Atrice

He knew she still had a hard time adjusting to life as a freedwoman as opposed to the life of a slave. Now she was not a slave, now he wanted her to have slaves. She'd yet to find herself a body slave and he thought she ought to have one. The more she acted like a Praetor's wife, the more easy it would be for others to respect her as such. And eventually then the gossip would die out. She promised to find someone to accompany her to the market and things like that and Tertius smiled, "I'd feel better if you did. And you can put a slave to good use anyway. Make them help you carry things and stuff like that." Tertius added, hoping that might inspire her further. Although really he wasn't sure what to think after this long conversation they had. She ended up agreeing with everything he said, yet he got the idea that it wasn't because she wanted to. More because she had to. And she just asked him to trust her. 

Now she said she knew how to take care of herself and she'd been in Rome for three years, "Hasn't it been longer? It feels like longer." Tertius said thoughtfully, because his thoughts were kind of elsewhere suddenly. They'd discussed some heavy subjects... the Silanus brat, children, her friend Cynane and her own safety... "I just want you to be safe, Charis. Safe and happy here with me. I hope that's something we're both still working on." 

This woman, right? She would just smile at him and then she would begin undressing first, right in front of him, right here on this beach out in the open, as if it was nothing. She had about as much shame as he, didn't she? And of course she wore absolutely nothing underneath her dress. She was Venus in person, wasn't she? Except she wasn't born from the water, she was walking into it. Alexius sighed by the sight, how could he not love and adore her and everything she was? And the way she'd tease him like this, gods! 

He shook his head with an amused grin for himself and then easily got out of his own clothes, leaving them in a pile further up than hers - before simply walking through the water and out to where she was, "With such beauty you possess, I think I need to guard you very closely." Alexius said when he'd almost reached her and splashed some water up on her backside.

He nodded, he recalled how it had been very important for Charis to have Cynane there, when she was giving birth. And also how strange it had been with a slave in the house that wasn't his. And wasn't his to control either, because she was there for Charis' sake and he'd allowed it. And now Charis was free and her friend was not. It must be strange, he thought to himself. How did her friend take Charis' freedom?

But now she talked about how Cynane helped her when she was lost in Rome, he considered if she shouldn't actually have a guard with her, when she went out. But she looked at him and laughed, wondering what could happen to her. 

"Things do happen. Cynane helped you when you were lost. And then there was that other gladiatrix, who was there when you were attacked in the streets. And you also mentioned that the gladiator Alexius helped you..." Tertius did remember all of those cases she'd mentioned to him before. She got into trouble, didn't she? "Rome isn't safe, you should know that by now. Maybe not a guard. A slave then?" He would feel better if she wasn't entirely alone when she went out. Why didn't he consider this before? What if Peregrinus lost his mother and Tertius another wife? 

Alexius smiled when she chuckled, "It does. Very much." He said with a playful tone, but then they were discussing a swim and would it be so bad, if was trying to get her out of her clothes? And would it be very surprising, really, if that's what he was trying? But he did also want to try and bathe in the sea; the few times he'd seen the sea he hadn't tried bathing or swimming in it, but here they were alone and it just looked so nice. 

She wondered if he could swim, so that he could save her if something happened, "I can swim. I swim in the baths of Rome." Alexius said. He'd been able to swim since he was a child, he must have learned it before he came to Rome. He vaguely remembered a lake in a forest near the village, where he'd go to play and swim. 

"And I won't let anything happen to you, by the way. I am your bodyguard, after all. I'm going to guard you very carefully..." He said and pulled back, glancing around again. Just to make sure it would be safe to undress here, in front of a lady, with no one else in sight.

Marcus wondered how in the name of Jupiter a charioteer and a slave could be so close with someone like Vibia. He couldn't afford her. Then how on Earth could a charioteer? Did they have more coin than he? It didn't seem fair. That his brother had blown it all up with the fire and now Marcus was left with nothing and couldn't get what he wanted. And a simple charioteer could. But he had his charming smile upon his face, while Marcus and another man joined Vibia and the braided charioteer. She introduced them all, the other man was also called Marcus and was head of the Whites faction. Marcus didn't recognize him. They didn't move in the same social circles. But he gave him a nod, acknowledging his presence. And the charioteer was called Azarion. 

And now came the actual reason why Vibia summoned him, or he supposed that was the reason. She just mentioned sponsorship and then asked Marcus about it. 

