Atrice

Everyone could feel lost and bewildered. It happened more often to Marcus than he let anyone know - he had no one to confide in about such things. Silvanus knew more than most, but he was a slave and Marcus didn't really confide in him like that. Varinia knew him now. A freedwoman. Yet on Saturnalia. Then it was alright. Once he stood, he extended his hand to help her up too and Varinia took his hand and stood. Together they walked outside and he wondered what to do - then elegantly offered to walk her home. She looked at him with a smile and said she intended to enjoy the night. She called him sweet. Said he didn't have to stay with her. 

Gods, he forgot about Tiberius! And he was the whole reason Marcus was out here tonight! Fuck... he did have other places to go. He just didn't know where that was. But Varinia spoke again and he returned his attention to her.

"I hope he did." Marcus agreed with her and Varinia wondered what he'd do if he could do anything.

"I would drink and party with my friends. But... I don't know where they are. Remember I was looking for someone? I just did." He rolled his eyes, a bit upset with himself for having forgotten, "Would you like to help me? Or... if you'd rather stay here and have fun, that's alright. But..." Damn, why were such things so hard to speak about? "It has been nice so far. You've been really... nice to me." She didn't know how much, did she? How he rarely had anyone to confide in, but she made him reconsider his life and how lost he really was. He went to a temple with her. She heard his prayer to Saturn. 

@Sarah

Pinaria nodded with a smile, as Gaius explained about the new baths and a library attached to them, "It sounds like I'll have to try them out now." She replied and the smile did not fade, as he continued to compliment the home, "Thank you. I lend a hand when and where I can, here." It wasn't her home, after all, there was a good reason why her brother wanted her to get married again. Alliances and fewer mouths' to feed and less space taken in their home.  

Gaius said it was good to see her too and then asked about her son, "Yes, he's with his tutor. Would you like to meet him? I'm sure he'll come running anyway, once today's lessons are done." She said with a grin, Gaius liked a hug from his mother once he was done... "It will be a little while though, before it's time for that." Pinaria then explained. So many kind words and pleasantries. Yet she had a more grave subject to talk to him about. How to get there though? She might end up just having to talk about it with no warning.

@Sharpie

Now she hit a sore spot. Marcus could not run to his father or brother when he wanted anything. His father was dead, his brother distant. And he had little money to really call his own, although Tiberius was looking into that. But until then... he had nothing. Charis had more than he had, it seemed. And there she was, smirking and turning to leave. Her husband was a Praetor? And he'd heard the name before. The man didn't make a big name of himself in the Senate. But he'd been around long enough for everyone to know him. And such a highly esteemed man kept a freedwoman as his wife? What the fuck? But that must be exactly why he got away with it too... fuck... 

He would just have to... lower himself, wouldn't he? Even though he hated it. And he would get back at her somehow. But for now, he had to stop her... so Marcus reached out for her arm, his grin gone, "Please don't tell him? We were just talking... and... I don't want to cause any trouble..." 

@Sara

In the faint light of the night someone spoke to him and only then did he recall he had Ione here, still. He couldn't find the cup and Ione left - but only to return with a lit oil lamp, which bathed the room in a warm glow. He looked up at her, with her wet hair and face and holding the lamp. How was he feeling? Well he wasn't feeling hot anymore. Maybe he really did need the sleep. Fuck, this was the second night away from the brothel, wasn't it? Well if he felt better, maybe it was time to return... first though, something to drink...

"Better, I think. I'm thirsty. I don't know where the cup went." Lucius said and looked around. Maybe it had rolled underneath the bed or something. He waited for Ione to look for it, as he suspected she would. It was a surprise she wasn't looking already, as if the water in her hair didn't tell her that he'd reached for said water...

@Sara

He wrinkled his nose when she reminded him what she said earlier. And then she revealed she was from Britannia. His eyes widened for a moment - he was born there, after all - but he quickly collected himself again. A simple barbarian from Rome. Who was the pretense-wife of her former master. A concubine. A whore, really, that's what she was. But only to her husband. It was a pity that she wouldn't have Marcus, he was sure he could show her a better time than her husband, who was probably as old and dull as he assumed earlier. Why else would he want a freedwoman like her? 

He noticed the way her eyes flashed when he spoke of how good a lay she must be for her husband. She straightened her back, which didn't improve her height much compared to his, and then she even stepped closer and... then she threatened him.

