Atrice

Marcus did indeed not want to get into further trouble. This was plenty. He'd never been beaten like that before, never been in a fight that ended with him looking like this. And the way they held him while the punches hit him, the way Varus just ordered it done, planned it even... he was afraid of what else he might do, and he didn't want to find out. So Ovinia had to not tell people he'd been beaten and tried to hide it, and she couldn't be upset with him. Girls that were upset were dangerous. The last one was. She told her husband and look at Marcus after she did that. 

She seemed surprised that he touched her and then she wondered if he was apologizing. Was he? Marcus gave her a sheepish look and shrugged, maybe? Then she went on about how she knew what it was like to be afraid and that it meant you got prickly. And then she spoke of friendship again.

"I don't know if that's meant to be a compliment." Not the last part anyway, "But thanks, I guess. For you... being my friend. I..." He didn't know what to do with that, did he? They usually weren't friends. They were girls he could charm and flirt with and take to bed, they weren't friends. Maybe he should repay her somehow. For her being nice. Maybe that would also help her with keeping his secret? Nothing was free in Rome. They said friendship was, but was it, really? "If you ever need my help with anything, Ovinia... you know where to find me." Why she'd need his help he didn't know, but you never knew, did you? 

It was odd that he could care so much for her and give into her wishes of trusting her, yet... somehow... he was never sure that he really could. That she cared as much as he. Not even after their visit to the temple, with the sacrifice they made and all that. But hopefully, it would only improve, their marriage that was. They just had a fight. It was far from the first time, but they were on a more equal level now than before. And he tried hard. He even apologized to her. He couldn't take back what he did, but he could be considerate in the future. He could try, at least.

And now they were back to talking about their son, still a growing boy, he wondered if she wanted more children. She said she did miss having a small baby, but she didn't miss pregnancy or giving birth. He thought few women enjoyed that. Especially since it was actually dangerous. Many women died in childbirth or shortly after. Like his late wife. Think if he lost Charis like that too, that would be unbearable. And leave Peregrinus without a mother, just like his daughter. He felt that odd melancholy again, so it was good she spoke of children laughing and smiling. She had sat down again and he joined her while she talked. Did he miss having a small child?

"Maybe? I don't miss the crying at night." He said with a chuckle, "But you were... you are... so good with Peregrinus. And I enjoy when we're with him together." He smiled and looked at her, "I don't think I'd mind having another child with you." 

Jason promised to not tell Tiberius about Marcus while he set the tray down onto the table. Then he spoke about Tiberius being worried and said Marcus should talk to him. No he shouldn't, because Marcus was his friend and he didn't want Tiberius to be placed in a bad spot because of Marcus. This was his thing to deal with and he couldn't tell anyone, because he didn't want to get beaten or worse. If Varus had this done to him just for Marcus offending his wife, what would he do if he got angered again? Would he have him beaten up worse or maybe even disposed off? No, he couldn't risk it. Tiberius couldn't know.

"I can't." Marcus said, "Is he really worried though? Isn't he busy with his work?" Tiberius was so much smarter than Marcus. At least Marcus did well in what he was doing now, having started the course of honor, but he knew that Tiberius was smarter than he was. And he was grateful for having such a friend and couldn't lose him. So he couldn't be a bad influence on Tiberius. So Tiberius couldn't know what happened.

He tried to change the subject, but now Ovinia was upset with him. Well so much for calling him her friend, he supposed. She now stood and took a very feminine position with her hands on her hips and didn't want to be spoken to like that. Well look at Marcus, amazing at talking to ladies around these times. Not. He just upset them. Kind of the opposite of what he wanted, he liked to charm them, but he didn't do that. Nowhere near that. And now she was upset and looking to the exit and reminded him to think before he spoke.

Marcus stepped closer, put a hand on her arm, not grasping her, just touching her, hoping to make her not run away, "I'm... I just... I told you I don't want to talk about it. That I can't tell you what happened." He sighed and pulled his hand back, "But I guess you're right, I shouldn't speak to you like that. You can just... go, if you want. I get it." Truth be told, he did get it, she wouldn't want to talk to him, why would she? Marcus, beaten up for almost the exact reasons she guessed. Why should she want to talk to him? And he didn't want to tell her anyway, he couldn't. So it really was best that she left. It was best for both of them. And he could go back to his quarters and drink wine until he passed out and forget about the pain and the embarrassment and how stupid it all was. 

