Atrice

She was so glad that she was able to make him laugh. Hopefully he'd like that about her. She knew her father wanted them to get along, because he wanted her to find a proper husband and this might be one. So far, she thought she might not mind being married to him. He knew so many things and had seen and experienced so much, but that didn't seem to have made him hard or anything. No, rather the opposite. She smiled as he laughed, mentioning the treasures buried in Britannia. It was kind of a weird thing to bury your valuables, why not sell them or take them with you? Or make it into something else, rather than hide it forever? For example that set of golden jewelry that looked so heavy to wear. And so expensive! Think if they also buried stuff like that. But it made her curious, the gold. She bet he had a story for that too. And he did. Apparently the daughter of a king in Britannia... did that make the woman a princess? But apparently she must have been enslaved and then sold. Poor woman, she thought to herself. Think to have been a princess and then become a slave. Think to have worn gold like that, and then be turned into nothing. She couldn't help but feel a bit sad for the woman, even though she never met her. But that's how things were. That's how you did things, she knew that. Still she grew up with her slaves around her and in the country, they'd been more friends than someone beneath her, at least that's how she saw it. Rome was different regarding that too. But Lucius was talking, said he'd become a legate at a young age and then he brought home this spoil. One of the first. Must be precious to him too then. And now he would have her wear it? She doubted it would look good on her. It was a big and heavy ring. "If you promise my neck won't break under it." She said with a grin, but then nodded, "But if you insist." And that was that, she'd try some jewelry that once belonged to a princess from Britannia! She took the heavy neck ring and turned it in her hands, before she looked up at him again, "But I think... you'll have to help me." @Sara

Was she being too childish? But really this was all very exciting and she loved hearing about it all. She grew more and more happy that she decided to ask Lucius about his favorite object, because it seemed to make him happy and how could that not make her happy in return? She felt him watching her as she watched the figurine she showed him, but men did that. They watched women. They liked to look at them, as her father would say. So she let him and didn't mention it, not even as she stood again to ask why the figurine was his favorite. And at first, he didn't seem to know how to answer that, as if he never thought about it. Then, after some consideration, he smiled again and began telling her the story about awful weather in Britannia and how they had found the figurine and it became a mascot. Sosia grew quiet while he talked, just listening, a bit jealous that she was not a man and would never have such experiences to look back upon. The way he told the story and the way he smiled was almost boyish to her and she thought that maybe she wasn't too childish after all. He was very sweet! Who would have known that a man such as this one, a military one, would be both charming, handsome and sweet at the same time? She chuckled when he said the story must be boring. "No! No... it wasn't boring at all! I can't imagine what it must have been like, but it must have been so exciting to dig and then suddenly find a treasure there. I wonder what else is hiding underneath the dirt?" She mused, "And it sounds like such a fond memory to you, you're lucky to have it. Hmm..." She glanced around, feeling she wanted more stories, both because it was interesting and because he was so sweet when he told them, "What about this golden jewelry? It is gold, isn't it? It looks so heavy! Did you see them wearing it?" @Sara

Pinaria was a composed and very practical woman. And she had forced herself to move on from the attack, because she had her son to consider, and her family and the future of herself and her son. She had had a hard time at first, but she fought through it. Meeting Ovinia had helped and it also made her see, that what happened to her was absolutely nothing. She would rather help others get through something worse. But she still knew it was bad, what happened to her. And she still had the scar and if Gaius was to be her husband, he might one day ask questions and she'd rather be honest from the beginning. That's how you built a good marriage. Gaius listened, until she was done and then he set down his cup, watching her. Then wondered, naturally, as expected, if her attacker had simply cut her or done more. "Yes, he just cut me. It was horrible though. And when I learned he'd attacked so many others, even murdered people... I know I was lucky it wasn't worse, with me." She said, though she didn't feel lucky, even if she was. But there was no need to dwell on it. Gaius was being very kind about it all. Perhaps he was as composed and practical as her. "Thank you. Yes... I'm sorry too." She said and sipped her drink. The truth was out there now, with him. Few people knew. His brother knew, though. He'd taken her and Ovinia to see Tiberius. And now Gaius knew, she'd said what she came to say, so... "Does that change your opinion of me? @Sharpie

