriage possibilities being more valuable. "There are a few questions that I need to ask there, then off to the other temples, and it all depends on how the travel time goes with the streets," Claudia grumbled a little, since childhood she had been used to being gawked at inside the litter and any travel being slowed down. It would not be proper of her to be outside the Domus Augustorum after dark, and the roads could be worse during that time, even with her guards who would be clearing the road and ensuring ease of travel for her. However her concern was focused more on her reputation. @Atrice @Sharpie

Octavius took the gong and the stick, he held it high above his head and struck it as the sound radiated through the Domus. It must have been favourable as there were no signs of anger nor frustration from the ritual. Yet it was still not complete. He called out the first time. “Manes, exi paterni!" He cried out, as he walked through the large, silent home and continued to cry out the sacred line. Octavius' voice echoed through the halls that had been the home of all his kin, past and present... fortune, would need to be maintained for it to continue for their descendants. “Manes, exi paterni!" Octavius called out, each time the gong was struck and allowed to ring out throughout the domus. It sang the loud song. Again, the ritual was not yet complete. “Manes, exi paterni!" It boomed out again, with another strike of the gong and yet again. “Manes, exi paterni!" He cried out, slowly returning to the atrum once more and imagined any lingering spirits fleeing. The pained souls, who were they? Men who tried to kill the family? Slaves who did not manage to escape in time? Jealous foes wishing for revenge? It was all difficult to say. “Manes, exi paterni!" Octavius continued, making his way through the building and struck again. There was no slowing down. Outside the light was beginning to form and trickle in through the window, sunlight and a new dawn had arrived. “Manes, exi paterni!" Again, he called out, the noise followed and still it was not complete. “Manes, exi paterni!" Again, another.... and again, “Manes, exi paterni!" Again. “Manes, exi paterni!" And finally, the final line. Octavius' voice boomed throughout the Domus. “Manes, exi paterni!"and struck the gong one last, and final time for the ritual. He hoped any wicked spirits would now be appeased and happy. Or completely driven away from the safety and happiness of the home. He lifted the palla from his head and turned to smile at his wife, Valeria, who would now lead the rest of the ritual. @Dev @Sharpie

I have been decluttering my room of things that no longer inspire me. I have so many random bits and bobs. lol

It was like listening to one of those little yappy dogs who were spoiled by their owner and had never received any discipline. He had no doubt she would likely go home and cry. Marcus had seen so many girls like her with negligent fathers and cruel mothers who were desperate for love. Acting out. Unfortunately, most, if not all would find their way into the hands of unscrupulous men. Something at night that he felt guilt for. Oriana's mother was a beauty, amorous and she was a favourite of Marcus'. She looked so much like her. Marcus did not skip a beat as she continued to speak. He sipped his drink, ate and wondered how soon it would be before the Gods would remind her. His hand shot out and grabbed her wrist, yanked her sharply towards him and sat her on his lap. "Why? Do you want to have one of them?" He asked, admittedly, Marcus did enjoy her company and the banter. Her mother probably did not want her involved with someone like him. Maybe this would finally scare her away to safety. He purposely kept his wife and children out of his business. They belonged at home. Where they were as safe as possible. @Sydney

Updated with a few more.

It has been added, and yep, let me know when you have worked it out for the others. Yep, it is in the Domi Aventini Minoris. Yep, it has been added in.

