Atrice

She did not know if it was a good idea to keep talking with Aia. Her presence and reason for being here - as in Rome - was upsetting Cynane a little and she had liked her job here so far. She didn't want to lose her temper or just say something wrong. She was sure Aia was a very sweet and kind woman, in fact so far she seemed to be, but she could not quite wrap her mind around why someone from the North would come here willingly. Work for the Romans, willingly. Cynane was here, she followed orders, she did not speak unless spoken to and she'd survived so far. But if she spoke her mind, she knew she'd be cut down the next moment. At least, that's what she imagined. She didn't trust them to keep her alive if she spoke up against them.

Aia admitted she was here of her own free will, although she had also been offered other options and they were not great. Kind of like Cynane then? Her other option was the arena. Either way, she was a slave. Aia said something about making a mistake and getting away with it by being here and Cynane wondered what she did. She decided to keep the information until an opportune moment. Of course then her conversation partner was more curious.

"Yes, I was." Cynane replied, "We thought we had them. But we didn't. And now I hear my land is entirely conquered by them. There is no home for me, because of Rome." She just couldn't help it. She inhaled a breath, trying to calm herself. It was rare she got this upset, but it happened. Still she didn't move much and it wasn't anything but her facial expression and her tone that gave away how she felt.

@Chevi

It was not like he’d forgotten Celadus – the last gladiator he bought and where the gladiator from the start was a pain in the ass, which was no understatement. Tertius hoped he could break the slave, make him more approachable, but Celadus would not be broken and he would not be nice at all to his new master. And yet Tertius could not punish him too hard, because what good use was a dead gladiator? Celadus had not been cheap and killing him or hurting him so he couldn’t fight would not be useful – because then the gladiator could not fight and if he died, Tertius would just have lost his money. Luckily his personal body slave Hector had put him in a better mood, after he sent the gladiator away for good and Tertius had him sold.

 Now all that was a while ago though and Tertius decided he’d try his luck again – he did like to watch the games and having his own gladiator would be fun. But this time, he would not go to the ludus to pick one already there. No, he’d buy a slave who would make a good gladiator, so that the slave would be his from the start. And thus he was here, at the slave market, looking for something useful. There were many here, and some almost as pretty as Hector, but that was not what he was looking for. And he didn’t want a gladiatrix. It had to be a male.

 What he needed was a muscular and strong man, one who could win and survive in the arena and someone who would be inferior enough to him to be at least somewhat controlled. And someone who knew how to obey orders and not speak up against his master! Oh he definitely did not need someone like that again. So he took his time, looking the lot over, seeing who would be useful and also quietly of course looking at who else was here. A pretty young woman was inspecting a male slave and he was clearly watching her. And now Tertius was watching him.

 The slave looked rough, with the long hair and his skin tanned and his body in general seemed robust and muscular. Tertius was curious – he might make a fine gladiator! So he approached the slave, taking a look at the sign he wore around his neck. The slaver busied himself with the young lady from before, as she seemed very interested in a young male slave. Fine, that would give Tertius moments alone with this one.

 “Greetings, slave…” Tertius said, looking him over. He only wore a loincloth and nothing else. The rest of his entire, sturdy body was on display and Tertius circled around him – he stopped in front of the slave again, pointing to the sign around his neck, “You can fight, it says? Tell me about that.”

@kitty

He chuckled at Calvunus' comment, it was fun to spend time with Calvunus away from the Venus. It was nice to be out with him, when they weren't really working and they were just having a good time together. They should do it more often. If only work didn't get in the way so often, and it did - and there was no way around it, when you were a slave. You were bound to your master... or your mistress, in this case, and she decided when he could have some free time. And while Helios didn't believe he had it worst at the Venus, he was still a slave. There was a short moment here, when he considered how it would be like to not be a slave. But then it was gone.

Especially gone because Calvunus' hands were still roaming his body and suddenly reached his still risen member. Calvunus seemed very interested in that and then spoke of himself as being selfish for not knowing that Helios had not quite finished yet. Calvunus kissed him then, all while fondling him through the fabric. He returned the kiss, his breaths growing heavier again.

"I do not... enjoy suffering. But I do enjoy your hand right now." He replied through his breath and the kisses, "And I did enjoy you just before." He added with a small smile, no one ever complained when they heard they could please others sexually. He leaned his head back against the wall, closing his eyes, this felt so good, if only there wasn't someone barking and growling nearby... wait what? He opened his eyes and turned his head to see a stray dog standing just next them, barking and bearing its teeth. And this was just getting good, but that dog didn't look friendly!