Seeing him smile like that at her question was so rewarding! She felt so happy to have made him smile and grin like that, simply by asking a question about his travels. He did seem fond of the memories he had, so there must be a favorite thing and maybe it would tell her something about him? He joked about his body slave having hidden it and she glanced at the slave, who just stood there, observing them. Almost too observant, she thought, but shook the thought off quickly again. Because Lucius was standing and asked her to follow him, so she set down her drink and did. They moved through the house and she looked around in awe, it really was so interesting. And she forgot completely to consider they’d be more alone here. He showed her a lovely display of various objects and she did gasp, seeing the axes on the wall. From Britannia! Impressive! But he had something he would show her, the best thing he brought from abroad and she followed him. The heavy looking jewelry was at least shiny, but she thought she preferred the lighter necklaces she had here. Think that there were people out there, who wore such things. Even if she wouldn’t like to do it, the thought of those people was kind of exciting. And Lucius had been there! Then he gestured to one particular object, a pretty figurine of some animal she’d never seen. A dragon? She tilted her head and crouched down a bit to get a better look, “It does, it is very interesting! We never had such things on display at home. From foreign countries.” Sosia said and stood again, looking up at him, “It’s a funny looking dragon, if that’s what it is. Why this one though? When you have so many things. And yet this is your favorite thing?” @Sara @Sharpie

Sosia did not just seem flustered, she felt like it too, but she tried to move on, as she’d now been stuck with Ovinia’s brother while Ovinia was busy. And she thought it might not be bad to talk to him, else she’d just have to go home, but this was nicer and more interesting. He was kind when he said she was not clumsy and said she could call him Lucius. Sosia glanced towards Ovinia, but she appeared very busy. “Yes, you may call me Sosia. Most people do.” She replied with a smile to him and then he moved on, began to talk about Caesar’s party. Caesar’s party? Oh, the party where she and Tiberius walked up to see the view over Rome and kissed. She blushed by the thought and thought about how she probably barely considered that Lucius here would be present, she did recall Ovinia being there, but then things took a different turn for herself. “Hispania sounds interesting. And there is no need to apologize, there were many people at that party.” She said to him, “Have you been in Rome since, then? Or did Hispania pull you back?” @Sarah @Sara

Hearing about the barbarians painting themselves blue was exciting. Honestly, she thought she might like to see that. But on the other hand, if they only did it to try and seem intimidating, you’d probably not want to see it. She shook her head, a bit confused at her own thoughts and tried to focus on him instead, as she had a fun idea, “I’ve no idea why either. Did you ever ask them?” She replied with a smile, that was clever, was it not? Instead of fighting, how about talking? But as far as she was concerned, men did like the fighting more than the talking. Then suddenly she found herself blabbering about Rome, and travels and fresh air and the countryside. And she stopped herself and apologized, but Lucius was again ever so kind and didn’t seem to mind at all. He admitted then, that he did also find the city stifling and like the country and liked to travel and seeing the world. She nodded, he made very good points there. He must be so experienced. In so many ways. She felt heat in her cheeks by the thought and bit her cheek so she wouldn’t bite her lip instead. Lucius said he’d been to Greece recently too and asked about her life then, “I did… it was nice. I know some consider me a bit… sheltered, I think? But I liked it out there. As I said, the fresh air and the vast lands and all. All the green.” She smiled by the thought, “I miss that. But I’ve never left Italia or been to any other country. It must be so exciting, to see all of that. And you brought so many things with you here!” She gestured to their surroundings, she thought she’d never grow bored here, there was so much to look upon! “You have such an interesting home. What’s the best thing you have from abroad?” @Sara @Sharpie

Tertius just enjoyed her kiss. She could have whatever reason for it and he wouldn’t know. He just knew his own feelings for her and how he enjoyed her tender care – he could only hope that it was genuine, but he would have it anyway. She was his to have. As she had been as a slave and now his wife. Their eyes met for a moment, before he kissed her again, after telling her that they should focus on the present and not the past. Charis returned his kiss, her hand touching his face and he leaned into her touch, before he moved to get up, thinking they’d been sitting here long enough now. His question was simply a question and not an order, but she smiled and got up too, saying she did want a bite to eat and wondered what he’d like. “If you want to. Surprise me.” Tertius said with a smile, certain she knew just what to pick for him. He was telling her, or trying to tell her, that he would trust her to find something good. Hopefully, she’d believe that. @Sara