Marcus wasn't really here to meet the famed Whites. He was mostly here for the naked women (and maybe the men, depending on his mood) and the wine, as usual. He'd come back into society again, the beating he gained was long ago now, almost half a year. There wasn't a bruise left on his body, but maybe a little scar within, although the more he went out and threw himself into his work, the less rough it was. The only visible mark was the scar by his brow, now a light red line by his one brow. But his nicely tousled hair would hide it most of the time and when it didn't, he did now have it in him to make up some random tale about how he got it. It wasn't the same tale every time though, but did it really matter? The girls wanted a story, they got one. As long as Ovinia didn't ask again. And she for sure wasn't going to pop in here, because Vibia was present, something that hadn't exactly been a secret. Always a lovely sight she was and always out of reach for Marcus. He did have money now, thanks to Tiberius. He just didn't have enough. And she wouldn't want him anyway, would she? She was probably the type who'd ask annoying questions too.

So he grasped a cup of wine from a slave and looked around, wondering whom to throw himself upon. Was this party meant to evolve into an orgy? He could get into that. Very easily. Not with the famed Whites though, that would be weird. Watching them race, then sleeping with them. Marcus wondered what exactly Vibia had in mind and downed some wine while watching her chat with some braided charioteer.

He could feel her eyes on him after what he said last and thought he'd fucked up anyway. He'd said too much. He didn't want her to know! He didn't want anyone to know, it was too much already. But she kept looking at him and he tried to avoid her gaze, while she then began assuming what had happened. Not a random attack. Forgetting to think before talking and then getting beaten. Set into motion by a very angry man. Fuck.

"You shouldn't assume anything, Ovinia. You don't know. And it'll heal." Marcus said in a final manner, standing, he didn't want to sit here and talk about what happened. He didn't want to talk about it. 

Marcus pulled the hood back on again and glanced at her, "Are you going to visit other temples?" He tried desperately to change the subject again. 

Tertius barely realized that he'd done something he usually didn't, that he'd done something out of the ordinary. But that's what she did to him. And that's why she had to be his wife, for how could he care so much about her, when she was a slave? And how could he allow her to have such power over him, if he was free and she the slave? And how could he raise a free son of hers, without her being free too? She had more power over him than she might believe. Yet there she was, thanking him for his apology. Tertius nodded, feeling strangely awkward, and then Peregrinus cried somewhere in the house and he sensed Charis might want to go to him. Which was understandable. Peregrinus was her son and she was upset with her husband. Or was she, still?

She didn't mention the incident with Silanus again, instead said Peregrinus would be alright with the slaves and mused on about him. He smiled at her sweet words. She really was a mother with everything that came with it, wasn't she? Not that his last wife ever had that chance... he sighed for himself and tried to shake thought of Antonia from his mind. He had Charis with him now. 

"You're being very sweet. And I don't know where time went either." He said with a smile and reached for her hand, briefly wondering if they'd ever have another child. Tertius had an heir now. But he thought he might not mind having more with her... "Do you miss it? Having a small child? Now that Peregrinus is soon to be two..." 

Ovinia seemed surprised that he had not told Tiberius, but then tried to make a joke of it. He smiled, "If one wants to, it's not that hard." Marcus said, thinking he could probably teach her a thing or two about hiding your mischief and mistakes from people. But then why would she need to know about that? Ovinia was such a good and perfect girl, she'd never need to hide any sort of mischief. She even went to the temples often. Marcus sure didn't. 

She promised that Marcus wouldn't need to worry about her telling Tiberius, because they weren't that close. He nodded, "Good... I mean... thanks, I guess. That you won't tell him." Not that she knew much, but she knew enough already and more than Tiberius. She knew he'd had an experience, that he'd been beaten and felt horrible and didn't want to talk about it. And that was more than what Tiberius knew. Then he suddenly felt a hand on his arm and looked up at her. She was so pretty and how was she so kind to him, and said that they were friends, when he never really thought they were. Not that Marcus ever cared too much, he was more interested in other things, so he never realized... but now he did. And her words honestly stung a bit, rubbed him the wrong way because she didn't know why he'd been beaten.