"Not a very big fan, to be honest. It can be fun, sure, but... I like other kinds of fun." He said with a wink to her. She was being very obvious though, so he went on, "Why do you ask? Are you going to persuade me into sponsoring this one?"

Oh he loved how she moaned into his kiss, although it wasn't like such a sound and reaction made him want her any less. Alexius had not grown bored with her and he didn't think he could. Her lips and her love was all he wanted. And the rest of her. All of her. He smiled at her, still enjoying that he didn't have to look down, but that they were more or less the same height. It just felt so right. More than it should feel. And that gave him ideas he probably shouldn't be getting, but they were there. He should tell her. But not now. Right now, he would just enjoy being with her after another of the always too long breaks between seeing each other.

"And if I were?" Alexius said with a grin to her, "Would that be so bad? I'll get out of mine too, then we're even." He said and plucked another kiss from her, "This feels nice. Kissing you in the fresh air." They never did that. It always had to be somewhere secret, somewhere dimly lit or somewhere private. Not outside in the bright sunlight.

Marcus nodded, he was on the right path and he intended to stay on it if he could. If he didn't mess up again. Knowing himself though, he knew he might. But he had to try and not get into trouble, honor his family name and his friends and hopefully grow his fortune again. Being here helped with all of that. Then Lucius wanted to know how his life was besides his work. Well it was as usual, more or less anyway. Perhaps fewer parties and more work, but besides that, it was the same.

"Life is good, I guess. Not much has changed really. Work and parties and plenty of wine." He said, "It's good to have something to do though. How is your life?" 

Calpurnia just wanted to enjoy the moment, which made sense. He wanted to do that too. She then asked what he wanted to do, and he twirled her around in his arms so that he could kiss her, "I just want to worship you, that's all." He said, when he pulled back from the kiss. There was so much he wanted to do with her, but he did want to enjoy the moment and really not rush things. Just try and relax, with her, "Maybe... go for a swim? The water looks nice. Would you do that?" 

It was very sweet that she kept touching his arm, and now she looked up at him with a small smile, as he asked his question. She probably didn't expect him to be interested, but he decided he would and should be. His wife had a friend she was fond of. And he ought to know more about all that, both for his own curiosity and for her. So he'd understand better. Even if the friend was a slave.

She explained they didn't know each other before, but that Cynane helped her find her way home after she came to Rome. And apparently their tribes had been at war before the Romans came to their lands. Funny how people would always unite against an enemy. A common enemy of course.

"It seems very much forgotten, since you're still friends." Tertius said, "I'm glad she helped you. Getting lost in Rome can be dangerous." He added and had another thought, "You know that now, you can just pick a guard if you want to leave the house. I'd hate it if something happened to you." 

It felt good when she leaned back against him, it felt right. He kissed her hair again and inhaled the scent of her, it had been too long again. He chuckled when she deemed the distance respectful. She might be alone in thinking that, but here they wouldn't be interrupted and he'd waited so long with coming this close. He'd kept that actual respectful distance all the way down here, to the edge of the water. But that was more than enough.

"Pretending to just be your bodyguard is hard enough." Alexius said, "Here at least, I don't have to." He squeezed her a little tighter, kissed her hair again, "I missed you so much. What do we do now?" He knew what he'd like to do, but he also didn't want to rush it, because even though they were here, their time was always limited. At some point, they'd have to return to the villa and the slaves. Prying eyes. 

She was musing about the water, still not turning to face him. Instead she made her way all the way down to the water and he stopped, watching her just standing there. Such a beauty she was. He could easily imagine a sunset and her watching it. With her feet bare in the sand and she'd let her hair down. That would be a sight for the gods. How did he end up loving a woman like her? Then she glanced over her shoulder and he had to smile at her words.

"Well... I realized you forgot to tell me, what you consider a respectful distance." Alexius said with a grin and came closer. As far as he could tell, they were alone, "Is it here..." And a few steps closer, "Here perhaps?" And then all the way up to her, wrapping his arms around her from behind and kissing her hair, "Or maybe you want me here?" Gods he'd waited for this moment, to just be close to her again. Right where he wanted to be. 

Down to the water... well that sounded nice, in particular with her. He'd never seen her bathe before, he thought he might like that. But she wouldn't, would she? Out here, where people could see her? Alexius would love to try and swim in the sea though. It must be very different from the baths of Rome. But he followed her, watching her from behind. She'd not even turned to look at him yet. She had him twisted around her finger, didn't he? And he followed her with joy.