Marcus shrugged, her explanation was good enough for why she didn't know how it worked. Honestly he wasn't that schooled either, not in this matter. His brother was much older than he and their lives had taken odd turns the whole time. He actually wasn't sure that his brother was really following the Honos Curum, so maybe Marcus was doing better here. Ovinia wondered where he'd like to serve and at least that one was easy, "I think... maybe Britannia? Because I was born there. But I can barely remember it. So I think I'd like to see it again, see if it's really as bad as some say." He replied, Ovinia was all chuckles and smiles now suddenly, but Marcus had grown far too serious now, after what happened. He didn't like that very much. Maybe he needed a drink. His head had begun to hurt again. So to get there, first they'd have to go outside... and he tried to be polite. Make it about her. She had pulled her palla around her, so maybe she was cold. She quickly agreed to leaving and was steps ahead of him before he'd even moved. Once outside, she dropped her palla again and wondered what his plans were now, "Yeah that was the plan all along." Marcus said, pulling at the edge of his hood to hide the bruises and the scar by his brow again, "And you're off to more temples I guess?" @Sara

She was honestly being kind of weird about this whole ordeal. Marcus tried to think back, it began after he'd told her to keep his secret and he'd owe her a favor. Then she began asking into the whole thing with the weird barber, who got executed in the arena, torn apart by beasts. Not that he saw it, but she did. Apparently because he hurt one of her slaves. She didn't reply, but just nodded when he asked if the girl was alright. Not that he cared a great deal about slaves, but when he heard the stories about that barber, he could imagine how bad it must have been for the victims. Perhaps even more now. And he kept musing and thinking about the whole thing, then wondering if Ovinia knew something he didn't. But the crazy man didn't tell her slavegirl anything, instead just said that the man wanted to do what he did. So he did it. Sick. Marcus frowned. He nodded at her words, hoping like her that nobody like that would walk in Rome, "Now that is something to pray for." Marcus said, noting how she wrapped her palla closer around her and then she asked into how his course of honor was going, "Uhm... when I'm done with this year, I suppose? But I think you have to apply for it. Then I'll be sent abroad somewhere. Maybe Lucius Longinus can put in a good word for me somewhere." He didn't have many other people who could. Well Tiberius of course, but he was currently avoiding him, so... and besides, it was not something he was looking forwards to so far, but it had to be done. He did have ambitions. He just had to... deal with himself first. And her! Ovinia of course, "Should we go outside again?" Maybe she was feeling cold, maybe that's why she wrapped the palla around her. Or maybe it was something else. Marcus was curious. @Sara

He knew it must be hard for her, this new life. Being his wife, having to live up to the demands of the wife of a Praetor. And even one who couldn't truly call herself his wife, because it was only words and not something they could write and decide it was so. Augustus made sure of that. He did many great things, but that one thing... Tertius did not find that very great at all. That all men should marry, but they could not marry their own former slave and now freedwoman. Yet he would treat her as his wife. And demand that everyone else did the same. After all he'd put her through, that was the least he could do for her now, right? Sure he could do more. But then he would risk losing her... and more importantly, his son. And that, he could not risk. So he couldn't ever set her entirely free. Not unless she would give up Peregrinus, and he did not think she ever would. But he did care for her. And she said she knew and that she was grateful for him giving her freedom. This conversation had taken many turns, had it not? And now she brought it all back to the beginning, the day he bought her. Broken, but beautiful. She kissed him softly, almost sadly, he felt, but he returned her kiss and stroked her cheek gently, meeting her eyes, "Let's keep our minds on the present. What we have now. And what will come." Tertius said with a soft smile back to her. She was very sweet, whatever was on her mind. And they'd been sitting here for a good while now. He pressed another kiss to her lips, so soft and warm and lovely as always. He did care for her... and didn't like to just leave her here, "I need to get up and move on with the day. Perhaps a bite to eat? Will you join me?" Tertius asked as he pulled back again, getting ready to get up. @Sara