"Maybe I did, I don't know. Sometimes I just... forget to think, before I talk. You know me." She knew him well enough to know that. He blew some hair out of his eyes, "And then... well... but you're nice for saying you're sorry about it." 

It couldn't be undone, what he did to young Silanus, and he wouldn't want it to anyway. It had been a harsh lesson, but hopefully that also meant it had been learned. That Silanus would, in the future, consider his words more carefully and not be so stupid again. If he wanted to get anywhere, if he really did want to honor his father's name, he had to do better. It's not like the rest of his remaining family were doing much better, after all. 

He was still trying to calm himself, when he felt her eyes upon him and then her shifting, standing to approach her. Tertius turned his eyes to her and then she touched his cheek, making him look at her. Tertius did look at her, while she also spoke with more calm, how she wanted to know what he was thinking and that they should share things. And she thought Silanus would think she had a part in what happened to him.

"I think you know more about what I think, than most people." He said with a small smile and reached for her hand, "The only part you had in what I did, was telling your husband what happened. Which I believe was the right thing to do. You trusted me enough to tell me." He said and realized what he just said, mirroring what she just said. Tertius sighed too, feeling oddly... lost... how was it Charis was able to bring forth such emotions in him?

"I'm sorry I... didn't trust you enough. I will consider it in the future." heard the sounds of Peregrinus crying somewhere too. He heard how she sighed and felt unsure of what to, "Do you want to go to him?" 

Marcus had not expected to see her today and he'd rather not see anyone he knew, until his face looked better than what it did now. He did receive quite a few blows to his face and jaw and it was still bruised and broken here and there. But he was not going to dare to tell her, because he didn't want to face any consequences, should he tell her and Varus found out. And as long as she understood that and didn't try to persuade him in other ways than asking, he'd be fine. He didn't want her to know, anyway. That he'd been lured into a highly esteemed man's house, only to be held by henchmen while one of them was beating him. He hadn't had a chance to fight back. It was stupid and embarrassing. He should never have been stupid enough to even answer the invitation he got. But he was. And here he was.

He went up to send his wishes to the god and make his offering of wine and Ovinia stayed behind. It didn't take so long and then he returned to her. Wondering if she had any business here, but she did not. Instead she invited him to sit with her and he did, glancing around, but it would seem they were alone in the temple for now. That was good at least. No one would see him here, then. He barely even considered it wasn't right to be this near Ovinia without her having a chaperone. Such things were far from his mind at the moment. Ovinia then asked into what Tiberius thought of what happened to Marcus.

"Nothing. I haven't seen him since it happened. And he doesn't know and I don't want him to either." He said with a firm voice. He had avoided Tiberius with success so far and he intended to continue on doing that. He also hadn't shown up for his job at the prisons and had instead sent a note with Silvanus, that he was sick and would show up once he was well enough. He was doing his very best to avoid people. Today it didn't work out. Ovinia was right here... he looked at her, "Remember you promised to not tell." 

He gave her a look when she commented on what he'd do for Saturnalia - she had not expected he'd visit a temple then, "That was the plan... I'd go with Tiberius, but he was gone, so I went out to look for him. And then I found something else." He explained, no need to say more. If he said he met an older woman and she spent time with him and went to a temple with him, Ovinia would surely find it amusing and mock him again. And he didn't want more of that. Why did she have to spot him today anyway? It was Silvanus' fault, he was the one suggesting Marcus went to the baths. 

Ovinia explained that she went to the temples most days and how it brought her comfort. Marcus wasn't sure he ever found that in a temple. Or anywhere really. Maybe in the drinks, because that's what he knew would make him think of other things and have fun. They went up to the temple and the slaves waited outside, while Ovinia and Marcus continued inside. She gave him a small flask of wine and then again asked what happened to him.

"Please stop asking, I'm not going to tell you. I can't tell you." He added, because he'd been instructed to not tell and he feared for what would happen to him, if he told and Varus found out that he did. The beating was plenty.