Fuck!

@Gil

And just like that, the nobleman had left and Cynane was alone with her new domina. She had said she was happy with Cynane and thanked her uncle for the gift, but then he simply left and Cynane stood there with a very young woman as her superior. It seemed wrong, somehow, that such a young woman would control a woman like Cynane. She could kill her in an instant, she wouldn’t even need a weapon – she’d learned many skills as a gladiatrix. Of course she wouldn’t though, because then Cynane would be dead too. And that was not her wish.

 Claudia made a gesture for Cynane to approach her, and so she did, until she stood in front of Claudia’s chair. It was not less degrading than when she first became a slave, to be ordered around like this. Cynane had never really gotten used to it, but she had trained herself to not show this and be discrete - she had to, if she wanted to live. Then the girl would know if she knew the name.

 “The name was given to me, Domina, by the lanista. I know she was a warrior… like me.” She explained. Cynane suited her well, actually, even if it was not the name she was born with.

@Gothic

It was fine, that the political climate in Rome was peaceful at the moment. There had been no assassination of the Caesar yet, there was not a lot of trouble on the surface. Tertius had an idea that some might be brewing underneath the surface, but it was always like that, right? Yet he had not been approached to take a side – unless of course you considered Octavius Flavius Alexander to be trying to win Tertius over to his side of things, when he had desired a meeting with Tertius. And that might very well be the reason, but Tertius didn’t feel he’d taken a side… if there even was a side to take. He simply didn’t know.

 So there were other things to do and while his favorite slave Hector was the perfect slave and at the moment, his only lover in bed, he quite felt like needed more than that. Hector gave him all the affection he could want, but he was still aware that Hector was a slave and he gave it because he was meant to do that. It wasn’t genuine, was it? Perhaps it would be nice to remarry, after all, just to have someone to talk to that wasn’t a slave or his daughter. Tertius might have stayed too neutral, he thought, because he did not really have any close friends.

 Maybe it was about time to change that. One good place to meet other people was at one of the public baths – after all, public baths were more than just baths. There were gardens to walk in, rooms to sit and talk in and of course both warm and cold baths and everything else you’d ever need when you wanted to relax and treat yourself.  

Tertius had taken his time in the actual bath, and now he had gotten dressed again and was taking a walk in the garden belonging to the bathhouse he was visiting. There were plenty of people around, as always. Even some exercising, running and all that, you’d think they were in Greece! Tertius found a marble bench to sit down upon to admire the exercising young men. Fine specimens, he thought to himself. But he would have to pull himself together to approach someone – you didn’t make friends with anyone just by sitting around, did you?

She did not see there was any other idea about Aia she could have – Aia seemed kind enough so far, although a little curious, but she still assumed the other woman was a slave. After a pause, Aia shook her head. Cynane assumed that was answering the war captive question, and it kind of was, but more than that. She just said she was born in the province, spoke about her father following the legions but then he died… and she became an interpreter.

 Cynane had to consider all of it. It sounded like her father was a free man, the way she said it. So she was no slave, or what? What was she doing here then? Why wasn’t she going home?  

“So you’re here out of your own free will?” She then asked, her voice sounding maybe a little hard. She couldn’t help it. Cynane was not here out of her own, free will and she never had been. She hadn’t chosen this; she was forced to be here. And Aia came here willingly. That had to mean she somehow liked Romans in general and wanted to be here. With these people, who conquered land that wasn’t theirs, started wars and captured people like Cynane to use and abuse the way they thought was best. She lifted her chin a little by the thought; her mind, at least, was still free.

@Chevi

She didn’t trust Romans – and in general, trust was hard to give to people these days, especially after she’d lived here this long. As a gladiator, she had friends, of course, but it was hard to trust anyone, because both Cynane and the others put themselves before anyone else. And honestly, what point was there in trusting someone she might have to kill or who might die tomorrow in the arena? Then she’d come to the palace and the praetorians had a hard time accepting a female guard here, but they would just have to live with it. Cynane wasn’t going anywhere if she could help it and she’d been here a few years now.

