Atrice

*waves* I'm here too! 

I haven't been very active myself the last few months, too much stuff going on in RL leaving very little motivation and muse to write proper posts here. I miss writing though, and as others have said, with other words I think... I would be very sad to see AeRo just close for good. It's my favorite site, I've been a member for over 10 years now, I've left and come back a few times and it has always been a nice and welcoming community, where you could just pick up your old characters and stories and continue on with new plots and shenanigans. It's an amazing board! Great stories, great lore, great writers. I've tried other sites a few times, but this is where I've always returned to, because it's just the best. Have I praised AeRo enough now? Not sure 

Anyway, I just want to see the site go on. I would be sad to lose my characters and the stories I've built up over the last decade (fx Alexius must live on, he's been through so much and he's not done yet). If it was a reboot of the site, where we could keep on with our characters and maybe less grand plotlines than before, that would be great. But if it means more work and admins not being able to keep it up, that wouldn't be good in the long run. We want our characters and stories to thrive and for us to thrive too, of course. 

I think a sandbox-thing might work out, if done right. Not too many areas to play in and make sure to keep one of the RP areas for the old AeRo plotlines, so we can keep our characters and keep on going with the stories we already have. Keep the character masks, if possible. Adding more areas too, so we can play out the same characters, but in different ways (like it's already done in the current AU board). Maybe with a few big plotlines or events coming out now and again for each area, so something "happens", that our characters have to react to. I could see that working out and maybe it being less work than the big reboot-idea.

But, like I said... all I really want is for AeRo to live on so our characters can live on. So I suppose I'd be happy no matter what happens. As long as the site isn't closed and won't die out.

Several people here have already offered their help with the future of AeRo and I'd like to give a hand too, if needed 

Cynane

Charis said it like it was. That this was really fucking awkward. Cynane nodded quietly. She spoke when she needed to, and only did so, once Charis had finished explaining about the dinner with them and her husband. Charis admitted she didn't want to make Cynane go through it, but Tertius had apparently just presumed he would be there - fucking Romans and their need for control over everything... and fucking Tertius and his need for control over Charis - and now he had to be there. Charis didn't like the idea, but her husband expected Cynane to come.

Cynane brushed Charis' hand with her thumb, when Charis seemed to be on the verge of tears, "I'm here now." She replied softly, she hated seeing her friend upset. And it wasn't even Charis' fault she was upset, nor was it Cynane. It was Charis' fucking husband.

"It seems I'll have to come then. I don't know why he wants to be there, I don't think he likes... me..." She trailed off as a memory came to mind and she rolled her eyes with a sigh, "Last time I was in that house, was when Peregrinus was born I think? Do you know what he said to me, when he met me? He didn't want us to talk in our own tongue in his house." She let out a laugh, "It all makes sense now. He thinks I'm a bad influence on you. Am I?" Cynane smirked, kind of liking that idea. Although it dawned on her, that if she came to that dinner, he'd like her even less afterwards. And that wasn't good. Then she'd never get to see Charis again. What a pickle! 

"I need a drink..." She waved her hand at a barmaid, who recognized her and knew what she wanted. They were close to the palace, it wasn't the first time Cynane had come here. It was the first time with Charis. 

@Sara

Cynane

She smiled when he said her own hair would stand out where he was from, "It seems I would stand out anywhere around here." She replied, because she was used to it and she both didn't care about what people thought of her - but she also kind of enjoyed being different and not caring that people thought her odd. She did her thing the way she did it best. Screw the Romans for thinking her weird and exotic. 

Rufus commented on Claudia being safe on the Palatine, but also understanding that Cynane didn't relax when they were out and about.

"Anything can happen, anywhere. I suppose you heard the stories about how my mistress' brother, who was the Caesar years ago, was murdered after a race? He was supposed to be safe too." She replied, she hadn't been in Rome back then and her mistress was barely old enough to remember, but she heard stories from the older Praetorians and Romans, who were there. As a member of the Imperial family, Claudia was never safe. The young Junus had even been murdered by a Praetorian. Claudia was much safer with Cynane, she believed.