He was being so sweet, wasn't he? She had to cast her eyes down at his kind compliments, when he said she was modest because she didn't think a legion of men adored her. But she wasn't, it was true! Her father was very protective and wanted the perfect husband for her, both for the sake of money and alliances and for her sake too. And now she could not help but think that he might adore her, Lucius here that was, "You really are too kind, Lucius." She said with a small grin to him and sipped her drink, because if this was how it began, she would need more wine to keep up with him! How was he so easily charming? And how was she so easily charmed? She tried to keep the conversation going, wondering more about their connection and he explained easily, how he'd been a legate in Britannia with Horatia's husband and they had been friends ever since. Oh how would that be like, having someone like that? They shared experiences, rough ones too probably, and that brought them together and made them friends forever. She hoped she'd have such friends when she was his age. Not that he was that old. Just older than her. She looked at him, his smile made his face light up in a certain way. Yes, he was definitely handsome. Gods, Sosia! Do you forget Tiberius this easily? She was about to take another sip to steady herself, when he asked if she would like to travel. "But do they really? Paint themselves blue? I did hear about that." She said, "It does all sounds very exciting! I don't think I'd mind traveling. I didn't grow up in Rome. It's nice here, but... forgive me... sometimes I miss breathing in fresh air. And seeing how far the country stretches." She paused, maybe she spoke too freely, and she looked at him with an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to just blabber like that. Do you like to travel, Lucius?" @Sara

She gave him a smile, when he commented that her son would not have her full attention if things worked out between them. That was true. She looked him over, he certainly was a handsome man. Pinaria wasn't quite sure she was in love, in fact she was quite sure of it, but she liked him and that was far better than what some noble ladies had to suffer with their husbands and their fathers arranging the match, without the young lady having anything to say. And liking someone could grow into more. What mattered most was that she did like him and that she thought he'd make a good husband and father to her son. He needed that. But then she changed the subject, because she had to tell him about the attack. He'd see the scar upon her arm one day and he might wonder about it. Gaius had of course heard about the Senator that was murdered and wondered why she brought it up. "No... no, I didn't know him." Pinaria said, "It's a little bit... strange, to tell you this, but I feel that I must. It wouldn't be right for me to continue our relation, without you knowing this. But you can't share it with anyone else." She said, looking at him with a certain look, hoping he'd understand, "You see, that murderer, he also attacked people in Rome, without killing them. He hurt them. Not intimately, but he cut them. Many people." Pinaria paused and sipped her drink, before looking at him again, "Mostly women. I'm one of them." And with that, she stopped, kept on watching him for his reaction. Would he be disgusted or something? Feel pity? The only people who knew were her family, the people who caught the killer and Tiberius. But her future husband did deserve to know too. She just hoped that he would accept the facts and how she felt about it, and attempt to move on... like she had.

Marcus was watching her, glad to have something else to focus on instead of just his own pain... and noted how she was looking away and the way she exhaled a breath. Oh she definitely knew something about the now-dead barber. Ovinia then looked up at him and he wondered what stories she'd heard about that man. She then said that he'd hurt one of her own slaves, but the slave was not tortured, so that could be why there was not a trial. And then she asked into why the barber had done it all and said she was glad that he was gone and that he did suffer. "Yeah such people should suffer. I heard it was very gruesome. But I didn't see it for myself." He said, "I'm sorry about your slavegirl, I hope she wasn't too badly maimed. And I have no idea why the man did what he did. There's a lot of gossip going around. Like, he even hurt his own slaves and many of them died because of it. But he didn't tell Tiberius why he did it. Maybe he was just nuts." Marcus said with a shrug, but kept musing about it, "Why do you think he did it? He didn't say anything to your slavegirl?"

She liked the way he chuckled and said she could call him Lucius. Sosia nodded with rosy cheeks, "Lucius it is then. It's nice to meet you." She added, remembering to be polite when she had the chance. Her father had said she should be polite and she wanted to be. But it was hard when he was so tall and kept being so cheerful, like when he said she was a flatterer for calling him kind, "Am I? So are you." She said with a smile back to him, he was the one who began with complimenting her and the flowers in her hair, after all. They did seem to like those, the men she'd met. Tiberius liked them too. But this was not Tiberius. She scolded herself within for thinking about him when this handsome man right here deserved her full attention. Sosia was quite sure they would never allow Tiberius to marry her. But Lucius here, that was a different matter. And she did want a husband and learn all the secrets wives knew. She did want that. So she had to focus. Quietly now, she followed him towards the garden, her own cup in hand too and she took a sip when she got the chance. They arrived at a large bench, where a tray with light snacks had been set up for them and the slave pulled away when they came. Gaia, her own body slave, did the same and she sat down when Lucius invited her to do so. She sat and smoothed out her dress with one hand, folding her legs neatly by the ankles. Then she looked up at Lucius, who was running a hand through his soft-looking hair and he began speaking of their meeting and how she must have other men wanted to meet her. "Not a legion, I think. That is quite a lot of men, isn't it?" She said with a small smile, "But there are some. And they call me Sosia. There are plenty of Horatia's in our family already." She added with a chuckle and sipped her drink. Now came the hard part with someone you didn't know. Keeping the conversation going... "I heard you know my cousin's husband, Aulus?"