"I hit a sore spot there, didn't I?" He said with a grin, not moving, so he looked down upon her instead, when she was this close. It really was such a pity with her! Yet he spoke and he wasn't really helping his own case, certainly not if he hoped to seduce her. But he couldn't help himself. She was not better than he was.

"I wonder why. And what will you do? Run and tell your husband, your master, like a good and loyal slave? I did honestly think you could fend for yourself." He tilted his head.

@Sara

What time was it now? Afternoon? Lucius had no idea, because he had not left the house since he arrived yesterday with this aching stomach. And here he was with Ione, who watched him and waited patiently while he spent time at the latrine and then returned to the bed. He felt warm and tired and thought he might drift off, so before that, he asked Ione to stay here. She nodded when he spoke and then advised him to drink more.

"If you promise..." Lucius said and took the water and drank some more, before he moved to lie down and rest. Gods he felt so tired and that last trip to the latrine did help some. He could just sleep. And so he did. It's what his body needed. The house slaves probably came to check on him too, but would find Ione there and judge that he had the help he needed now, although they had no idea why he wanted to keep a simple whore in his room, when he wasn't sleeping with her. 

It was night, or at least dark, when he woke again. The house was quiet. The room was dark and he felt thirsty. He sat up and reached for the cup, but misjudged the distance in the darkness and the cup fell clattering to the floor. He cursed and sat more up, attempting to find it. Having completely forgotten he told Ione to stay.

@Sara

Why did she look so amused? She enjoyed making a fool of a young man like him? Just because she'd risen way above her rank, with a Senator calling her his wife? She was nothing compared to him. Nothing. But she was certain her husband would believe her over Marcus. She was chuckling and meanwhile he felt lit inside. Growing more upset with her the more words she spoke. How dare she speak to him like that? He had the ear of a Prince! 

He lifted his chin when she would know if he thought himself better than her, "At least I am a Roman of rank. You act like you're more than what you are. You're not even from here, are you?" He didn't think she was, she had an accent, even if her Latin was really good... "You have no rights, not really. You must be a really pleasing lay for your master, since he wanted to call you his wife." 

@Sara

Lucius did not notice how the spoon clattered, he just noticed how his stomach did not want anything like soup right now. Even if it was a mild soup, it was apparently too much. He was trying to ignore that one of his whores was following this whole incident, and tried to give her something to do. Something else to do but serve him soup. She spoke of plain bread and handed him one. But he couldn't bring himself to eat it now, since he felt his inside wanted to turn out. Gods, why this? 

Ione then wanted to fetch a medicus and he looked at her, "If it gets worse, you may." Lucius said, surprised that she wanted to do so much, but he couldn't comment on it now. Instead he left the bed and the bread on it to hurry to the latrine. He returned to the bedroom once he was done again and reached for something to drink, just a little sip. He inhaled a deep breath after. He felt tired now, he did not feel like working, "If I fall asleep... stay here and watch me. So you're here if I need you." He hated that he had to ask for that, for her to stay if he needed help, and he didn't use that word, but that's what he meant. And she should know.

@Sara

Cynane let out a little huff, when he said Tiberius didn't like being dragged into it. Well, pity for him. Tirañes and his friends had helped comprehend a murderer and violator and it was only right and just that a man of such a high rank as Tiberius dealt with it. Tiberius wasn't the worst Roman she ever met, but she didn't feel bad about Tirañes waking him up at all. They agreed about a public and painful execution for the killer. But then he changed subject and she looked at him and put a hand on his.

"It isn't fair. But we're the lowest of low here." She said with a sigh, "You'll have to imagine how they should suffer. I fear if we do anything, we'll be the ones in worse pain." Since that's how it worked here in Rome. That's why she never really fought back, no matter how much she wanted to. She knew they'd catch her and they would make sure she knew to not harm Romans again. And she wasn't quite ready to die just yet. Fucking Romans.

Tirañes then said the execution would be at the Cerealia games. She nodded, "They are, at least they've got that going for them. I suppose you'll be there? If Tiberius sets it in motion." 

@Sharpie

She promised he could trust her and he nodded. Well at least he had someone he could trust, then. Even if that someone was just a slave and a whore even. It was better than having a second that didn't carry out the orders given. Ione went to get the bowl of food and she knelt in front of him, holding it up towards him. Lucius swung his legs over the side of the bed and reached for the spoon. It wasn't so warm anymore and it didn't taste too bad. And Ione was lovely to look at, kneeling before him. If he wasn't feeling so bad. But he was.