"It suits me well though, to guard her. If I can't be free, I'd rather do this than anything else." She added, "Are you comfortable as body slave to your master?" He must be, when he even took liberties like they were right now. 

@Sharpie

Cynane

She smiled at him again. He earned a lot of smiles, didn't he? "It is indeed the hair. You don't see many - if any - Romans with hair like yours." She replied to him, thinking again of how it reminded her of home. Which wasn't necessarily a bad thing. But on the other hand, was it a good thing? She'd never been able to forget... "I like it." She finally added, because she decided it was a good thing to be reminded of home. Since she couldn't forget, why not just accept that? 

Cynane sat down when invited to do so and wondered if he had a habit of doing what they did now. He didn't, at first... but then said he did it when he wasn't going to be wanted. So he did it whenever he got the chance. Cynane nodded, thinking that perhaps she should do the same. It was the least she should do, after having served her people's enemies for so long. Rufus assumed right, when he thought she didn't get to relax often.

"I don't. I am not supposed to, after all. I have to look after my mistress. Keep her safe... at all times." She explained, because that did explain everything. How could she relax, when she should always be alert and always be ready, should anything happen to Claudia? 

@Sharpie

Cynane

She smiled again at his response to her explaining about being a bodyguard. Of course he wondered, everyone did, with her appearance. And she'd long since given up on caring about it. She wore this because it was practical and because she liked it - and because her mistress didn't mind. Rufus stood out too, with his hair. He had a special appearance too. Which made her wonder where he was from. She nodded at his words.

"That explains a lot. I'm British too." Which tribe did his mother belong to, she wondered? Maybe he didn't know, because he was born here. Sometimes she thought it must be easier to have been born into slavery. You'd never tasted freedom, so didn't know what you were missing. She knew. While she mused to herself, Rufus said they could sit.

"If you say so." She responded and looked around, then picked a couch, but so far only sat on it. She was far too aware and always alert to just relax... "Do you do this often? Sit in their furniture when they're not watching?" It was kind of rebellious and she had to admit, that part she didn't mind so much. 

@Sharpie

Cynane

Cynane followed the other slave to a nearby room, richly decorated and it appeared to be a place where the Romans would make themselves comfortable. She didn't sit though, wasn't sure if she was supposed to, this was not her house, after all - and she didn't want to get into trouble. So she remained where she was and the other slave introduced himself and his rank within the house. She nodded.

"Good to meet you, Rufus. I'm Cynane, Claudia's bodyguard... in case that wasn't obvious." She said with a small smile, gesturing to her outfit and appearance and looked at Rufus again. He didn't look very Roman at all, but he sure sounded like it, or, he didn't have a foreign accent at least, which made her curious, "You're not from Rome, are you?"

@Sharpie

Cynane

Cynane still hadn't decided what to do with her time here in the domus. She didn't know it that well, she'd been here maybe a few times before, but it was always brief and usually Claudia wanted her close by. But that wasn't what she chose to do today. Maybe Cynane should just stay here. Maybe she'd be back real soon. She eyed the chair again, but then a younger man, rather short and with stunning red hair, emerged into the atrium area where she stood. He almost reminded her of home somehow. Gods, she'd been in Rome for more than a decade, but Britannia would always be 'home', wouldn't it? Rome had never been home to her. 

He seemed surprised to see her too, paused for a moment taking her in, before he greeted her.

"That's exactly what they did." Cynane said, considering that she might just make good use of the other slave being here. He appeared to be a slave anyway... "Do you know if there is a good place for me to be, while I wait... besides here?" 

@Sharpie

Cynane

September, 77 AD

Claudia had some errand with her uncle Octavius and Cynane, as always, followed wherever her mistress went. Claudia still said she felt most safe with Cynane close by, and Cynane also disliked Claudia leaving the palace without her, so of course she was coming. And well, of course she was also coming, because she was a slave and this was her duty to her mistress. It's not like she could just turn down an order, even if it was spoken in a friendly tone.