 So if she gave Aia strange looks, that was why. The other woman of course couldn’t know this. Cynane figured she should not talk too much about herself though and honestly she would know why Aia was here and why she was so curious. Oh she knew now she worked for Flavia Juliana, but besides that, what was her story?

 Aia first trailed off, but then she mentioned again how she worked for Flavia Juliana and she had just arrived to Rome. Before that she was in Britannia as an interpreter. That still didn’t answer her question though… was she born a slave? No, she had to be a captive of sorts, since she still spoke her own language and Cynane’s so easily. There was something that didn’t quite match up for some reason…

 “I see. That does sound like you’ve been with them most of your life. War captive, like me?”

@Chevi

She noticed how he lifted his brows, but honestly, what was the point of his questions? She was here, she was equipped as a bodyguard, so why should she not be accepted as one? It’s not like she chose to be here, after all, she was told to and thus it had to be respected by everyone. Oh so the Romans may not be used to female warriors, but Gaius here would just have to, along with everyone else here. Cynane was not going anywhere if she could help it.

 He apologized, but it did not seem sincere. And then he continued his questioning, wondering how she came to be in this position. By Morrigan why was he still here?

 “I was picked and deemed useful and told that this was my new task. It’s not my choice, but it’s better than where I was before. So here I am.” Cynane replied and dared to look at him; he wasn’t even that tall, compared to most men, while she was certainly taller than most women here, so what was his excuse? “How did you come to be in your position then?”

@Echo

Not all women in Britannia were warriors, obviously. And it had also been expected of Cynane that she at some point, probably not long after the battle where she was captured, would settle down with a man and have children and work. It just never got to that, because Rome. And here she was, in the imperial palace in Rome, speaking to another foreign woman with an odd style and beautiful hair. Who seemed surprised Cynane was here as a guard. 

She nodded when Aia asked if she’d been a gladiatrix, “That’s where they considered me to be most useful.” She replied, unable to hide the distaste for the Romans after they took her as a slave and decided what she’d be ‘useful’ for. Aia agreed she’d prefer this to the arena too, and then she stated the obvious, that she’d been picked because she was a warrior. Next she wondered for how long Cynane had been here. She sure was curious, this Aia. Very curious.

 “I have been in this palace almost two years. I have been in Rome for 11 years. And you, how long have they kept you for?” She still didn’t know whether Aia was a slave or what, but she more or less assumed that was the case. Why would any Gaul or Brit work willingly for the Romans, unless they were in the army, for unknown reasons fighting their own people?

@Chevi

Alexius didn’t really want to leave either, but he knew he should. It wasn’t like he was her husband or her betrothed or even a steady lover. He was her guard, she took him into her bed once, but that didn’t mean anything… although she did say she could get used to sleeping with him, so he might be back, but it was not a thing yet and he didn’t want to push her or overstep any boundaries. So he felt he ought to leave the bed. Besides, he wasn’t good at just laying around, doing nothing. If Alexius was in a bed, it was because he was sleeping or having sex. But of course, she didn’t know him that well yet.

 She seemed to like his morning greeting and the kiss, and why shouldn’t she? And why wouldn’t he do just that? As much as he had enjoyed their passionate night, he could also be a more down-to-earth and even romantic lover. Oriana laughed at how he called their night fulfilling, but he just smiled, and then he’d spoken about leaving the bed. At first she didn’t answer, but then she smiled and asked him to stay a little longer. She even kissed him. 

“Alright.” Alexius said and returned her kiss, also touching her cheek and letting his hand wander down over her throat and to her breasts, caressing them gently. Honestly her body was divine and he couldn’t get enough of her and her body. Just touching her and thinking about it made his desire for her stir again, “A lot can happen during short moments though.” He let his hand move down over her stomach under the covers and down to the warmth between her thighs. Meanwhile he kept looking at her, watching her face to look for her reaction to his touch, “… tell me to stop and I will. If you don’t though…” Well she could guess what he'd do next, couldn't she? 

@Sydney

What a strange man, she thought to herself. Had he never seen a female warrior before? And then he blinked a few times, after she wondered if she could do anything for him. Then he would know who she was, because he’d never seen her before. So he had been here a while, or at least it sounded like that, since he said he’d not seen her yet. That had to mean he was experienced. But she could say the same thing about him… and he also seemed equipped for a guard, so he must be one of the praetorians.

