Gil

I just finished reading an Inspector Lynley crime/murder mystery - "This Body of Death" - which happened to turn around the discovery of some Roman loot in the New Forest of England. So that was kind of fun! I've never watched the TV show (BBC?) made from the books. But I can HIGHLY recommend the entire series of books by Elizabeth George. (If you like contemporary "murder mysteries")

Caia Lupa - 20 - Gil Tamm (Apius A.L. Ursus) - 55 - Gil

In her father's wake, Caia had moved, noiselessly at first, trying hard to avoid the notice of any malevolent spirits. She had risen when he had, and as he had washed and prepared himself for the ritual, she had fetched a pot of hot water, kept ready for just this purpose since when they had gone to sleep earlier. As Caius moved from room to room, Caia took the pot and a spoon and spun about in his wake, cleansing each room with the water, casting it about in a circle. By the time her father was done, her sister and the slaves who slept in the apartment with them were all awake and ready, and they each began to beat upon metal pots or cups or plates - whatever was available, doled out between them. Caia joined in, beathing her spoon against the now empty pot she carried, as they all began to howl and make a great noise, to scare away any last remaining spirits who might have lingered. Then they all fell to, with more water and soap, and began to wash every nook and corner, every surface and piece of furnishing, missing nothing until the sun was well risen and the house was pure and clean from top to bottom. Then it was the time to pay homage to their ancestors with offerings set before the lalarium. It would be a bittersweet day for Caia, as the loss of her mother was brought home in such a marked way. Yet knowing too that her spirit watched over them brought great comfort to the young woman. With this in mind, she approached her father and laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Alright, father?" she asked quietly, looking into his familiar face. She was certainly old enough to note how it had aged, as she had grown. It was lined with hard work and toil, cares and setbacks, not the least of which was the loss of his wife. But it was rugged, and strong, and inspired a great deal of faith and certainty in Caia. She always believed her father would be there for her, and take care of her, and her sister. When it came to family, Caius was in every sense of the word a good Roman family man. @Gothic

Calvunus shot the other two a look and asked with a grin, "Delos? Isn't that where they have all those statues of gigantic pricks?" He snorted in amusement as he stuffed some bread in his gob. @Chevi

Phaedo listened with rapt attention, as Calvunus began attacking his food with gusto, and a good amount of lip smacking, chewing and slurping at the wine that had been delivered to them. Against this backdrop of noise, the slave murmured appreciatively, "...But when I saw the house of Artemis that mounted to the clouds, those other marvels lost their brilliancy, and I said, 'Lo, apart from Olympus, the Sun never looked on aught so grand'."* He smiled, bemused, at Theodorus. "You are fortunate. I was close to Ephesus, once. When I was brought from the northern shores of the Euxeinos Pontus, and then by ship to Delos, where my first master bought me. But, I was only a small child. Even if I had the good fortune to see the temple, I would not have known it for what it was. My master had seen it though. He told me of its wonder and taught me those words." *from Antipater of Sidon, a Greek poet of the second century BC, found in the Greek Anthology IX.58 @Chevi

The suggestion had Phaedo's eyebrows rising with mild surprise. He wasn't at all sure his own mistress would be pleased for one of her slave's to be quite so free as to stay out all night, somewhere else. Yet it was Saturnalia - a festival when roles reversed and slaves could act as masters, for one night. Lexus was not his master, so Phaedo was not quite sure it applied in the same way to the two of them. They were friends, or so he liked to believe, whilst burying any realization that their status was worlds apart. But it had seemed like the domina of the Venus had pretty much given them all liberty, to go out and enjoy themselves. So perhaps...it would be alright if he stayed away, just this one night. Besides, the offer made by Lexus would still have to be approved by his mother too. So in response, Phaedo said, quite truthfully, "I would enjoy that. But come, first we must get there." He grinned and with his arm about his friend, they continued to make their way through the dark streets, heading towards Lexus' dwelling. It seemed to Phaedo that were coming close to their destination, although he wasn't entirely sure that the alley they had chosen would empty out into the street they needed to be on, when a dark shape loomed up out of the shadows, joined by another right beside it. A gruff voice sounded. "Here, now. Who are you?" @Atrice