"I have, a few times. But it's been years, again." He explained. He'd seen it a few times back when he worked as a henchman/bodyguard/mercenary for hire, after he divorced his wife and left Rome for a while. 

"I suppose you've been here often. Do you ever swim in the sea?" He asked, as they were far out of sight from anyone else. 

Alexius got his tour of the villa, noting how he was being watched carefully especially by the female slaves. Poor girls. He wasn't here for them, even if they could easily think he was. He was here for one woman only, but that didn't mean he couldn't talk to them and charm them. That would also make it appear more normal, right? That he really was just her bodyguard and nothing else. The villa was beautiful, so large, his own flat could fit in here many times. He was briefly reminded of his affair with Oriana, to whom he'd also been a bodyguard, she'd had a nice house too. But this was different. And by the sea. He'd only rarely seen it, could probably count on one hand the times he'd seen the sea. Now he looked forwards to seeing it again. Together with the woman he loved.

At last she walked past him, dishing out orders as the high-born woman she was. Alexius quickly wiped off his admiring smile and followed her.

"Of course, Domina. I'll make sure no one approaches you." He promised out loud and kept a respectable distance as they followed a pathway away from the villa. Alexius didn't know the area and had no idea where they were going, so for now, he'd be a pet, following his mistress... "It's a beautiful area, this. Where are we going?" Hopefully somewhere far away from other people. He glanced over his shoulder, seeing that the villa was disappearing behind a corner, realizing he was growing impatient. 

Charis mentioned it could be painful to talk about Britannia. He imagined it could. He should probably ask more into it, since she was now his wife and not his slave. When she was a slave, he'd wanted her to forget her former life, but now that she was free... it was somehow different, again. She was from Britannia, but she was also his wife and he should know about her past, shouldn't he? He knew bits and pieces, but he never really asked her. Meanwhile Charis went on about how Cynane understood her and she was even captured in war. That made sense, since she'd been a gladiatrix and now a bodyguard. She knew how to fight.

She said she'd go and talk to Cynane soon and Tertius nodded, looking at her, "You never told me how you met her. Did you know her in Britannia?" Tertius asked, now curious to learn more about his wife... and her friend.

Had he known she'd given his height as a reason for him to be her bodyguard, he would have laughed. And then he would agree with her. How stupid would it look for such a magnificent woman to be followed by a tiny bodyguard? How could a small man ever guard a woman like her? Had she not been born into the family she was, she could have made it well as a gladiatrix, he thought. Stunning as she was. But no, she was a former Vestal and high-born and here he was, escorting her to this lovely villa by the sea. But he didn't care about the villa; he cared about her. The villa was just very... convenient to have. 

She took his hand and he smiled as he saw her emerge, while she welcomed him and said she'd like to go for a walk soon. Alexius nodded at her words.

"I do. I do have to come with you and keep you safe." Alexius replied with a smirk, "Since that's what I'm here for. At all hours." He added, attempting to not grin broadly. And then he remembered to let go of her hand. Gods, he was really here, with her, far from Rome and with only a few slaves to accompany her. He was really here and she was really here. Alexius inhaled a small breath by the thought, trying to gather his wits again, "You'll let me know when you're ready... for that walk." 

August, 77AD

 Time sure flew by, didn’t it? But at the same time, life was very much the same. Except that he had a lady to take care of now, whenever he got the chance anyway. And that wasn’t nearly as often as he would have liked, so he tried to focus on Lexus’ plans for the future – he wanted to study and maybe become a garden architect or something like that (high goals, Alexius thought, but he did what he could to support his son). And he tried to focus on his job with Teutus. And then all the other job offers he got. He thought he might not work for Teutus forever, because after the infamous attacker and killer had been executed in the arena, Alexius could finally let it be known that he helped catch the killer. And suddenly he got quite a few more job offers than usual.

 One came from a particular woman he’d not at all mind working for. In fact he had to tell Teutus that since this was a former Vestal he was going to guard, he had to take the job. It was a very good and well-paid job after all. Not that he did it for the money. He would have done it for free, but then people would have talked for sure. Now, he was just guarding a former Vestal and highly ranked noblewoman of Rome. Guarding her and watching over her as she went to spend a little time in her countryside villa outside of Rome. Rome was way too warm to be in now anywhere. Out in the countryside, the air seemed more fresh.