 “I haven’t been here for long. I am Claudia Caesaris’ personal guard.” Cynane replied to him and then she couldn’t help herself, “Do you really think they would let anyone in here, who should not be here? I have as much a right to be here as you. I am here to keep her safe.” She said, realizing she might have said more than she ought to, but that was too late now. She looked up then, searching for her little mistress and spied her mingling along with another young noblewoman. It seemed calm enough and nothing to worry about. Gaius here on the other hand… she wasn’t so sure about him. He was polite and all that, but she thought she sensed a bit of hostility from him. Maybe that’s why she got so defensive just before? Or maybe that’s just what she’d learned she should be, no matter what.

@Echo

The bed was nice and warm and it was kind of hard to leave it. He was still trying to pull himself together to go to his own chamber, but Oriana stirred when he had kissed her cheek. He felt her look at him and returned the smile as she greeted him, “Good morning princess.” He said with and leaned over to press an actual kiss to her lips, while she lay there, beautiful and relaxed. Gods he could do another round with her right now, but he knew they had to start the day. Maybe later though? He was certain she’d not mind if she had a moment or a night to spare.

 Especially not when she thanked him for last night and said how much she needed it, “It is I who ought to thank you, for letting stay. It was indeed very… fulfilling. I hope you felt entirely safe.” He added with a chuckle, referring to how she’d asked him to come to her room for the sake of her safety, which of course was just another way of inviting him to her bed.  

 “I suppose we should leave the bed. Or I should… it is your bed, after all. In the end, I am nothing but your very devoted guard.” He was still smiling though, the mood light and he felt so good. It was just what he needed and apparently, also what she needed. Alexius decided he better make sure she felt cherished more often.

@Sydney

One would think that for a slave who’d been in Rome for that long, Cynane had learned to guard her tongue better by now. And she had, in a way… she knew when to shut up, before she’d say too much. You couldn’t know whether someone else not from Rome liked or disliked the Romans. So sometimes it was better to stay quiet and change the subject, than to continue. She explained that she was indeed from Britannia and decided to continue wondering where Aia, whose name was apparently also Aius, was from. And couldn’t help but comment on her hair.

 Aia revealed she was from Gaul but had also been in Britannia. The other then sat down, and continued talking in a tongue more native to Cynane’s original one. So it was like that, was it? They could speak freely? That was rare… and a relief!

 Cynane lifted her chin a little, “They do. Fighting is what I do best. And it’s not like I have a choice, do I? It’s this or the arena. And I prefer being here. Wouldn’t you?” She added, halfway assuming Aia was also a slave, although you never knew. She might have travelled around with a previous owner. It was interesting though, that she was so surprised that Cynane was here as a guard. She’d never heard about such a thing before?

@Chevi

Was he ready for her? Now that was a unnecessary question! Of course he was ready, as she’d find out, but there was no need to speak, when he could just show her. She seemed to like the way he picked her up to place her on the bed, ready to give her body all the attention it needed and honestly, who would not admire a fine body as hers? He had long since forgotten how angry he was in the alleyway – he might be likely to to losing his temper, but once it was over, he’d need to do something to let out the last steam. Sex was usually the best answer to that.

 She smirked when he told her he was never not ready and she promised him they’d get used this. He smiled, letting out a sigh as he entered her again and leaned down to press a kiss to her lips again, “I wouldn’t mind that.” He said and slid a hand down over her front side again, until he began moving, first slowly, teasing both her and himself, but it wouldn’t take long before he didn’t want to tease, he just wanted pleasure. Alexius would not mind if they didn’t get any sleep tonight, it had been at least a week since last time he had sex and he craved it. She’d find out that he would be up for more or less anything she wanted from him, as long as he could have her. And he wouldn’t brag (too much) about it either. He might brag about that sexy woman he bedded, but he’d make sure to not mention her name and ruin her reputation - Alexius was not the worst lover she could choose for herself.

 One thing led to another and he had no idea how close they were to sunrise, when they finally fell asleep in each other’s arms. The sky was not yet bright in the distance though, but Alexius hadn’t had time to notice – he had been busy with Oriana and her gorgeous body and everything it could do and do to him… and what he could do to her and what reaction he’d gain from her curves. He was quite satisfied with his mistress and judging by the sounds that came from her lips and the words she uttered to him during their passionate moments, he deemed she was satisfied too.