As he took the third spoonful and downed that one, he had to put the spoon down. He felt a rumble through his stomach. It did not like the food.

Lucius cursed as he tried to move up to lie down again and he felt warm all over, sweating. Fuck, was he going to retch again? In front of her? 

"Do you have any... other ideas... for me? Not soup." Lucius asked as he curled up on the bed. It hurt and in the back of his mind, he couldn't forget that Ione was here. It was so humiliating. She might see him differently now. He didn't know if that was good or bad.

@Sara

His eyes widened when she pushed herself from the fountain, suggesting they went to speak to her husband. Oh he didn't want that! In fact, that had not been his goal at all, when he and Charis walked out here, side by side, wine in hand. Now everything was fucked up. He shook his head at her suggestion, but then she stopped and seemed oddly amused although she pretended to not be. She was having fun on his expense. Making him seem like a fool. Something he didn't need. Marcus was going somewhere. He had begun his course of honor and there was no way a low woman like her was going to make a fool out of him. 

He emptied his wine and set the cup aside on the ground, before he looked at her again, "Who says he'll believe you and not me? I'm just a young guy, after all. I'm not the one with a pretense husband." He said. What could her husband do anyway? Marcus was a Patrician too. And Charis was just a woman. A freedwoman, even. She was nothing compared to him. Still, it might be better to just stay here, "Not that I feel like seeing your husband. I'm sure you can fend for yourself anyway." 

@Sara

He really couldn't stay at home today, could he? With Marius out and about in the brothel. And that man, he acted so well when Lucius was there. He was a good second! But apparently when Lucius was gone, Marius thought it was his place and treated it as such. Which he should not. He should keep on following the orders and directives that Lucius had given and decided upon. 

"He's not." Lucius repeated when she was done talking, "I thought I could trust him!" He added more angrily, but grimaced as a bolt of pain went through his stomach. Still though, he shifted to try and sit up again, "And what a surprise it is, to find that I can trust a slave more than him." He said, looking at her, "I think... I'm ready to eat now." Lucius had to get better, now. There was no way he could stay in bed.

@Sara

He missed the feeling of her fingers when she smoothed down her dress. Telling him she could trust some of her servants and slaves and she didn't need much staff for the villa. Think that he'd fallen in love with someone who had a villa of her own. Not her father's or her brother's or her husbands. But hers. He nodded at her words while he picked up his belt to tie that around his waist too. At least his hair was not in a disarray. But she might need help with hers. 

"I know I'll have to be careful. And I can be." This wouldn't be the first time he bedded a woman of a higher class. It was just the first time it was a former Vestal whose brother was a former Consul of Rome. Gods, when he thought of it like that, it all sounded so... hopeless. He didn't want it to be.

"Maybe you can send all your servants on errands at certain times?" Alexius suggested, "Or maybe I'll sneak in while the night is dark..." He smiled, although the thought of having to sneak around like that wasn't a thought he liked. He just wanted to be with her. And it was so forbidden. If only she could be his wife.

@Chevi

She nodded to his comment on the weather and they both took a seat on each their couch. He took the offer of wine too. Pinaria watched him sit and drink, watched his actions. He was almost too good. Maybe with such a man she could have some sort of influence in Rome. Some said that behind every great man, there was his wife. She smiled at the thought, while he spoke of himself, so he'd hopefully think she was smiling at his words. 

Pinaria took a cup of wine the slave offered to her too and he asked her if she'd tried the new baths.

"Not yet... sometimes it's easier to pick the baths closer to your home." She said, "It sounds like it's good work you're doing. Keeping the temples in decent repair is good. It should be a priority." She continued and sipped her wine while watching him, "It is good to see you again, Gaius. And it seems... like it may become a very regular thing." Pinaria smiled, happy that her brother agreed with her that Gaius would make a good and proper new husband to her. 

@Sharpie

He noticed how uncertain she seemed, how she shifted and he was about to order her to sit down, because that might calm her, but then she began speaking. Lucius was not happy with what he heard. The girls on the top floor with the good patrons? So they paid less than they could? Or paid higher sums for worse service? That was not what he had in mind with the brothel. And there was more. His eyes widened briefly at her revelation, but then he came to his senses.

"He's hit some of the girls? Why? Did they misbehave?" Because that would be about the only reason why a master in the brothel would hit or beat the girls. Else that was for the clients to do, not anything else. Why bruise or hurt a girl so she looked worse than what she had to? That was not good business. Lucius would have to watch Marius more closely. He couldn't say what he heard, because if Marius suspected Ione had ratted him out, he might mistreat her and she was being a very good slave to him. Why let that go to waste?