Life was a bastard sometimes, and Calvunus had not been a happy man these last few weeks. Oh, yes, he should have been grateful that damn bitch hadn't ripped his balls off - there was that. But the bite wound had been painful and its placement on his inner thigh had been the source of both extreme inconvenience and amusement - the amusement of his friend Marcus, that is. Calvunus had been in a right terrible mood for too long, and even as the wound continued to heal as it should - without complication - he still felt abused by fate and the gods and dogs and his fellow man in general. Possibly the worse part of his ordeal had been being forced to spend far more time at his own domicile than he'd ever wanted to. His wife was a nag and she'd shown him no sympathy. Of course, he'd not told her the details of how the dog had happened to come upon him, and Helios, in that alley - or more precisely, what they'd been in the middle of when the protective mother canine had attacked. But even without such information, she had been able to disparage and scold, and he was thoroughly sick of her voice, and the sound of his many young children running in and out of the insula constantly. So he was at least a shade more pleased than he had been when he could quit his home and return to mostly hanging out at the Venus and finding any excuse to sleep there as well. Thus it was that early morning found him in need of relieving himself and then hunger prompted him to go poke about in the kitchen to see what he could find to still the rumbling in his belly. What he found was Helios, the golden haired minx that was now so interwoven into that tale of woe. Yet Calvunus laid no blame at the whore's feet for what had happened. In fact, Helios had been the hero that night, getting him back to the brothel and attended to by their drunken quack of a medicus. Calvunus was indebted to the man. He acknowledged that. And upon seeing him, he grinned in response to the teasing greeting. "And such a beautiful sight to behold so early in the morning!" he said, clapping Helios on the back and then sliding his arm around his shoulders as he sat down beside him. He gave him a squeeze, looking at him. "Our lovely ray of sunshine," he quipped, a play on the slave's name. "How have you been keeping? I've seen little of you these past few weeks," he asked in a genial tone, his mood improving already, for that was Calvunus' way - he wasn't a man to stay down and bitter for too long. He reached past Helios for a slightly blighted pear that someone had abandoned in a wooden bowl, and brought it to his lips, biting into it heartily, the juice wetting his lips. @Atrice

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/exhibit-spotlights-roman-delicacies-baked-dormouse-carbonized-bread-180972731/?utm_source=smithsoniandaily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=20190726-daily-responsive&spMailingID=40294090&spUserID=ODgzMDkwNjQxMzY2S0&spJobID=1562216600&spReportId=MTU2MjIxNjYwMAS2 So I'm dropping this here because I didn't want to have 15 different places for Roman cooking/baking/eating links - I hope you don't mind! Is there a thread on the site for things like this???

Making an attempt to tear his thoughts away from what he'd witnessed a short while ago, before he'd had the sense to close his eyes, Phaedo asked Theodorus, "What parts of the Empire did you see, domine? Were you able to do anything besides march and camp and care for the others?" He was not filled with wanderlust himself. But he had always enjoyed hearing others speak about their travels throughout the known world. @Chevi

"Ah, good. A little civilizing influence then - bet your comrades taught you how to fuck properly!" Calvunus said with a laugh. In his mind, of course, the Romans, being far superior to the Greeks, were the ones to bring "civilization" to the world, and not vice versa. Also, the idea that either soldiering or fucking had anything to do with being "civilized" did not seem in the least bit ironic to him. His thought processes were simple, and far from logical, and in absolutely no way intellectual or appropriate. For Calvunus, life was all about the simple things, like...violence, sex and getting drunk. That's was about the extent of his existence. Oh and trying to somehow get rich. The woman was bringing the food to their table, and before she had even set it down, Calvunus was reaching for it with one hand while grabbing himself with the other, leering at her. "If it doesn't taste like pig shit, I'll give you a little something extra for the effort." He was the type of man who thought that any woman would count herself lucky to get a taste of him. @Chevi

Phaedo threw a consoling arm about his friend's shoulders. "That is true. But we cannot know how it is for her, in her life, as slave to the household and to her young mistress. Perhaps it is that which makes her sour and selfish. Don't take it to heart too much. Her words were probably not directed solely at you." He gave Lexus a friendly squeeze. "Come. It's time to get you home. Otherwise your mother will never let us out together again." He was teasing, but that thought was sobering enough to make Phaedo hurry Lexus along. Besides Helios, Lexus was his only real friend, and he did not want to jeopardize that by making his mother upset. @Atrice

Persephone had had quite enough. She saw now that the boy was just that - a boy still! In that case, she had no use for him - or so her wounded pride told her. She stepped back, far enough to let him move. "Fine! Go then! I'm sure you'll be puking along the way. You should learn - little boys shouldn't drink more than they can handle!" It was all said in a hushed, harsh tone. She had crossed her arms over her chest and was practically tapping her toe in impatience. Clearly, she was done with them, her night ruined in all ways. Phaedo, though, heaved a sigh of great relief! Just as soon as Lexus had mumbled his refusal, he had stepped closer to his young friend. And when the girl stepped back, Phaedo reached for Lexus' arm, tugging at it. "Yes, we should go." He made no pretense of good manners. The girl was a slave, like himself, and she obviously did not care at all about her poor mistress. He owed her no apologies, or good byes even, and neither did Lexus! They moved to the door and Phaedo opened it a crack, peering out. The coast seemed clear. Without letting go of his friend, he took Lexus by the hand and led him to the back gate. They slipped through and he did not stop walking. Not until they were well away from the home did his pace slow. Even if Lexus was a little worse for the wine he'd had, Phaedo would support him - but he had no intentions of stopping, until he got Lexus home. @Atrice