 Eventually, morning light did come through the windows and he woke as he heard a sound close by – Alexius had always slept lightly. It was one of the slaves, coming in to check on their mistress and apparently also her now very personal bodyguard. The slave didn’t see that he noticed them, as they went about, picking up her towel from the floor and checking on various small things before they left again, not waking Oriana or Alexius on the way. He looked at the sleeping beauty by his side and carefully slid his arm away from her, brushed a bit of hair away from her eyes. So beautiful and peaceful she looked, he thought to himself.

 There was no doubt that even if he didn’t think about it, this night might just have made him a more loyal and protective bodyguard than before. Not that it meant he was in love with her - but he felt he knew her now and would care more about her safety. He leaned in to gently press a kiss to her cheek, hoping he’d not wake her just yet. She needed the sleep after last night, he thought. Perhaps he should retreat to his own chamber and rest some more, before getting dressed and ready for the day? Although it was tempting to just stay here, of course.

@Sydney

Cynane knew she was a different sight to see here in Rome. She hadn’t been so much in the arena, but here in the imperial palace, some were still surprised to see her. She knew there had been a former gladiatrix turned guard before, but that was with another consul and in another time and it was a long time ago. Some of the other slaves working here had told her. For now though, she was the only one and some nobles considered it quite interesting to look at her. Those who’d paid for her body while she was a gladiatrix still liked to glare too, but she ignored those. She was above that and above being given to strangers now. She had her princess to guard, after all.

 The redhead who had appeared approached her now, and Cynane greeted her and introduced herself. She was unsure whether the redhead was a slave or a servant or what she was, but she definitely belonged here as little as Cynane did. The stranger introduced herself first as Aius, then Aia and wondered if Cynane was from Britannia. Of course she noticed how the other woman was watching her, but ignored it for now. She was used to it.

 “That’s where I was born and grew up... much further North than here.” She was about to say something about how that had been until those fucking Romans took her lands, but she managed to stop herself. It was probably better to talk about Aius or Aia – and why did she say Aius first anyway? “What about you, Aia? I’ve only seen Roman ladies use wigs to gain that color of hair – they must be envious of yours. So where were you born?”

@Chevi

The nobleman’s cock he just came from was fine. But it was a nobleman, he paid for Helios’ time and body and made sure Helios knew all about that! This however, was something else. Calvunus was good looking and friendly, he was fun and he had agreed to let Helios get the feeling of him, despite that he ought to pay. Helios had wanted Calvunus and he definitely got him now – and it felt even better because of that. His current partner wasn’t paying and he was simply giving into what Helios wanted… and by gods he knew how to fuck!

 Helios grunted with every thrust, the heat had definitely spread all over him too and he could even forget how cold the wall was. He teased Calvunus about the frozen balls and the other managed to reply through his heavy breath, apparently preferring to fuck rather than pray. Helios understood that all too well - the gods had never helped him much, had they? But sex, that's what kept him alive. Meanwhile he was stroking himself, and although Calvunus came before Helios managed to get so far, it still felt damn good. He’d definitely have a bruise on his cheek after the last hard thrusts, but it didn’t matter.

 Calvunus slowly relaxed, wrapping arms around Helios’ body and thanked him, “Who needs another brat, when you can have me?” Helios chuckled, leaning against Calvunus' embrace with a small smile. Yes, he knew how to get what he wanted too – it definitely didn’t harm his ego that he managed to convince Calvunus to fuck him, despite how the other had acted first. He pushed his tunica down in place again, “Maybe you’re so grateful you’ll have to thank me another time.” He said and wriggled to turn around to lean against the wall, “You know where I live, after all.”

@Gil

Claudia Caesaris was a sweet and beautiful young woman, who had been through a lot. Cynane had learned that at least, after she’d been here almost two years, working as a guard for the young princess. And while Claudia had probably never had a day of hard work in her life, Cynane still cared about her, for reasons she could not quite grasp. The girl was a princess, after all, and her life could not have been much more different from the life Cynane had. Her childhood was happy, her youth had a lot of fighting in it and then the battle where her party lost and she was taken captive and became a gladiatrix in Rome a year after… but at least she was no longer on the sands, no, she was here in the palace and her life had definitely improved, even if she was still a slave. And even if she still had her opinions about the Romans and their way of life.