But now they were here, Claudia went off into the garden with Octavius and Cynane was left in the atrium. She hadn't been here very often and she wasn't all that fond of Octavius... although he was of course the one who gifted her to Claudia, so without him, she'd still be a gladiatrix, she'd still be fighting for entertainment and sold for entertainment. At least she wasn't doing that anymore. It had been years now, since she was gifted to Claudia and that also meant years since she'd been touched in a way she didn't want to. That also wasn't going to happen today. So Octavius wasn't the worst Roman. But he was still one of them. Her favorite Roman might always be Claudia, she thought to herself. Claudia was safe with her... and Cynane was also safe with Claudia, at least in some regards.

She looked after the pair as they disappeared into the sunshine and once left to her own devices, she wondered what to do. Should she dare sit in that chair over by the wall? Or perhaps explore the house? As long as she didn't get in the way of the house slaves. But where to go though?

@Sharpie

@Sharpie

Pinaria Gaia

She had no idea how long she'd been waiting with Lucius in the hallway, but it felt like forever. She felt sorry for Ovinia, she'd been through plenty because of their attacker already, and now she had to tell the story again. To someone who didn't know everything that had happened, to someone who had not been present in that insula the night their attacker had been caught. An outsider. An Imperial, but an outsider.

Pinaria had pulled her palla up to cover her hair, when the the slave Jason finally appeared with Ovinia, who looked pale. Pinaria wanted to embrace her, but this was not the time or the place to show such feminine gestures. Instead she briefly touched Ovinia's shoulder with an encouraging smile, and then she nodded at Jason.

"I'll come." She simply replied and followed him to the room where Jason's master was waiting. She looked at the young man sitting, waiting for her. He did look so young. So formal at the same time. It felt odd. Tiberius most likely knew her, or at least of her family, since her father had been an esteemed Senator and her brother was doing well in that regard too. But she had many sisters and she did not expect this young prince to know her or the others. 

Suddenly she felt strangely insecure. She never felt like that. But she didn't know this young man and she was going to tell him what happened to her. So she dipped her head and waited for him to begin.

@Sarah @Sara @Sharpie @Chevi

Horatia Sosia

Lucius didn't make a habit out of seeing the city on his own, but she glanced when he spoke of being tourists in the city with her. He would do that? Oh it sounded like it would be so much fun! But before they could discuss that idea further, the slave entered with the huge dog and she was surprised by the sight. And interested. Excited even. She thought she'd never seen a dog like that before, and despite the wrinkles and the size, it looked like such a sweet dog. Lucius said that of course she could meet him, and explained more about the dog. Just over a year old? Still growing? She was in awe! 

He extended a hand towards her and she moved over towards it, chuckling when he spoke of the dog being a birthday present, "Or maybe he thought you needed a friend like this?" She suggested with a smile, not wanting to speak ill of his friend that she didn't know, and surely anyone should be happy about receiving such a sweet dog. Rugam was now ordered to sit and carried out the order. She crouched down to face it when the slave Attis told the dog to shake hands and she chuckled again when it held out its paw. She took it and shook it.

"What a good boy he is!" She said and let go, looking at its face. Then stood to join Lucius again, "I think you're lucky to have such a dog. Do you ever take him for walks? I walk a lot with Eucleia. You must meet her sometime. I'm sure she'd love you." 

@Sara @Sharpie

Horatia Sosia

Sosia enjoyed Rome, but a part of her also longed for some kind of adventure - and since she was a woman, she couldn't just go out on adventures like men. So she'd just have to hear the stories and Lucius had one to tell her about Hispania. He explained what it was like in Hispania. She knew it was part of the empire and actually not that far away, but for her, who never left Italia and had just gone between Rome and their villa in the country... it felt like so far away. What an experience! She listened with interest, as he spoke of both hot and dry and more cold areas, mountains... and the people there. She let him talk and now it seemed he was back to stay in Rome.

"That must be so strange though, such a different life. Hispania sounds exciting. It's such a different life here in Rome, I mean." She said, because it did sound exciting and she wasn't sure if being a Senator and having to do with politics was equally exciting. Probably not. Not to her anyway. But he went on quickly, suddenly asking into her own life and her father.