 And he would act all kinds of proper on the way, not even joining her in her litter, but walking towards the front of the little party travelling, because he had to scout ahead for any dangers. He recalled a few years back, one of the princesses was attacked on a horseback ride outside of Rome. You could never be too careful! But they got there safely and Alexius stepped politely aside while the slaves got busy unloading. He barely looked at the villa, because his eyes were elsewhere - as the litter came to a stop and he rushed over to it to lend the lady a hand when she left her seat.

"Lovely Lady Calpurnia... I trust you had a pleasant journey?" That wasn't too much, was it? It wasn't. It was fine. He could have spoken like that to anyone.

Seeing a guy with braids like that was weird, to be honest. But maybe it was a style they used wherever that charioteer came from. He knew they liked to stand out and it made sense, so people would recognize them and root for them. And swoon over them. Not that Marcus did, although he supposed the guy was actually not that bad looking. The girls probably liked him. Marcus downed some wine, he'd not been so much out and about as usual, after what happened back in May. Not that he'd ever live in celibacy - him showing up at this party proved that - but he wasn't as forwards as before. 

Suddenly he noticed Vibia glancing his way and then she called him over. Marcus arched a brow, kind of surprised, but sure. She was fine, after all, had such nice skin and hair. He bet her body was even nicer. Tiberius knew. He pushed the slight envy off though and focused on her instead, "Vibia, always a pleasure." Marcus said with a charming smile, "You seem busy, as always." He added with a wink and looked up as another man joined them.

When Charis suggested inviting Cynane for dinner, she did not mention it should just be the two of them, so Tertius didn't assume as much. Besides, they were family. They did things together now, right? That's what husbands and wives did, when they got along. And he hoped that they did, that this little fight they just had didn't ruin things between them. But he could try and make it better at least, by allowing her this dinner. Charis said they should find another date and then Tertius wondered if Cynane had ever been to a proper dinner like what Charis was talking about. He assumed, at least, that it was a proper dinner. Charis didn't think so and then touched his arm in a caring manner, asking if he wanted to be present for it. The way she touched him and asked that question... as if she was trying to persuade him. As if she didn't want him there.

"She's a guard, I've never seen her wear a dress." Tertius commented and smirked, "So this may be a first. And I don't think I'll mind hearing about Britannia." Tertius said thoughtfully. It did however sound like she'd prefer he wasn't there and she probably wanted to chat alone with her friend, so maybe he could find an excuse to leave the dinner early on and leave them alone. Although he wasn't quite sure if he trusted Cynane. There was something off with her. 

A Centurion among the vigiles, that was something, for someone like Lucius. Who'd chosen to throw it all away to start as if he was  plebian or something, and there he stood, Centurion again. Of course Marcus had no idea how or why he'd ended up there, but he was probably smart enough to have such power. Lucius then went on about how the vigiles weren't half as glorious as being in the legions, but he liked helping people. Yes, he always talked about that. Marcus didn't.

"As long as you feel useful, I suppose that's what matters." Marcus said, because it was what he could come up with, "I'm just... doing what I'm supposed to do. Not much else going on. I do want to follow the course of honor. And honor my family name." Although Varus had said he wasn't doing well in that department, but he did what he could to prove the older man wrong. And not get into trouble again.

So they'd go to the baths together. That didn't sound too bad, he thought to himself and Marcus finished up his work, sending the last orders and getting all the paperwork in order before he left. Making sure to send a slave with some wine for Lucius while he waited and did whatever he did, while Marcus finished. Finally he was finished and caught up with Lucius. As they left the building, Lucius commented on Marcus' work.

"Yeah... it's going better now, I'm getting used to it." He almost mentioned that he had to take a break back in June, but decided not to, because the less Lucius knew, the better. The less anyone knew, the better, "How have you been? Promoted, right? I bet you didn't plan on that." He said with a grin, since Lucius left the Senatorial class to start over in a lower class, and now he was getting promoted. He might end up properly wealthy in the end anyway.

He said yes, kind of anyway. In his own way. He didn't say no to her request, though he would find it weird to sit with a slave for dinner. Charis had been with him for a dinner once too, as a slave, but that was the night Wulfric was here, and Teutus... and that didn't go so well. This would be different. Now she was his wife and she had a friend, who was still a slave. Whom she wanted to see. But it didn't feel right to deny her this, when he'd just upset her so much. He could make it up to her by allowing this dinner to happen.

Charis looked confused when he suggested it might be for Peregrinus' birthday, and then said she thought it would just be her and Cynane. Offered a good reason why it shouldn't be for Peregrinus' birthday. 