 Today she had little to do, it seemed. Claudia was staying in the palace and she was having some visitors over today. She knew the family, as they sometimes did visit the imperial family and did attend social events here. They were safe, Cynane judged. Once the guests had arrived, Cynane was instructed to stay nearby and alert, as always, but they didn’t want to be interrupted, so she settled down in a nearby more open area of the palace, watching everyone who’d come and go in the direction of her young Domina. There had been another with the visitors though, who apparently also had to give them some privacy after being introduced, so Cynane was soon joined by their servant, or whatever she was.

 She was dressed somewhat strangely – not as a guard, like Cynane, but she wasn’t dressed entirely feminine either, like most other women. She didn’t have long hair like most women either – even like Cynane – but it wasn’t entirely short either. She was pretty though, she decided, especially quite liking the red hair. She didn’t look very Roman to Cynane. Meanwhile Cynane was in the usual garb for her job, although not the fancy garb she wore for social events and when going out... but she wore her long, blonde hair in three braids collected into one long braid, starting from the top of her head, and she had her light blue tunica and the brown breeches and good sandals on her feet. She also wore her leather vest and had a belt and a blade by her side; she would never go without it. She probably appeared quite fierce compared to most other women in Rome, who were not gladiators.

 Cynane decided to speak to the woman, who seemed to not be entirely sure of where to go in the great palace, “Salve.” Cynane greeted the redhead, “I’m Cynane, Claudia Caesaris’ guard, in case they didn’t tell you. You are with my Domina’s guests today?” She spoke her Latin very well, but it was impossible to hide the accent of Britannia, because Latin was not her mother tongue. 

@Chevi

He would feel bad for her, if he knew exactly how stressed she was and how much she’d needed this bit of fun and release. Alexius might mostly be a man of action, he was not good at sitting still and he enjoyed a good drink, a good fight and a good fuck. But that didn’t mean he was without emotion and he definitely felt for the Roman women, whether they be married and lived under the thumb of their husband or if they were not married and the Roman society worked hard to pressure them to get married instead of ruling their own lives. He rather liked that his mistress here was in charge of her own life. Sure she had a father, but he mostly lay in his bed and Alexius had barely seen the man. He was here for Oriana… and he was definitely here for her tonight!

 It wouldn’t be bad that she stopped, because he knew they’d continue soon enough. She seemed excited to hear that he claimed his turn once they got to her bed, but then she moved off him and they got out of the bath to dry at least a little off with towels. She promised him she was more than ready and wrapped the towel around her body. He smiled and followed her out of the bathing room, past the slaves, ignoring their glances at the naked former gladiator. Did she like the scars, he shortly wondered, while she barked some orders to the slaves. His body definitely wasn’t without them, he lived almost ten years of his life in the arena, after all. But it didn’t matter. Not now anyway. Tonight was a night to live now and not yesterday, after all. 

When Oriana was done, they moved on and finally arrived at her chamber. He knew where it was – it was, after all, right next to his own. He’d already watched her move into her chamber for the night, all alone there, but she wouldn’t be tonight. And if she wanted him again, well he would never be far away. And tonight, he was here. She closed the door, removed the towel and wondered if he was ready.

 He didn’t speak, but there was a spark in his eye as he moved over to her, literally swept her off her feet and up into his arms so that he could carry her to the bed and lay her down. There he’d climb on top of her, letting his hands and lips explore her body and her breasts, before he stole a heated kiss from her lips, “One thing you will know about me, Oriana… I’m never not ready…” Meaning if she wanted him again, he’d be there. He might be in his 30’s now and while some men needed less sex with age… Alexius hadn’t come that far yet. He settled between her legs to enter her once again.

@Sydney

The nobleman looked at her and she remained silent when he began speaking to her. Of course she understood his words – she’d lived in Rome more than ten years now, she knew how to speak their language by now. He told her that she was going to protect Claudia, the young woman, also in places where men were not permitted. And she had to keep Claudia safe. He also said he hoped they could become friends. Cynane arched a brow at this, wondering what she could possibly have in common with the princess, but she knew better than to speak her mind right now.

 Cynane was also told she might be freed if she served well – and he wondered if she preferred life in the arena to this. Well she knew what to say to that.

 “It will be an honor to serve here, Dominus. You can be certain I will watch over her as desired, when and where that should be.” She said, her words perfect, but of course there would be an accent. She didn’t grow up here and this was not her mother tongue. Then she looked at the young woman, who still sat in her chair, just staring at her. Wasn’t she pleased? That she’d have a gladiatrix for bodyguard? If she’d seen Cynane in the arena, she must know she was good with weapons and very alert… and strong.