"Well my father is a Senator, but not the most outspoken I guess. I'm not sure what he does, he doesn't share it with me." She explained, she never really had a lot to do with him or his duties, "I'm not a... I have a brother, after all." She was a woman and women and politics didn't go together, her father said. He said it would surely bore her. Maybe it would, maybe it wouldn't. But since her father preferred she did not interfere in the matters, she didn't. Lucius might think of it differently, she thought to herself. Ovinia was far more outspoken than she was. This family was different.

@Sarah @Sara

Marcus Junius Silanus

How exactly could he know to trust Jason to not tell Tiberius one single word about what he'd seen and experienced with Marcus today? He couldn't. He could only hope that at least in this case, Jason would be loyal to him instead of Tiberius. Fuck! He couldn't know. How stupid of him to be discovered by Jason like this. But he said nothing and assumed Jason would go away now, only he didn't. Instead he lingered and wondered what to tell his master, should he ask about Marcus.

He flopped down onto the back again, not in the mood for this amount of thinking.

"Tell him I'm busy and tired." He said with a sigh, "That's all he needs to know. He wouldn't know about my looks unless someone told him. And no one will. You did promise me that." And he would keep Jason to it. Gods if he said something and Marcus found out... "If he asks for me, come and tell me. But don't tell him." 

@Sharpie

Marcus Junius Silanus

The other Marcus made a very good point, mentioning that if your sponsored something to do with the races, you could make your name known. And Marcus did want to make a name for himself, wanted to rise higher - so this could be a way to start. Even if he didn't care much for the races himself, but he did care for his future. He did! He did however lack the ability to put a great deal of coin into it. Maybe Tiberius could lend him a bit. He decided though that he still needed to consider and he had an idea of how he could make an even better deal than just making a name for himself.

Vibia smirked, oh yes she was being very obvious and he decided to roll with it for now. Watching her being that friendly with a simple charioteer did make him a bit jealous, but he thought he had a plan. Maybe it would work, maybe not. But you'd never know if you didn't try. Vibia explained more about what she knew about himself to the others, and then mentioned his friends. Marcus downed a bit more wine and gave her a smile.

"You'd like to know, wouldn't you?" He said with a grin, "I can't invest much for now, I'm afraid, but..." He paused briefly, "... I can put in a good word or two with someone I know. Or maybe they'll even help be with the sponsorship. Maybe... I can be persuaded to do that." Marcus paused and eyed Vibia, "If the right person is willing to persuade me." 

@Sara @Sharpie @Chevi

Cynane

Cynane felt strange, unsure of what to do and say. It had been such a long time, many months and Charis had changed. She'd been free at least half a year by now, she had a husband, a child... she didn't need to come and see Cynane. And that made Cynane worry of course, wonder why Charis wished to see her. But her friend said everything was fine. Was it though? But then she began explaining, rather quickly, that Tertius wanted to have dinner with Cynane. Her eyes widened? Why would he want that? If he thought he could persuade her into liking him, he would have to first undo everything he'd done to Charis. And there was no going back. You could not undo what you'd done.

Charis went on though. It was her, who wanted the dinner, and her husband or whatever he was, invited himself. Charis didn't seem to like it and Cynane agreed. It couldn't be easy for her, she knew that. She reached out across the table for Charis hand, "It is awkward, isn't it?" She said with her own sigh, "Do you want me to come? To have dinner with you... and him? You know I don't..." I don't like him, she thought to herself. But he was Charis' husband now. She was forced to like him, whether she wanted to or not. Forced to pretend... "Do you think it's a good idea?" It wasn't that she didn't want to have dinner with Charis, but Tertius... she did not enjoy the idea.

@Sara

Marcus Junius Silanus

Marcus glanced at Lucius as he seemed to react to what Marcus just said. Was there someone? He suspected there might be, despite what Lucius told him so far. Marcus just couldn't quite figure out exactly what was going on. Lucius was a bit of a mystery really, he was born into a good and wealthy noble family and now he was a vigile, by choice. And he was probably even far too good to be that, he could probably do something even better for the people elsewhere. Like the Senate. Marcus should really pull himself together and try and attend some meetings, learn something. He just felt so young among them. But on the other hand, how else would he learn?

He was thinking to himself while they walked and approached the nearest bath house and went inside. Once there, Lucius suddenly asked about Marcus mood. It took him by surprise.