"Well, I just thought... since she was here for his birth, that the birthday might be right. But we can find another date, if you prefer." He said, still not thinking that it should just be Charis and Cynane. He wasn't sure how a slave like her would influence Charis, now that she was free and his wife, "Has she ever been to a proper dinner, you think?" Did she know how to behave? Did she even own something to wear? She was a slave. It didn't rub him the right way, this idea, but for Charis' sake, he had to agree with it.

If he had to work, he might as well take whatever amusement from it that he could. Which wasn't much. Prisons wasn't the most exciting place to work, but at least he thought it more interesting than some of the other jobs a vigintiviri could do. Not that he tried the others, but this was most interesting of them, he thought. On the way to the short-term cells, Lucius informed Marcus that he did have time for the drink at a place that didn't stink.

Marcus let out a laugh, "And make that place stink too, because you're there? How about seeing if one of the baths is still open first?" Marcus suggested and stopped to talk with a guard to find out what was available. Finally the rowdy man was tossed into a cell with some men with an almost gladiator-like appearance. He complained, but Marcus ignored it. The guard would get the man's name and information and then they'd find out if there was to be a trial or what.

"I just need to finish up in the office, then I can go too. Some wine while you wait?" Marcus led the way back, seeming very much at home. As if the sounds and the dirt and the smell of the place didn't bother him so much. And it didn't. It wasn't as bad as in the beginning.

It was nice to see Lucius, even if their meetings were often brief, due to what Lucius did and what Marcus did. And this was another delivery to the prisons. Lucius came right up to him and then clasped Marcus' arm and only after that asked Marcus to forgive the grime. He looked down on his arm and brushed it, "I can tell!" He said with a grin and looked past Lucius to take in the captive of the night. Gods he was glad he wasn't a vigile and had to do what Lucius did. He'd absolutely hate it. How could you enjoy such work? Marcus enjoyed the prisons, but mostly because he got to be in charge of people. And after what happened to him, it was nice sometimes to be the one giving orders for others ending up in a similar misery too. He could deal it out, if he wanted to. Not that he did it often. But he could. And that's what mattered.

"Well we must find him an empty cell. Or maybe..." He chuckled, seat the man with some whores or big guys or something. See what they'd say, "Let's see where we can fit him in." Marcus said and waved that they could follow him, then waited for Lucius to catch up with Marcus, "Do you have time for a drink afterwards, maybe? It's been a while." 

Tertius nodded, she was right, it was out of their hands and in the hands of the gods. Of course he knew women could prevent themselves from having children, or attempt to stop a pregnancy that had already begun. But he didn't think that was something Charis would do, not considering what happened last time she tried to rid herself of a child. And if she had succeeded, they would not have Peregrinus now. So he didn't think she would do anything like that again. She was his wife now. And she was smarter than that. But if they were to have a child, the gods would choose they should have one. Then he'd have four. Who would have thought? After his late wife died and he hadn't really wanted to take another wife. But here he was with Charis. She stroked the back of his hand sweetly, then his arm and suddenly suggested inviting her friend Cynane for dinner. Tertius did recall her from Peregrinus' birth and he didn't get the best impression, but...

"If her mistress will allow her to come... if it would make you happy to see her." He felt he kind of owed her, after how upset she'd just been, now she knew that he had Silanus beaten for his offense to them. So maybe this was a way he could make it up to her. It would be odd though, to have someone else's slave over for dinner, but he wanted to show Charis that he cared and that he did try hard to trust her, "Did you think of doing this soon? It could be for Peregrinus' birthday?" 

Marcus should be going home, but ever since he went back to his work as one of the vigintiviri, he found himself spending more time at it. Maybe he was making up for the time he'd been gone or the wrong he'd done, maybe he thought that if he worked, at least he didn't get into trouble... either way, he was still here, at the office at the prisons. It was evening, which meant he was working by torchlight and lamps and he could hardly see the text on the scroll anymore. Maybe he should take a walk through the hallways and see if everything was in order and then go home. But just as he stood, someone walked in the doorway and to his great surprise, it was Lucius. With Marcus being at work and the beating being months ago now, he didn't think much about his looks. The scar from the stitching by his brow was healing nicely. He looked more like his usual self. Perhaps just a bit more alert, but it wasn't something he thought about.

"Lucius! It's been a while!" He said with a smile to his friend, they'd known each other for a good while now and although he didn't understand why Lucius chose the path he did, he would still welcome him. He did see him from time to time, due to their jobs in Rome overlapping a bit, like now. It was nice.