 “That is, of course, if the young Domina is pleased with her gift. Her will, my life, Dominus.” Cynane added, she might not have been entirely broken as a slave, but at least she had paid attention and she knew how to act.

@Gothic

Hello Drusus and welcome! I have some ideas for you;

Tertius is my senator, he's in his early 40's and I am thinking he and Lucius might know each other, in case Lucius has been in Northern Gaul years ago, when Tertius was there too. Now they're both in Rome, it sounds like they're both back-benchers in the senate, trying to stay neutral and out of trouble. Tertius has a 9 year old daughter from his late wife, so they're also both widows. They have a lot in common and I see some kind of friendship here, what say you?

Cynane is someone Lucius might know, because he's fond of gladiator games. She was a gladiatrix from 63 until 72 AD and made a name of herself, before she was chosen to become personal bodyguard to Gothy's Claudia Caesaris. Could be fun to see how she and Lucius might interact.

Alexius has also been in the gladiator-business, until he was freed in 60 AD and became a lanista for a short period. Then he left Rome, but came back and he's worked as a guard and henchman for various nobles from 64 AD until now (he's now employed by Oriana Laecinia. Maybe Alexius has worked for Lucius at some point in the past, if he ever needed protection. He might also remember Alexius from his gladiator days, back then he was known as Lexus. They could become friends or just old acquaintances if you like.

Let me know what you think  

@Drusus

Alexius didn’t really find brothels disgusting, nor whores, but he just didn’t see why he should pay for sex when he knew he was perfectly capable of getting it for free. Like right now. He still had his good looks, after all, and it didn’t go unnoticed by others. Hearing Oriana tell him he was good at this just made it all even better – his self-confidence definitely didn’t take any harm. Not that he had done a lot yet, other than asking her to join him. She was the one who kissed him first and now she was on top. A true little mistress, wasn’t she? And how he enjoyed serving her right now!

 She smiled prettily at his words and didn’t seem to mind at all, how he grasped her hair and kissed her heatedly. The kiss broke again though and although she never stopped moving, she wondered if they should go to the bedroom.

 “Sure.” He said, because that did sound like a good idea. His hand still buried in her hair and with that he pulled her closer, nipped at her ear and spoke, his breath brushing her sensitive skin too “… and then it’s my turn. And you won’t regret it.” And that was definitely a promise! He was smiling and then he waited for her to slow down and get off him. The cloth for getting dry wasn’t too far away from the bath and he winked at her before he left the water.

 He picked one cloth up and handed one to her once she got up too. Not that he chose to spend a long time getting dry, just the worst was wiped off. Alexius wasn’t exactly shy, so there were no plans on getting dressed to walk to her bed and he looked at her with a grin, waiting to see what she’d do, “Ready when you are… still…”

@Sydney

For Alexius, social class didn’t really matter so much when it came to who he shared pleasure with. He had slept with so many by now, high and low, noblewomen and slaves and all those in between and men too – although when it came to men, they tended to be closer to his own rank, at least now. When he was a gladiator, it was different of course. But it didn’t matter. Sex was sex, it was there to be enjoyed and anyone could enjoy it… and he could enjoy it with anyone. And he could definitely enjoy the feeling of his new mistress’ lips on his and her body close to his too.

 Oriana had definitely chosen an experienced man to do this with. He didn’t know she had gone two years without sex and if he knew, he might have felt sorry for her and wanted to please her sooner. But he had to figure out if she wanted to, first, and well… here they were. In the bath, with the hot water and she was now on top of him. When he moved back to sit on the bench under the water, her legs easily wrapped around his and he let her know he was ready. She said she needed him and he helped her adjust and let out a sigh when he finally went inside.

 “Have me, then…” He said through his breath, but she was already at it, the water splashing over the edges of the bath, but it didn’t matter. Alexius held his hands on her hips as she seemed to want and his lips found her throat and collarbones, just where he knew the skin was sensitive. Gods she felt good! And she wasn’t being quiet either, the whole villa must know what was going on, but did it matter? It was her place. She could do whatever she wanted to.