He moved forwards towards the altar and shrine of temple with the flask and inhaled a small breath to calm himself. He lowered the hood to present himself properly to the god of the temple and silently asked for fast healing of both body and mind. He almost wanted to ask for Vejovis to avenge him somehow, but didn't dare. What if the god would not listen to his first wish because the second was worse? So he didn't. Finally he placed the wine on the altar and stepped back towards where Ovinia stood, forgetting to put the hood of the cloak back on, "That's it, I think. Are you going to pray and sacrifice here too?" 

This started out so nice and now it was the complete opposite. Tertius hated it when conversation or situations evolved like this. All he ever wanted was a calm and peaceful life with his family in his house. And could he ever have that? No. And now that brat of a boy was to blame. If it wasn't for him offending his wife, they wouldn't be talking about this at all. And he didn't care for Silanus. He cared for Charis. As he believed he'd done from the beginning, although back then he couldn't really show it, as she was a slave and he was not. But there had been something, that night he found her in the garden in the moonlight... and he knew he'd wronged her many times since then, but that was why this year was also a new beginning. Why they'd visited the temple months ago and made that sacrifice together. Both asking for guidance and help to start over for a happy marriage. And now that brat had ruined it. 

Tertius had to stand to rid himself of his anger and he tried to calm down and speak more softly to her, tried to make her understand why he had to do what he'd done. But she stayed down on the blanket, said she wished he'd talked to her and she did want Silanus punished, but apparently not like that.

"I had it done, I'm responsible. That's why I didn't tell you. I don't want you to feel you're responsible." At least not directly. Tertius had it done because he felt it was right to do. The boy had to learn the lesson, "Anyway it's done and dealt with. It's not like it can be undone now." He inhaled another breath. No matter how she felt about it, they couldn't take it back, it couldn't be changed. That was just that.

He noted how she was now deliberately looking away from him and sighed, this had certainly not been his intent! She hadn't been supposed to know, but she was so curious and he supposed she did have the right to know, now. Tertius tried to explain how he did it for her, but she snapped and glared at him, again commenting how she didn't ask for it and you didn't have to beat someone up to make them apologize. He lifted his chin, inhaling a breath. She was still upset. She didn't get it! That a beating might be the only way to make a boy like that see the error of what he'd done! Talking alone would have done nothing! It would be forgotten and then he'd offend someone else. But Charis went on, saying that he'd never hit her and didn't know why it had to be done to Silanus.

"Because I don't care for him!" Tertius snapped and stood, inhaling another sharp breath and he tried to relax. Suddenly aware that they were in the garden and the house was surrounding them. Everyone could hear them. And Charis wasn't trying to understand.

He looked at her again, trying to soften his tone again, "I care for you... as I... I think I've done that almost since the beginning. I don't want people to go around and gossip about you, or call you names. And boys like him... with most of them, you can't talk sense into their heads. Not at that age. It's not like I was any smarter back then either." That's back when he slept around with Varinia and fathered his first child. He'd been just as stupid at that age. And his father chose to teach him a lesson by sending him abroad. That had been harsh too. But Silanus had no father to teach him lessons. So society had to. Tertius had to... in his own way.

There was nothing wrong with how he looked? He supposed he'd seen worse... from gladiators and lower class people, who got into fights and stuff like that. But that wasn't Marcus. And it wasn't because of some heroic deed that he got his injuries. Sure he could claim that was it, but he wasn't sure he could fake it. Not with how he was feeling, not with how ashamed he felt because of what had happened. So it was just better to not talk about it at all.

"I've got to do something. This is the first time I've been outside since... it happened. So it's either a cloak or not leaving the villa." And he really did prefer the latter, but Silvanus convinced him and rightfully so, the bath had done wonders, but he did look forwards to going back home to the safety of the villa and his own quarters. Where people wouldn't see him and want to ask questions.

They moved towards the temple she mentioned and he wondered what to offer at the temple. Ovinia thought wine or incense might do it and he nodded, "That's good enough, I guess. I hope." Hoping it would be good enough for the gods to shine some light upon him again. Ovinia next wondered if he didn't visit the temples much and he shook his head under the cloak, "It's not a habit of mine, no... I did go for Saturnalia. I guess you pay plenty of visits to temples." Pretty and virtuous as she was, of course she'd do that.