Calvunus frowned a bit, looking truly perplexed. "Don't you just stick your cock in between the thighs? I always wondered how a man could find any real satisfaction in that. As a way to get started, yeah...But in the end, don't you ever just want to...shove it in?" He gestured with two fingers and those of his other hand rolled into a cylindrical position. He was nothing if not blunt (and unrefined and crass and ill mannered). @Chevi

Phaedo had gone quiet. It was true - recalling the sight of what had happened, in the arena, a short while ago, it made him quite queasy. It was different from an accident, like the child who'd been kicked by a horse. That was bad luck. The gladiator matches, that was...planned brutality. He couldn't understand how anyone would want to see such gore, to find it...entertaining...or arousing! He imagined attending to soldiers would be almost as bad. But at least the sole impetus for rending flesh and opening up a man's insides was not so the crowds would cheer with enthusiasm. At least nominally, war served a more...pragmatic...purpose. @Chevi

Love this! Thanks for sharing!

Some came forward, others pulled back. Many were just onlookers, and Titus spotted a few familiar faces, besides that of the young princess. Flavia Juliana, his cousin, and her young step-daughter, Caecina Tusca - neither of them seemed to welcome an approach. He assumed the young woman was not married yet. Being away for the better part of fifteen years meant that sometimes some news of what was going on within his huge extended family fell through some crack or other. Jullus' daughter was married and was by no means too old to bear more children. But it was a task fraught with dangers and she was already a mother - was it two or three now? He tried to recall as he loped past them, with a solemn smile but nothing more. Scipio and his wife, he saw, the man a contemporary of his cousin Octavius and raised for some part by his aunt Annthea, Octavius' mother. He was fairly sure that Apius had children, yes...several, he thought. He saw the couple speaking with one another but he wouldn't run up and smack Apius' wife with the goatskin tether unless he knew for sure - unless she put her hand out for him to strike it. He hesitated. But then there was one, a woman not of extremely tender years, as told by her hands, which were stained with ink. Hands that were definitely extended towards him, desirous of the blessing the gods could bestow. He ran up and struck with accuracy, and gentleness, no need to be harsh. The slimy skin hit hers, and Titus was already moving on. The women's head was bowed, her face turned aside. It wasn't for him to poke into her affairs. His task was only to act as a conduit, in some bizarre way, for the gift of fertility, nothing more. @Anna @Brian @Echo @Gothic

OOC Name: Gil Character Name: Phaedo Link to active thread: You'd Not Regret Chafing Your Lips With [My] Reed Character Name: Marcus Calvunus Link to active thread: Shake A Leg Character Name: Titus Flavius Alexander Link to active thread: Lupercalia Begins Character Name: Gaius Petronius Aquilius Urianus Link to active thread: Rainbow Unicorns Character Name: Caia Lupa Link to active thread: They Don't Know Anything

Thank you for this Sharpie! Now...how many as(s)es for a pig in a poke.....

As the woman finally left them, Calvunus bestowing one more pat to her bum, he turned a grinning face to Phaedo and Theodorus. "Don't go throwing up all over the place, lad. If you need to hurl, go do it outside!" he commanded, catching sight of that blanched countenance. To Theodorus he said, "If you ever fancy a trip to the Venus, drop by and ask for me. First one'll be on the house." He chuckled. "No matter how you like it. I know how you Greeks are." He laughed, thinking himself funny. But his offer was made out of generosity - it was easy enough to give away what wasn't his to give - and it was also self-serving. If he really could buddy up with the man, he was convinced this would really boost his gambling wins. And now wouldn't that piss Marcus off? Which would just be the icing on the cake!

As Calvunus' attention was momentarily diverted by the woman, Phaedo listened with courtesy to the medicus, and he smiled. "My first master was a Greek. He was from Thebes. That's why he loved the theater so much." His voice lowered a little, and he gave a little grin. "He always said the Greek playwrights were a thousand times more clever than the Romans. Although he did quite fancy Plautus." Phaedo smirked a little conspiratorially. Then he looked at Theodorus with a bit less shyness. "Did you find serving in the military...helpful? I would imagine the wounds must be very similar to those you see here at the games." He shuddered a bit, and closed his eyes for a moment, as he remembered...all that blood!