 He couldn’t help but smile when she complimented him and he grinned when she moaned, “Oh? I feel you’re doing… all the hard work right now…” He said, trying to speak through his own moans and heavy breath, “… but thanks.” He added with a smirk, his one hand sliding from her hip and down to her bottom again. This was so good, just what he needed! And wouldn’t he like to fuck her too? Although this felt pretty good too and he was not about to complain. She did promise him she’d need him close all night, so he had that to look forwards to. Alexius reached his hand up then to grab a handful of her hair, turning her head so that he could kiss her again. Such sweet lips! How lucky it was for him that she had no husband, wasn’t it?

@Sydney

Cynane didn’t really feel awkward around men – she was more often annoyed by them though, especially Roman men. She felt that in Britannia, the men respected the women more. You’d never see a woman fight in the Roman army, for example. Yet where she grew up, it was more or less as expected that a woman would pick up weapons, just like men. At least in her family. In Rome, it wasn’t like that. And this man was not much different from the rest, she thought, because he did not seem to approve of her garb or equipment. He’d probably prefer a woman in a dress, so she couldn’t run or fight so well. So she could not resist him. This might just be the only good thing about having been a gladiatrix and now a guard. She hadn't been forced to become a submissive house slave. 

Cynane certainly had plenty of prejudices against Roman men! He introduced himself to her and then just continued to look at her. Was that it? That’s all he wanted? She doubted that very much!

 “Salve, Gaius. I’m Cynane.” She replied, daring to look up at him. She might be a slave, but she was also the bodyguard of a princess and she had just as much right to be here as he had… it was weird though, that he just stood there and she arched a brow, “Can I help you with anything, Gaius?”

@Echo

She seemed more and more relaxed, as she sat there in the bath, scrubbing herself in front of Alexius. And while it was nice with the slave doing it all for him, he didn’t need it and he was plenty clean now to be elsewhere than by this side of the bath. So it only made sense to offer to scrub her back – and they both knew it was an excuse, didn’t they? That all he wanted was to get close to her and when she agreed it would be helpful, it was obvious she wanted the same. She had smiled when he asked and now she moved over to him and handed him the cloth.

 She turned her back to him then and he looked her over; her smooth skin, her pretty neck, the hair which was slightly wet by the tips now. He pushed the strands of hair out of the way, his fingers brushing lightly over her skin, hopefully teasing her and wanting to feel them more.

 He dipped the cloth into the warm water and then ran it over her shoulders and the upper part of her back, while she made sure the slave left. When Cronus was gone, Alexius’ hands disappeared under the water and his hands were on her sides, when she turned in his almost-embrace and kissed him. Alexius welcomed the kiss, letting her push him back against the side of the bath, so that he’d be sitting and she would pin him there. Well as much as she could pin him; she was much smaller than he and he enjoyed that part. Alexius liked his women quite feminine and Oriana was perfect.

 While they kissed, his hands roamed over her body, exploring it, fondling her breasts and her bottom and pulling her closer. It was almost more than he could take and since she was plenty close to him, she’d definitely feel something hard underneath the water… and it wouldn’t be the stone bench he sat on. Then he broke the kiss, looking at her with a saying grin on his face, “I’m ready when you are… Oriana…” By now it wasn’t awkward for him to speak her name like this and especially not now. Gods this woman needed to ride him, now!

@Sydney

If he wasn’t cheeky, he wouldn’t really be Helios, now would he? And Helios too knew it when he wanted something and knew how to get it. When Calvunus compared him to Fascinus, he almost felt flattered and then he smirked, when the guard asked him to not tell Marcus, because he’d get envious? Well that might be an understatement, with how he knew Marcus so far!

 “You think he will be? I won’t utter a word.” But he couldn’t promise that he would not prefer Calvunus over Marcus after tonight. If Calvunus felt as good as he hoped… because now the other decided to turn him around and Helios easily moved when instructed to do so. Placing his one hand against the wall and he felt Calvunus hike up his tunica. It might be cold tonight, but he licked his lips and thought there was a heat spreading in his body now. He grinded his backside against his companion, barely able to wait now. Luckily Calvunus was also busy raising his own clothes and getting ready, “I like being worshipped…” Helios just managed to say, before something hard and hot was pressing against him and entering. He let out a gasp by the feeling; no this wouldn’t be bad at all he thought to himself.

 His free hand found his own member then, to enhance the feeling of what was going on behind him, “Your balls… definitely don’t feel like they’re about to fall off…” Helios said with a grin in the heat between them, the mood light and intense at the same time.

@Gil