@Sara

Damn, this took a wrong turn suddenly and Marcus was not liking it. They went from having fun to not having fun at all. But it was wrong to parade a freedwoman as the wife of a Senator, a Patrician. No one could argue with that. Why else would they gossip about it and whisper like that, if it was widely accepted? It just wasn't. And while Marcus enjoyed his little flings from the lower classes, there was no way he'd ever consider marrying one or pretending to marry one. Never. And it was a pity really, this whole ordeal, because Charis had been sweet and fun so far and she was easy on the eyes, so he really messed up here. Or no, he didn't! She did! She lied to him by pretending she was something she was not. He wasn't sure what to say to her, when she smirked and pointed out she was just a freedwoman. Then she would know why he'd want to spend time with her now.

"I shouldn't fear your husband. How is it an insult, when he is the one pretending something is happening, that can't be happening? And you're helping him in keeping up the pretense. You can't marry your own freedman or freedwoman. That's just the law. That's not me deciding that." Marcus pointed out. He was clearly not drunk enough to have lost his head. He was almost proud of himself for knowing all these things. He never knew he paid attention when he apparently did! 

But he did pay attention and she was sweet and easy on the eyes and all that he just said, boiled down to one thing... "But you... you are just a freedwoman. Technically, you're not really bound to him like that. It's just pretense. You can do as you please." He smiled again, "Meaning you can have fun, if you want to." 

@Sara

He might be sick and this might be bad for business, but at least it got Ione to tell him some truths he didn't know about. About Marius at the brothel. He was a rough guy but he did what he was told, when Lucius was around. And he did trust him to handle the place when Lucius wasn't there. But when Lucius said he hoped Marius shouldn't hope he was sick often, Ione said he would act like it. And he ordered the girls around. Lucius arched a brow, displeased, yet a moment later he sent her off to the kitchens. Gods, to think he had to worry about something like Marius attempting to run the brothel, on a day like this. His mood was certainly not improving.

Finally Ione returned again and set down a tray. He could smell the broth and his stomach turned. He wasn't sure if he could eat anyway, but he probably should.

"I'll let it cool a bit." Lucius informed her. She seemed so pleased with herself, when all she did was carry out orders. Well, it didn't take much to please her, did it? It was harder to please Lucius. Especially now. And yet he wanted to learn more.

"Tell me, what does Marius order you to do? Does he overrule my orders?" He asked, because he had to know. Gods he didn't want to lose such a good henchman, but if Marius acted as if he owned the place... that was not good.

@Sara

Something was off here. A moment ago it wasn't, but now it was. The way she arched her brow, the way she sipped her drink... well she was married, of course she'd not be as easily swayed as younger and unmarried women. On the other hand, he did make her laugh. But now she wasn't laughing. Instead she spoke to him in the strangest way and then, in her own words, informed him that she was the lady they gossiped about. She'd been a slave and a barbarian and her husband was not really her husband. Marcus mind worked hard to process all the facts and transform them into something useful. So he had offended her. Because it was her, the freedwoman who came here with a Senator, who paraded her around as if she was his wife, which she never could be... 

But he had to play this right. It sounded like her so-called husband was influential. And she had been fun so far. And her so-called husband was only that. Not actually a husband... 

"I did not expect it was you they talked about!" Marcus finally said, "And it is scandalous. The gossip is out there. Anyway..." He said, sipped his drink, which was soon empty. What a pity... but at least he had company. Of a lower-class woman... "Haven't I been pleasant to you so far? And we were having fun?" He said with a grin, "Why stop?" 

@Sara

He was surprised by the way she responded, although she seemed amused when she spoke, but her face when he first spread the gossip to her... was different. Was she offended or something? Maybe she knew the Senator in question, or this concubine or whatever she was? That was not part of the plan, offending her! They were having so much fun together. Well, too late to change anything he already said and Marcus wasn't known as the type who'd linger in the past. She apparently also heard the gossip though and said the man, a Senator they'd said, was influential, so he was allowed. Oh really? Of course though. The more power you had, the less you had to worry about what you did, if it was right or wrong. Because you could just remove anyone who did not agree with you. But Charis was clearly not really amused. She grinned and sipped her wine. But her words... 