Alaric was not as fit as he was in yesteryear. Yet he was not going to be shoved when he was bumped into and looked into the other's face. The German's face hardened as he studied his face, and relaxed his browline when he took note of Quintus' facial expression. It matched his words, and were not dripping in sarcasm that he found many of the Romans had. He still did not smile as he tended to only smile around his friends and family. There were no malice in the words. Simply confusion. Bit of uncertainty. Alaric was a patient man, and as he approached his twilight years he only became moreso as time went on. A stranger bumping into him was no big deal. No-one got hurt and nor was there any fuss. Besides, there was a time when he was a stranger in Rome, he had lived in the city that he had previously loathed for far longer than he had lived outside it, and definitely knew his way around. Perhaps he could help? "You seem lost," Alaric stated, and shrugged. "Are you lost? Hm? Keep your footing here, people can get quite pushy when it comes to people getting their seats." He said, his strong hand reached out to steady Quintus by the arm, released his grip and then gave Quintus' a firm swat with his hand to comfort him. @Chevi

Hey Sara! I have definitely seen you around and I have been eyeing up your site for a long time too. A lot of the RPers on AeRo have been doing it for a long time now. So you're in good company. I'm currently working on getting a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Ancient History. Slowly and surely, I will get there! Historical RP lovers unite! What are you currently binge watching on Netflix at the moment?

Octavius walked with his fellow Romans towards the direction of the Curia Julia. There were many times where the Praetorian guard would also accompany him yet today, he was among his peers and he wondered how his younger brother and father-in-law would cope with the Senate meeting. No doubt they had already discussed with Caesar what would take place. As he entered the building he was greeted by the family supporters, friends, and those who wished to petition. Generally, Octavius greeted them steadily and made his way through the crowd. He nodded in a curt greeting to Aulus, his family through marriage, and others. He took his seat as a former Consul and waited for the meeting to take place. Typically he voted along Moderati (Moderate) to Publici (internal policies) yet he was not above acting for the future of the empire. If the empire was too large, it often meant that money and resources would be stretched wide in order to meet with basic services that were required. Silently his gaze moved around the room and looked to see if there were any newcomers who were going to arrive. He turned to the person he sat beside and listened while the old timer spoke about how he thought the meeting was going to go. There had been no announcement about what was going to happen.

Your application has been accepted. Please make sure to update your necessary claims and feel free to make your plotter.

Your application has been accepted. Please make sure to update your necessary claims and feel free to make your plotter.

Tough one! ... Heatwave. Although watch me change my tune when Summer hits. Quiet picnic or a meal at a fancy restaurant?

I have so many threads I would like to do with you! Here are some of my main ideas that I have. Let me know which ones stand out to you. I would love some back in time threads with Lucilla and Flavia although I would also love to see one with Lucilla and Jullus too. In the current day, I would love to have a thread either in the past when Juliana and Jullus were finally reunited or one in their current day to see how the pair of them react to each other. Juliana doesn't really leave her villa outside of Rome. Perhaps he is traveling back to Rome to attend the Senate meeting and then stays at her villa? Octs and Valeria is always good to have a thread between them. She could also possibly meet @Sharpie's Rufus, who is one of the household slaves and is being trained as Octavius' body slave while his other one is on rest.

Your application has been accepted. Please make sure to update your necessary claims and feel free to make your plotter.

Octavius somewhat regretted his outburst. It was not like him to lose his temper over anything and he did not like that loss of control. It reminded him of the despotic tyrants to the east who ruled without reason. Although from his interactions with those men, he knew many to be far from the stereotype pushed through Roman propaganda. Still. "You will work with Arterius, the nomenclator of the household so you won't need to worry about remembering people's names." He answered, a brief look of amusement in his eyes. There were many prominent individuals in Rome, and it could be difficult to keep track of them all. Especially when so many people shared the same or similar names. Even his own family and extended family were considerably large. Arterius would no doubt speak to Rufus discreetly on some occasion. Either way, Rufus would be receiving quite a large education when it came to fitting into the household. In truth, training slaves was not his expertise and he would need to organise one of the slaves to help Rufus. "Arterius and Atticus will both assist you in settling in." He said, looked down at his desk and walked to sit behind it to deal with his papers. Atticus, his secretary waited by the door and waited for the Dominus to decide what he waited. "Atticus will take you to Arterius." Octavius said in way of a dismissal. Atticus waited for Rufus. "New arrival? Come on, let's get you set up." Atticus added cheerily. @Sharpie