Tertius' smile faded and was replaced with a slightly worried expression, when she sighed and said she could use some friends. So it wasn't just something he wanted for her, she wanted it too. And other friends than former slaves or actual slaves, like her friend Cynane. Tertius touched her hand gently, "We'll have to work towards that then." He said with a comforting smile, hoping it would help that she also had his support in this. And she did need to get out anyway. Soon she might need to help looking for potential husbands for Antonia, who would need a chaperone. That would be a good task for Charis. Give her something to do and focus on. She then asked into what his late wife did as a hobby and he replied, but honestly he wasn't all that sure. And she gave him all that she could and they had a good marriage. She didn't give him a son to call his heir though. But he valued his daughter highly and loved her. And he had a son to call his heir now, so all had not been lost. Charis wondered then out loud what he needed from his wife this time. The question surprised him and how was he supposed to answer that? He kind of knew. But it was still hard to explain. And yet... simple? "What I need from my wife... is her." He then said, "I am still hoping for a happy marriage with you. I do care about you." Tertius explained and then inhaled a small breath, because it was not often he'd come to admit these things, "More than you know, probably." Which was why he wanted then to have a happy marriage, and wanted to see her smile, and would have a brat beaten up for her... he would do this for her, and more. If only she'd let him.

Marcus gave him a look, when Lucius spoke of burning buildings, "A damn tinderbox filled with crude and rude people." He replied, because while Lucius took care of the burning buildings, he also brought people to Marcus, like the man they just brought in. People who deserved nothing more but to be locked up for good. Although not all people who beat others ended up in the prisons. Some apparently had certain rights or were just powerful enough to avoid it. He sighed and then luckily Lucius changed the topic. Which made Marcus let out an amused laugh, "Marriage prospects? For me?" Marcus chuckled, "Definitely no. It's way too soon. Besides, I need to... have a little more to call my own first. Imagine getting married and then go 'oh, but we'll live in my friend Tiberius' home, I haven't got my own'. So... no." He said and looked at Lucius with interest, "What about you? Since you brought it up..."

He chuckled when she judged that good upbringing was what made her perfect. But it was more than that. She was beautiful, smart, funny... her kisses were amazing and so was her body. Alexius enjoyed feeling it, as he reached out for her. It wasn't so deep that he couldn't stand, but then she splashed water at him again and he chuckled again and let his feet catch the sand underneath him. Pulling her all the way over to him, "Let's practice that some more?" He suggested with a grin, holding her tight with one arm, while the other hand would wander over her body. Alright, he'd postponed it long enough. His body told him so. It probably wasn't very long, but how could he keep his hands off of her and how could he resist her, when she was like this? He couldn't and he might as well just admit that. Alexius plucked a kiss from her lips, "If you want to. I know I do." He always did, didn't he?

Tertius watched her as she sighed and wondered if she would embarrass herself with the other fancy ladies, "But the more time you spend with them, the more rules you'll learn. Maybe you'll even make some friends? Once they see how lovely you really are." Tertius said with a smile, wanting to encourage her to spend time with the other ladies and go on social visits, so they could get used to her... and she to them. He could not properly call her his wife, but he did it anyway and by now he simply didn't care that it wasn't exactly right. She was his wife in everything but legal title. And he wanted her to be treated as such. But she still didn't know what to do with all her time. He lay down beside her again, on his side, to watch her while she considered what to do. She then carefully asked what his late wife had done with her days. "I... am honestly not entirely sure. She went on plenty of social visits, I know that. We had a bit of a special understanding between us, it's hard to explain. But she was and gave me everything I needed from a wife at the time." Because she was his wife, and together with others and in public, they acted like a good and perfect married couple. They never argued. They also slept together to produce an heir, which gave him his only daughter, but made him lose her. But besides that, they lived separate lives. He had his slave Anteros. She was also very fond of her own body slave, he could barely remember her name now. But they got along and married out of duty and respect for each other - they agreed to live like they did. That's why she'd been so perfect. But he wasn't quite sure that anyone else would understand what they had. He sighed by the thought of that, his marriage now was very different and he had more romantic feelings for Charis than he ever had for Antonia. It was different now.