"Why... why would I not be in a great mood?" Why indeed? Perhaps because he messed up big time and got beaten up and humiliated, although that was months ago now, but it still sat right there within him. Did Lucius suspect anything by the way Marcus replied? Lucius was smart. He'd figure out that Marcus was stalling. He inhaled a breath and decided to continue doing just that, and began to undress for the baths.

@Chevi

Horatia Sosia

He really thought she was beautiful. And she thought he was handsome, but that wasn't something you just told a man. Certainly not one you just met. But wouldn't her father be happy when he heard, that Lucius thought she was beautiful? That was a good start. This whole meeting was. And he didn't think her simple, instead he began talking about a dog a friend had given him. Rugam did he call it? Oh she wanted to meet this dog now! And he sent his slave to fetch the dog. She smiled, she loved animals! Especially dogs. But kittens too. Any, really, as long as they were soft and sweet.

While they waited, he asked what she liked most in Rome, "I liked the... Porticus Liviae? It is a beautiful garden. Green and yet... filled with so many interesting things. And a temple in the middle." It was a very lovely place, she thought. She opened her mouth to ask for his favorite place in Rome, but his slave returned just then, with a giant of a creature that was the dog Lucius mentioned. Her eyes widened in surprise, but not in a bad way. Oh she could see what he meant when he described it! It was huge! And seemed so playful.

"Can I... can I meet him?" She asked with a grin, "He looks so sweet! Was the name Rugam? He's so different from my Eucleia, she's much smaller." Eucleia was mostly good at barking at unfriendly people, but this one right here, he'd bite their heads off. Probably all while being the sweetest dog around people he liked. So cute! She glanced at Lucius, who wasn't huge in the same way as the dog, but she kind of thought there was a resemblance. And it made sense. It really did.

@Sara @Sharpie

Lucius Antonius Alexius

Alexius just really didn't want to overstep her boundaries and she was the lady here. She was. A noble lady. A very noble lady and he was just the man, loving her. So of course he'd let her decide, as any good man would. Not that there were many of them in Rome, he suspected, but at least he was one, right? 

Calpurnia didn't seem to want to wait after all and then she mused on what to do next. Alexius chuckled and plucked another kiss from her lips, "Gods, Calpurnia... I love you." He said and let go of her body, but only to find her hand so he could pull her with him through the water towards the shore. It was going to be rough and coarse with the sand, but he did want her and how could he refuse her, when she said such things? He couldn't, he really couldn't. 

Once they were in lower waters, he'd help her up and into his arms and another kiss, deeper now, more... longing. Not that he wanted to seem too needy, but he didn't want to wait more.

@Chevi

Cynane

Cynane had said to Charis last time they saw each other, that she needed time. But was it enough time and would it ever be the same with her friend? They were so different. Lived very different lives in Rome. Both came here as slaves, but their paths here had nothing in common. Cynane had been a gladiatrix and was now bodyguard to a princess. Charis became a slave to a cruel man, had a child, was then freed, but forced to call said man her husband. And she did so willingly. Had it really been enough time for Cynane to let all that sink in? She suddenly wasn't sure. But Charis wished to see her and how could she refuse her friend? So she approached Charis, who seemed unsure of what to do too. Why did it have to come to this? To be like this? Fucking Romans. Really! 

Charis then said she'd brought honey cakes for them, just like in the old days. As if it was. Cynane sat down opposite Charis, fiddled with the cloth bag to open it, to have something to do. She looked up when Charis said she missed her. Cynane sighed by the words. She'd missed Charis too. But she wasn't sure how to deal with the new friendship, the friendship that used to be between two slaves and now was between a slave and a freedwoman.

"Of course I came." She said and then it struck her again. Why did Charis as her here? Did she get in trouble? Were there problems at home? Was that why? "Is everything alright?" 