Persephone had shut the door to the small bedroom once Lexus and Phaedo had stepped inside. It was dark as pitch, but there would be less chance they'd be seen or heard this way. The two boys got her mistress laid out on her bed. The slave didn't care if Prima was in a comfortable position or not. The other girl had ruined her own fun, so let her wake all stiff and cramped! The boy she'd been walking and talking with had leaned up against the wall, hardly detectable but her eyes were quickly adjusting to what scant light there was. When he whispered to his friend that they should go, Persephone stepped quickly to him, lifting her arms to rest on his shoulders. She leaned her body against his, her mouth ready to seek his in the darkness, her nose guiding her to the source of the fumes of wine coming forth with each one of his worried breaths. "You don't have to run off. We'll be safe here. I tell you - no-one else is about," she whispered. "Stay with me. Your friend can keep watch for us..." She closed the final few inches and pressed her lips to Lexus'. @Atrice

Phaedo was quite happy to be allowed to enter with the two men, and would have been content to stand off to the side while they ate. But it was very like Calvunus to include him in the little "party" and so he was happier still when the bouncer literally put a big paw on his shoulder and steered him to the table and bade him to sit. He wound up sandwiched between the two and he hoped Theodorus would not take offense at that. He remained quiet for a moment as the woman approached them and asked what they'd eat. He wouldn't ask for anything for himself. But perhaps Calvunus would order something that he'd be willing to share. As the bouncer began to flirt with the woman - typical - Phaedo screwed up the courage to turn to Theodorus and ask "Domine, may I ask you, where did you learn the skills of a medicus? And how did you wind up working at a Ludus?" @Chevi

Calvunus was a thug, there was no disputing that. But, like any profession, the men who populated the gangs of the Aventine came in all varieties. Was it a good trait, or a ghoulish one, that he could happily slit a man groin to gullet and yet still smile over a cup of cheap wine and a dice game a half hour later? Well, in any case, he certainly had no intention of making Phaedo stand out side, just because he was a slave. Calvunus was the "nice guy" bouncer at the Venus, and always had a grin and a joke for all the others who worked there, as well as the customers. Besides, if he left Phaedo to his own devices, the slave might get into trouble or be bothered by someone, and then what would have been the point of Calvunus coming with him to play chaperone? So as he waited for Theodorus to step inside, he clapped Phaedo on the back and with a nod indicated that the whore should join them. The three wound up sitting on a bench at a table. Because it was a seedy joint, no-one seemed to be bothered by the slave mingling with the two citizens. In response to the question asked, Calvunus grinned and nodded. "Oh yes! Love it. A man can make himself a packet of money, if he knows what he's doing." He did not say directly that he was one of the ones that did know, what to do, or that he had ever made a "packet of money." He let the assumption linger that he was, and he had - when in fact he was really a pretty lousy gambler. Sometimes he did well. But then, like many of his ilk, flush with the heady rush of success, and convinced fortuna was on his side, he'd lose it all right back again. Still, being an eternal optimist, he always looked on the cup as being half full, and truly believed fate held a great fortune in store for him. Of course, he needed to do his part too, and it seemed like cultivating the friendship of a medicus who tended to the brutes upon whom he'd lay his coins - or not - was definitely a step in the right direction. Almost as soon as they sat down, a reasonably attractive serving woman showed up at his elbow and asked "What can I fetch for you, gentlemen?" She used the word with only a slightly sarcastic tone and a playful look in her eye, as Calvunus smiled at her. "A taste of you wouldn't go amiss, darling.."he teased, reaching to give her bum a pinch. @Chevi

Between them, they somehow managed to carry the unconscious girl along, following the other one. It was horribly difficult, and the fact that Lexus had consumed maybe a bit too much wine himself wasn't helping any. But what could they do? They had to persist, and eventually Persephone stopped and pointed out that they had arrived. Thank the gods! Like most nice homes in Rome, this one was secured behind a gate. There was no watchman set. But in all probability it would be locked, Phaedo thought with dismay, struggling to keep hold of Prima's lower body. He was never so glad when Persephone said, "They're all out celebrating. We can go along to the back of the house. There's an alley. I know a way we can sneak her in. If my master and mistress find out she's gone and got drunk, it'll be me that's made to pay for it!" Her look was sour and her voice bitter together. She led them along the street and then around a corner. It was very, very dark and Phaedo hoped they wouldn't trip and drop the poor girl. Once around the back, Persephone opened a postern type door cut into the back gate. "The lock is broken. Lucky for us the major domo has been too lazy to see that it was fixed," she hissed in a low whisper. Oh gods, Phaedo though to himself, as they stealthily crept inside. It was hard to creep silently with the awkward burden they had to carry. He was now terrified that they would be seen and stopped and questioned, and possibly accused. He was a slave! A whore! He had no business sneaking around a rich man's home in the dark, his drunken daughter in his arms! Persephone's whispers that the entire household was gone out to celebrate the night gave him little comfort. He kept looking at Lexus, hoping the effects of the wine would be wearing off, as opposed to intensifying, though the latter seemed more likely than the former. @Atrice