He gave her a surprised look, when it appeared that she knew the exact prisoner he was talking about. Was it that easy to guess from his description? But did they mention at the execution why the man was getting such a death? Marcus had not been present for it, he had been busy with something else, probably some party that had to do with the festival being held at that time. But he then nodded at her words, "Yes, that's the one. He was a barber, they said." Marcus watched her with more interest, as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and wanted to know more. Wait, did she know something about that whole affair? They said he'd assaulted several people in Rome and the rumors back then had spread easily and quickly... by the sounds of it, he'd murdered many people and he had cut people because he wanted to drink their blood or something. And some said he ate them. Or that he was the leader of some strange cult or religion or something. Marcus didn't know what to believe, he only knew that it sounded disgusting. But Rome held more strange people than one might guess. He knew that now. "I didn't talk much to him, no... but Tiberius came to see him and talk to him. The barber, he acted oddly superior, towards Tiberius. Like, thought he held the high ground, although he was behind bars. He was... weird." Marcus said, still watching her, "Did you hear the stories about what he did to people? I don't know if half of it is true though."

Sosia had always been a polite and well-raised young woman so far - she was kind and sweet and friendly and didn't step out of line. She wasn't up to mischief. Her father thankfully knew that and that may be why he sent her on her way to meet Longinus without any other chaperone but her body slave. Thank the gods he didn't know how she'd kissed Tiberius at that party, or visited the villa alone with him. But this was no time to think about Tiberius. She was meeting a possible future husband. She had to pay attention to him. And please him somehow. She stood quietly in the atrium, awaiting someone who would greet her and welcome her. There were many odd trinkets and objects on shelves and stands all over, so at least she was not bored. There was plenty to look at. And then he was there... a tall man with dark hair and handsome eyes, taking her in as she did him. She almost forgot to breathe when he smiled at her and greeted her. "Not for long. You must be him... I mean... Lucius. Longinus." She blushed as she stopped talking, since stumbling over the words and names and all didn't help. Gods he must think her so dumb and inexperienced. She cast her eyes down and some woman called through the house about letters to draft. Right, her father did talk about this Longinus living with his mother. Maybe that's another reason why he sent her off alone. Because there was another mature woman in the house at least. She tried to calm herself, feeling a bit flustered already, and they'd barely met. Longinus then spoke up again, about the heat and a drink in the garden. And then he complimented her. "You think them nice? I'm glad you're pleased. I don't think I'd mind a drink." She said and a slave appeared with a tray with wine. She took a cup and thanked the slave briefly, he looked friendly too, if maybe a little stiff. Then she looked up at Longinus again, "You're very kind."

Late September, 77AD She was now 19 years old and still without a husband. Her father had certainly looked into the matter several times and although her last fiancé died, it didn't mean he'd paused in doing so. But Sosia was his only daughter and her future husband had to be just perfect for her - and understand what she was like and how to handle her. She'd long since gotten used to Rome, at least more or less. She still missed the countryside sometimes, and her kittens, but Rome was really an interesting place. Like Ovinia told her, something was always happening here and Rome was never boring. She did like it. She only wished her father would find her a husband, decide on one, so she could please her father. And her future husband. She did grow more and more anxious to get married, because there was so much she wanted to do and experience. And since she didn't know if she'd meet Ovinia's brother again and couldn't have Tiberius... she would have to settle for someone else to help her through those experiences. Hopefully someone just right! Her father got a letter not long ago from one Lucius Cassius Longinus, who wished to meet her. Her father was surprised, but decided it would be good for them to meet. Sosia understood it was a prominent name and that he had plenty of military experience behind him - and he had even been married before and already had a daughter. But he wanted a new wife and Sosia might be the lucky one, if he was to her liking and she to his. And both of them together to her father. There were a lot of ends that had to meet for it to be just right! And to think she'd come so close with Atratinus, but then he was murdered... apparently it was hard finding the right man. Along with her body slave Gaia she arrived at this Longinus house in Rome, dressed up nicely in a light pink and white chiton, with a matching palla and pink flowers in her hair. Gaia said, while they waited to be invited inside, that she was very pretty, almost like a young goddess or something. Sosia blushed by the sweet words from her slave, and then the door was opened. What a beginning! She was curious to see what Longinus would be like. Hopefully he was at least handsome and kind. That would be a good start. And she would like that very much.