She seemed so concerned that Marcus couldn't quite grasp it. It was still new to him that she considered him a friend. Marcus didn't have a great amount of close friends - he had many acquaintances, but few friends. There was Tiberius and Lucius of course and Caecina had been a very very close friend too, but she had to marry and he had to leave his mother's house. But apparently, he also had Ovinia. She said Silvanus should keep up his work with Marcus, so he wouldn't be too scarred.

"That would be a shame, wouldn't it?" Marcus agreed and gave his slave a look, but then turned his attention back to Ovinia. She was curious and he really felt he should get out of the sun and where more people might recognize him. They'd be better off talking in the shadows somewhere and he suggested a temple. Ovinia tossed her hair over her shoulder and mentioned the temple to Vejovis, not far away. Marcus nodded, that was some sort of healing god, wasn't it? 

"What's so wrong with shadows, when you look like this?" He asked, unamused, pointing at his face. At least she couldn't see the rest of his body, although it was mostly near the ribs he was bruised there. The ribs, his jaw and face and then that eyebrow. Well at least he could walk. He had no broken bones. He'd heal. Marcus gestured that she could lead the way to the temple and he kept up the pace to walk next to her. Their slaves followed at an adequate distance.

"I suppose I need something to offer at the temple though." Marcus mused as they were walking, "What would Vejovis want, besides goats? Wine, perhaps?"

Was she upset? She was! Why? Tertius had only done his duty as her husband to defend her honor and deal with the bastard who offended her. And him through her. Didn't she understand that this was no small thing in Rome? But no, now she pulled back and spoke of how she hadn't asked him to do that, and feared the brat would be hurt. Gods, really? Tertius looked at her when she thought he'd killed him! 

"I didn't kill him! And he'll heal and probably get on with his life, but hopefully be wiser with his words now." Tertius said, not really afraid that the young boy wouldn't heal. They didn't break any bones or anything. And he certainly hadn't been dead! He could still talk when the whole ordeal was done with, after all. But Charis went on, claimed he did not need Tertius to defend her honor and then she wanted him to have talked to her about it.

"I didn't want you to worry about it." He explained, "And I did need to do it. Not you, but me. I don't know how you do it in Britannia, but in Rome, a man defends his wife, unless she was the one in the wrong. And I'm certain you weren't. Anyway, it's done now. And he won't bother our family again." Tertius looked at her, "Why does this upset you so much? I had it done for us... for you." 

She sighed when he still refused to see a medicus and he hoped she wouldn't keep going on about it. But then she did, kind, suggesting there could be salves to help with the bruises, "I don't need the medicus for that. Silvanus already fetched something." Marcus informed her, it wasn't like he was some child, who couldn't take care of himself. He was 19 years old now and not living with anyone who could be a parent. Not that he had any anyway. No real parents. Of course he had Flavia Juliana, but she had a new husband now and even new children. And Marcus had his own life to live. 

What he was most afraid of though, was that people would find out what happened and he'd be cast out for it. He already felt plenty ashamed over the incident. He didn't need to feel more embarrassed. Ovinia blinked when he asked her to not tell anyone that he'd been injured so, and she promised and said she didn't gossip. Marcus gave her a look, quite sure she did gossip, but he hoped he could trust her in this at least. But of course that didn't make her any less curious.

"Not something anyone needs to know." Marcus just said, trying to not snap it out. But he didn't want anyone knowing and Varus told him to not tell. What if he did and Varus found out and... no. Just no. But she wasn't leaving, was she? "Maybe... we could go somewhere less... public? I was thinking to maybe visit some temple, but I'm not sure which. It's not so often I do it."

She grimaced and he didn't like those expressions on her pretty face. Because she was a pretty face, but she'd turned him down numerous times and he never got the impression that she actually cared about him. And now she suddenly said she'd always been pleasant. Well she had, but nothing more than that. Which was why he was so surprised when she suddenly deemed him her friend. Really? She thought of him as her friend? Since when? Oh he probably should be nicer to her then. But she started almost laughing at his bruises, so actually she was the one to be rude at first here. But now she was being nice. Before he could answer though, surprised as he was, she said she'd take him to a medicus and said he should come with her. But no. Just... no, he would not.

"I said I don't need that." He said, "It just needs time. It's already been days. I doubt a medicus will make any difference now anyway. I'll be fine." He said, not moving out of the spot. He'd be fine once it was all healed and he could return to his usual life... if he could. If people wouldn't talk anyway. If Ovinia didn't talk... "Just please... don't tell anyone about this? If we really are... friends... please don't tell?" 