@Sara

Horatia Sosia

She liked it when he chuckled and smiled and he did that a lot - he seemed like a cheerful sort of man, and who wouldn't like that? Sosia certainly did. But the neck ring was as heavy as it was foreign and interesting to her, and she had no idea how to get it off on her own. And she hadn't minded his touch just before, no, she yearned for such things, her body craved it more than she knew. So she dared to ask him to help her take it off, and he nodded with a smile and came closer to her. Gods, he was so close to her! She inhaled quiet breaths, biting her cheek. If her father knew this... but he didn't, he was the one who sent her here with nothing but her slavegirl. It was like he wanted stuff like this to happen. And it was like she wanted it too.

She stared into his chest and then looked up at him, when his thumbs brushed over her collarbones. And then it was over, well, almost. He'd taken the neck ring off of her, but he hadn't moved away. Her lips parted slightly in surprise and he was watching her, her face. Was he going to kiss her? No... but then said she was beautiful. She blushed, unable to take her eyes off of him, "Thank you... I mean... you really think so?" That's all that came out and she felt so foolish, those were foolish words to say, why would he say that to her if he didn't mean it? 

It took a few more moments before he moved a step away from her and then wanted to know about her interests, "Oh..." She said with a grin back to him, she loved how cheerful he was, really! "I guess I must seem simple, compared to what you have. But I enjoy reading, and nature. Animals. I have a dog I love and I take her for walks." She said, gods she did sound so young and inexperienced, "I like exploring, I suppose? I've been in Rome a while now and I feel I don't know half of it yet." 

@Sara

Marcus could only hope that Tiberius was too busy to be concerned about him, but Jason was probably right. He knew his master well too, although differently than Marcus knew Tiberius. And at least Jason promised to not tell his master about Marcus and his current state. There was a long pause however, when Marcus wondered if Tiberius was indeed all that worried, but then Jason finally replied. Said he was worried and Tiberius had hardly seen him recently. Hardly anyone had seen him recently though. He'd seen Ovinia, but that was by accident and he wasn't seeking her out again either. She was far too curious about what happened to him. At least Jason wasn't, because he was a slave. It wasn't his place to be curious. It was his place to serve and answer when asked, as he had done now.

"That's... kind of him." Marcus then said and sighed, "I'll see him once this face looks better." A lot better. Once the scar wasn't too red anymore, once all the bruises had gone. He sat up a little more to drink a gulp of the wine, before looking at Jason again, "Don't forget your promise to me." 

@Sharpie

Marcus Junius Silanus

He was not even twenty years old yet, of course he would not marry so soon! And especially since he had no one special he wanted to marry. Marcus thought he'd marry someday, but he doubted it would be for love. With his goals and ambitions, his will to climb high, he'd most likely marry for the sake of politics and alliances. He could just hope the lady he'd marry would also be pretty. Not to mention good in bed. But that wasn't going to happen anytime soon anyway, he was still young, he had no plans of marrying within the next few years anyway. Lucius however was older than he, so maybe? Since he brought it up...

But Lucius said he had no plans of marriage and didn't think he'd be a valid prospect for anyone yet, "I think there's plenty of young ladies who'd love to marry a guy like you. Handsome and doing good for the city? I'm sure you could make someone very pleased and happy." He replied, Lucius probably even had a better shot at that than Marcus did. Gods, he was being very honest tonight, wasn't he? Well it was a while since he spent time with a friend who wasn't someone high and mighty. Maybe it was a really good thing Lucius dropped by tonight. Maybe he did need to unload with someone who hopefully wouldn't judge him too hard.

@Chevi

It was and felt very bold to be here, naked with her, kissing her in the water, holding her close... out in the open, where anyone could see them. But this seemed like a nice little private beach and he was tired of always having to hide in the city. Wasn't that exactly why they went here? To be able to spend more time together. And they did that just now. She held onto him too and he suggested what to do next, but she just teased him and nestled her body closer to his. He let his hand travel over her backside to keep her leg where she'd placed it.

"Gods, woman..." He grinned, plucking another kiss from her lips, "Who knew a Vestal would be such a tease?" Who knew indeed? "You know what I want... or maybe..." He trailed off, wondering if she really would be this bold with him. Perhaps he was forgetting himself, "Would you rather we wait until tonight?" Not that he wanted to, but she was the lady here, this was her place and maybe she would prefer the safety of the darkness tonight. Even if he could just easily have her right here, but if she'd rather wait, that's what they would have to do. That's what she did to him. 