Tertius nodded at her little smile and comment on him being content with his latest slave from Britannia, "You're right... I am plenty content with you. More than that." He added with a softness to his voice and said that she might have a body slave from Britannia. He supposed that what mattered most was that she got one, because she needed to learn how to act like the wife of a Praetor. And it would still be his slave to control. So yes, maybe she would have one. Then she mentioned she needed a hobby and he agreed with that, it would be good if she got something to do. She mused about what to do, maybe visiting women of Tertius' class and find out what they did. "That's a good idea, to pay some social visits. Then they'll also see there's nothing wrong with our understanding." He wanted to call it marriage, but technically it was not that, and the other high-born women would not fully accept the idea of their marriage he thought. But she could still visit them and make them see that she was an ordinary woman, and she just wanted to do her best and learn what was right to do, "I feel we discussed what women do, before. I don't really know much about it, to be honest. I know many of the Patrician ladies work with charities and social events. But I'm not sure that would be for you?"

It wasn't really that it was awkward that she'd be his friend, but it was just something that never occurred to him before. When he first encountered her, like really encountered her and talked to her, she had been something he wanted, like it was with most pretty girls. But that was awhile ago now and he wasn't the same as back then. Especially not at the moment. He fully expected he'd be back to his old self soon though, but that was not the case right now. The beating was not long ago, it was still hurting and Ovinia now knew something had happened to him. At least she didn't leave and he thanked her for being his friend. And then thought that at least he could try and offer her a favor or anything. At first she didn't seem to have any ideas, but then suddenly she had one right now. She referred to his work in the prisons and asked if they had anyone famous there. "It's... I guess it is what you imagine. Dirty and smelly and rough. Many of the people who come there are horrible people. Foul language and crude behavior." He explained, "I don't know if we got anyone famous very recently." Marcus said, putting a finger on his chin to think. Maybe she wanted stories, many people were very fascinated by criminals and stories about them, "There was one guy Tiberius came to see. He'd assaulted and murdered some people, including a Senator... he got a public execution. Without a trial. Not really the way we usually do things."

Tertius wondered what she was thinking about, when she spoke of getting a slave from Britannia. They did have plenty of slaves in the house, to accompany her for walks out of the house, so this must be a body slave she was talking about. And she wanted someone she could talk secretive to, clearly, else she would not want one from Britannia. She really was testing her boundaries now, wasn't she? Well, he would be the one buying the slave, so technically, the slave would be owned by him and not her. And he could make sure the slave would let him know, if Charis wasn't honest with him about it. She tried more to persuade him, reminding of his last slave from Britannia and Tertius smiled back at her, "I was. I am." Tertius added, "You'd not be worried I'd be too happy with another one?" He said with a wink, but it was just a jest, nothing more. He'd only really cared about one slave as much as her before, and that was Anteros... and that was more than a decade ago now. Yet he too was still not forgotten. And he'd sold him. Didn't allow him too close after all. With Charis, it was different. "Maybe I will let you have a body slave from Britannia." Tertius then added on a more serious note and had then commented that he hoped they were both still working towards a good marriage together. She promised she did consider that, but needed to be her. Freedom, he supposed, that's what she wanted. Well he didn't lend her much in the terms of their marriage, but he could allow her some. And her next idea was good, "Yes, that might be good for you. Besides the gardening and tending to Peregrinus, you should have more to do. Any ideas on what that might be?"

The water was a little bit cold, but not too much, not when you got used to it. And he could easily get used to it, when he had something else to focus on, like his own personal goddess in the water right now. He let out a laugh when she gasped after he splashed water on her, and then she turned and looked at him. He noticed how her eyes wandered over his body, he was not as far out in the water as she. And she had that look on her face, before she splashed water back on him. "You dare too!" Alexius said when the cool sprinkles hit his own body. She moved further out and he followed, swimming when it was deep enough, to catch up with her. All the way over to her, "How are you so... perfect?" He asked when he reached her and reached out for her body under the water. He'd not even made love to her yet, and already he felt as if this was even better than some Elysian field in the afterlife. It really was perfect.