@Sara

He noted how she didn't lean into his touch and he didn't like that very much. So he'd taken care of someone who offended them both, mainly her, but she didn't like it? He took care of his family and the honor of it, of her, and she didn't want him to? And here they had been on the same page about things for a good while! Charis asked what he did and if he had hurt Silanus. She seemed to demand that he told her. He didn't have to tell her anything. It would seem he'd already told her plenty. But on the other hand, he did try to treat her like something like his equal and it was her fault he head to teach Silanus a lesson. It was because of her that he did what he did. And he didn't feel sorry about it. Silanus was the one who should feel sorry, for how he spoke to Charis.

"I did." He began, feeling a bit sad that the nice afternoon now seemed ruined. Yet he continued to explain, "And as I said, he learned his lesson. Well, I think. I'm a praetor of Rome, Charis. I can't have... brats like him, talking to my wife like he did." Tertius said, "It had to be done. Maybe he'll consider his words more carefully in the future." 

@Sara

Marcus would much rather go home than try to explain himself to Ovinia. And no doubt she'd have questions. And she might tell someone. Tiberius? No, she couldn't! He'd tried and succeeded so far to not see his friend after the incident and he'd rather keep like that, at least until he was fully healed. Gods, what if she told? If she spread stories about him and how he looked and what she thought might have happened. Because there was no way he'd tell anyone what actually did happen... damn, this was so not what he needed! 

Ovinia seemed surprised by his reaction to her, which he supposed he understood, but she was the one making fun of his looks. And it wasn't like he thought it was much fun. She commented on the hood, but he ignored it. So what if she thought it looked ridiculous. So did his face. Silvanus had shown him in a polished mirror. He knew how bad it was. Marcus inhaled a breath, trying to figure out an excuse to just leave. But then she came closer and spoke softly to him.

"It is sore. And no. I don't need no medicus to see this. Silvanus takes good care of me." He actually thought the slave did pretty well on stitching up the brow, better than expected anyway, although it had hurt like nothing else ever had. Well besides the actual beating. Gods, really? And here stood Ovinia, ever so curious. Ovinia, who could be nice and polite to him in public, but he always got the idea she wasn't that fond of him, "Why do you care? You usually... don't." 

@Sara

He felt her fingers on his shoulder, she was being so lovely to him. What they had was precious. He was not going to let any brat ruin that. It still upset him that they'd been offended like that, in public too... even if he took care of it, he couldn't easily forget about it. He hoped the boy couldn't either. And now Charis sat up, withdrew her hand from him and spoke in a neutral tone. Saying she thought Silanus might apologize and wondered why he wouldn't bother them again.

"He did apologize... to me. I made sure he understood to not offend anyone like that again. And certainly not any of us." Tertius said, looking at her and lifted a hand to softly stroke her cheek. Surely she would understand this, right? And that he did it for her, "I'm sure he learned his lesson. You shouldn't worry about seeing him again." 

He was hoping she had not seen him, but Marcus wasn't in a particularly lucky line of events at the moment and this seemed to be part of that... unluckyness. For of course she'd seen him, yet only after she dropped her palla and for some reason smiled to herself and then spied him, although he tried to hide. He heard Silvanus approaching from behind, but held up a hand to stop his slave from its tracks and the slave stayed put. Meanwhile Ovinia continued down the steps, hitching up her dress, but for once Marcus didn't care one bit about her show of ankles or anything else for that matter. He'd just rather leave. 

And there she was, seeming amused by his current state and Marcus gave her an unimpressed look.

"I'm sorry it's not." He said, probably a bit harshly, but it wasn't like his mood was the best either. His luck wasn't the best, his body was still hurting along with his pride. And so his mood was in the same way... he was far from feeling like his usual, charming self, "You think this is amusing? Does it look like fun to you?" He said, blowing a bit of hair out of his eyes, but not lowering the hood of his cloak. 