@Chevi

Cynane

She'd been surprised when Claudia's secretary came to her, to inform her that they'd received a letter from Tertia Charis, inviting Cynane to see her. They knew of course, that Cynane had this friend and that she'd also gone to be present when Charis gave birth, so they knew who she was. And apparently it was alright that Cynane went to see her now too. But still it surprised her. It had been almost half a year since they parted ways last time. After Charis told her she'd been freed and was now the wife of the man who violated her and mistreated her in the past. Charis was free, but in Cynane's eyes, not entirely, not on those terms. And she had a hard time accepting it all, she'd said she time to let it all sink in. And Charis certainly gave her time. A lot of time. They had not seen each other since and now suddenly, this invitation came.

And while Charis' situation had changed a lot, Cynane was still the same. There was no change at all. She got dressed, there was no change in her outfit either. Except she didn't see a need to wear a leather vest on a warm day, so she left that at home. Grey breeches and a blue tunica with a belt and her purse. And her hair in a simple long braid down her back. She inhaled a breath and left the palace and inhaled another when she spied her well-dressed freedwoman friend by a table with a drink. 

She couldn't help but wonder, now she hadn't seen Charis in such a long time... what did she want? Silently she approached her friend, unsure of how to speak to her or how to begin. Words wasn't her strong side.

@Sara

It felt like ages, while he considered how to respond to her question. Her admission and her truth and her question. Pinaria waited, she wasn’t holding her breath, but she hoped he would not dislike her or change his opinion of her. You never knew with people. But she liked him, more than so many other men she’d met and she had deemed she liked him enough to marry him, should he want the same. And it would not be right to marry him without him knowing this about her. The man who attacked her might have a public and nasty execution, after all.

Then he began talking, saying she could have stayed silent, since she didn’t know him so well. But when it all came down to it, he didn’t blame her for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. She inhaled a breath when he said he’d changed his opinion, but apparently, it was only for the better. He said she was stronger than he thought.

Pinaria nodded when he’d finished talking, “You’re right, I could easily have kept quiet about it. But I like you, Gaius… and I consider you an honorable man and a good man.” She paused, “And it would not be right of me to hope for a future relation between us, if I’d kept quiet about this story. If you didn’t know.” Pinaria said, “And I’m glad that I now know, that I was right about you. At least I hope I am. That you are a good man.” She paused and gave him a small smile, “Maybe one of few.”

@Sharpie

He was so sweet, when he promised he’d protect her if the neck ring was too heavy. She couldn’t help but being amused by the way he spoke, he was so charming and witty! “If you promise, I’m not afraid.” She replied with a smile and held the golden neck ring in her hands, it was quite heavy. She may never have held so much gold in her hands before, not at once. Sosia could not help but being amazed by it; it’s crude beauty, its value… both in coin and in Lucius’ memories.

She carefully asked for his help to put it on then and he nodded. Without a word, he moved in behind her and she felt his fingers on the back of her neck, touching her hair. She'd barely realized what she asked from him, but now that he was there, touching her ever so lightly, she was very much aware of it! She felt a slight shiver by the gesture and exhaled a small breath. Not that she disliked his touch. They were light touches, but her mind and her body craved it and she tried to not give in and to not show it. Then she felt the neck ring and its weight as he suddenly stepped away, his fingers leaving the nearness of her skin.

Silently she touched the gold she now wore, not daring to turn to face him and she didn’t need to. He came to her front and looked at her, then suddenly said she could keep it. She blinked, looking up at him, a hand still on the neck ring.

“I don’t hate it.” She said to him with a small grin, “But… I don’t even know if it suits me, and I don’t think I would ever wear it again. And I couldn’t take it from you. It holds more meaning to you.” Sosia said, looking up at him, “But you really are very kind, Lucius. Very kind.”

Sosia removed her hand from the neck ring, it was heavy and she felt she didn’t need to wear it longer. But it was fun trying it! Yet, to get it off again... she looked at him, now very conscious about what she was going to say and what it would lead to, but to be quite honest, she didn't mind... “It is quite heavy. I need your help again.”

@Sara