@Sara

Early June, 77 AD – set a few days after Learning The Hard Way

Silvanus had been working hard the last few days. Trying to patch up his master, Marcus Junius Silanus, which was not the easiest job in the world! He had still refused to see a medicus and let Silvanus take care of the whole thing. The slave had gone to see a medicus to get some advice, without his master’s knowledge, so that worked somewhat. Marcus had been washed a bit too, but only simply, what you could do in your own room while trying to avoid other people seeing your injuries, your bruises and the fresh scar by the eyebrow, still with stitches in it. And it hurt like Hades by the way. Marcus complained a lot and then drank some wine to try and dull the pain.

Finally the slave managed to convince him to visit the baths. It had been three days now and even Marcus felt he was getting smelly. So out they went, Marcus with a cloak on, even a hood, so he could try and hide how he was looking and feeling. And it was June, it was warm, but even in the daytime, he wore it. The trip to the baths was nice, but it didn’t take him long, because he didn’t want anyone asking questions. He felt embarrassed and ashamed. Probably what Varus wanted him to feel, but he probably didn't feel it for the right reasons. He felt embarrassed that someone had been beating him like that. For the way he looked. Why it had happened was almost forgotten again. It was just all so... stupid. How had he come to deserve feeling like this?

At last he at least had clean hair and a clean body, but now you could only see the bruises even clearer. Fuck it all. He put the tunic back on, the belt, his sandals and then the grey cloak and was soon his way back home to the villa. He walked by some of the temples on the way back, you could hardly not walk by a temple in Rome… and he recalled how he met Varinia at Saturnalia and how they visited a temple together. It hadn’t worked much though. Maybe a little, with Tiberius’ kindness, but now he’d even failed his friend by getting this beating. He sighed. Maybe he should try again. If they’d listen.

He wasn’t sure where to go though. For which god did he need for this odd purpose? Which god would even pay attention to a failure like Marcus? He’d barely noticed where he stood and as he looked up at the nearest temple, with elegance he saw a dark-haired young woman stride down. And it was only when she looked towards him, that he recognized her. Ovinia. Fuck. And she had seen him, hadn’t she? He couldn’t avoid her. Fuck! Marcus felt glued to the spot and tried to pull the cloak closer, so his face would be hidden better in the shade of it.

He watched her lie down onto her back again, staring up at the clouds. For a moment there, he wished he could be like that. Just... lie down and look at the clouds. Not worry about his family or his children's future or what society thought of him and his family... not worry about honoring his own ancestors and securing everyone. Just, relax. But he could not. He had a young son now. And he wasn't getting any younger himself. He tried to explain to Charis that he didn't want their son to grow into a spoiled kid like Silanus. She promised him that would not happen and wondered why the whole thing still bothered him. And claimed she put him in his place.

"There always will be, yes... but not our son." Tertius said, "And why would you expect to hear from that boy? He offended you. And through you, me and our family. He won't bother us again. I made sure of that." Tertius explained, his tone a bit more firm. Why would she even think she should hear from Silanus again, with how he treated her and what he basically called her. A harlot of some sort. As if she was! Tertius had never thought of her like that. Not even when she was a slave, not even before Peregrinus was born. And now she was much more than that.

@Sara

He noted her smile at his own amused huff and he supposed it was amusing, that she'd enjoyed taking care of her master and he'd been sick and not enjoyed it for once. But he said nothing. Instead considered how he should reward her without losing profit, although he might already have done that, with being away from the brothel for so long. Losing profit, that is. He did recall her saying something about Marius and he didn't like so much what he heard from her. How had he been running things these days? 

Ione said she wouldn't ask to be removed from the brothel, although she'd prefer it. And one day she'd like to serve in a house.

"If the clients weren't so fond of you, I might let you serve here. But as long as they are... I don't see how it's good business to let you leave." They liked her submissiveness, the fact that she still seemed somewhat pure and innocent, despite that she'd been at the brothel for months now. And they liked her youth too. Well she'd not have that forever. And if she grew into a more experienced whore, there were clients who preferred that too. He really didn't see anything but bad business if he took her out of it. Unless she could find a replacement that would be just like her. And she most likely could not.

It also wouldn't be good business to let her have more time off, and she was already in one of the better rooms, so... he'd have to search his mind for another kind of reward.

"Will you fetch me something fresh to eat?" He then asked. He knew it was late, still dark, but he felt he could eat something. Just a little bit.