"It's just... I mean... it's frowned upon, that's all. Not that I never do scandalous things, but something like that... you don't do that. Freedmen and freedwomen are a much lower class. Their kids are citizens, but not them. Not really." See, he did pay attention to some lessons in law sometimes! "Do you know them? Is that why you're talking like that? I thought we were having fun too..." He said, giving her the sweet puppy eyes, because he didn't want her to think ill of him. Not when she was fun to be with.

@Sara

Gods he loved making her laugh like that, she really was sweet! Kind of short, but many women were. And she had that accent, that he couldn't quite place, although it did sound somewhat familiar. Perhaps her family had been in Britannia, where he was born? And he knew plenty of slaves from there. His own Silvanus came from Britannia, Longinus gave him to Marcus years ago. Tiberius' sister also had a bodyguard from there. She was fierce to look at though. Marcus didn't like her much. Charis seemed much nicer. And certainly not a slave, not with how she acted and reacted to his words.

She seemed surprised though, when he explained what he worked with and she said it was a serious thing to work with, "I enjoy it, yes. If you can enjoy prisons and all that. It's filthy. But it's nice having something to do. And learning new things. And having responsibility. I like that." Marcus said to her. She knew about that too, right? She had a husband and that meant a home and that meant responsibility. Not that she'd know about real work, but she could understand to some extent, he was sure. 

But work wasn't fun. Gossip was much more fun. She chuckled again when he leaned closer and he smirked. He liked the way she spoke.

"I heard... that one of the guests at this party brought a woman that's not his wife, but they pretend she is? Like, he's parading her like she's his wife, but she's not, because she's a freedwoman?" Marcus told her and chuckled, "I'm amazed they let him do it." 

@Sara

He leaned back against the couches behind him, while Ione left to place his things at the tablinum. All that work lost, just because he didn't feel too good. He really needed Leontia to come to his side soon, he needed her help. Sure he trusted his men at the brothel too, but she knew him and knew how he preferred things were done. He inhaled a breath and then Ione returned and he would know how it went at the brothel.

Apparently well enough. He noted how she seemed out of breath and even held a hand to her chest. Had she rushed so much? And she was clearly way too passive in bed with the clients, if a little movement like what she'd done today left her like this. But he paid attention and especially to what she said to his right hand man at the brothel. More actually, what he had apparently said to her.

"Excited? I hope he doesn't hope this will be a regular thing." Lucius replied, annoyed again. He leaned his head back again with a heavy sigh, "Do you think whatever it was you told the kitchen to make for me, is ready?" He'd already forgotten what she told him earlier. But he trusted she knew.

@Sara

It wasn't long after she'd plucked her second grape to eat, that she heard footsteps and voices by the atrium and soon a slave appeared, followed by Gaius and a slave of his. She stood when she saw him, greeting him with a friendly and open smile and he greeted her with words about the weather and her wellbeing. Perfectly polite. How come he did not have a wife yet? 

"I am well, thank you. And yes, the weather has indeed improved. It's warmer now." She said and motioned to the couches, "Please, have a seat... and something to drink?" She continued and looked to the closest slave, who was ready to pour wine for Gaius, should he want that.

"And how have you been, since we last met?" Pinaria asked and waited with sitting down again, until he'd done the same. 

@Sharpie

March, 77AD

 Time had passed since she first met Gaius Vipsanius Roscius and decided that he might be a suitable husband for her. She’d spoken to her brother and Gaius had indeed done as he suggested – or so she heard, for she had not been at home that day, but her brother informed her that Gaius had paid him a visit and they had talked about her. These were good news and she could safely tell her brother, that she did not resent Gaius in any way and she had enjoyed spending time with him the day they met. Publius was pleased too and together they decided that Gaius might indeed be her future husband. Pinaria might be an unmarried - or rather widowed - woman in the household, but she was not born yesterday and her brother knew that. She wanted influence - and she got what she wanted.

 And now she wanted to meet him again. For more than one reason. Firstly, she would like to know him better. He was so different from his brother, whom she also considered a good man, he just had not been the right one for her. But the second reason why she wanted to meet with Gaius again, had to do with something that happened very recently. A murderer, who also just randomly attacked people in Rome, had been caught. It was almost half a year since she was the one who was attacked, and she had tried to forget about it, but when he was caught very recently, it all came back… and she felt she should tell Gaius. It was unfair to marry a man and not inform him that such a thing happened to her. She told Tiberius, after all. Her future husband deserved to know too. 

 So it had been arranged that Gaius would pay another visit to the house and she had everything made ready for them. A table with couches had been set up near the peristyle and light dishes were on the table. Gaia had dressed in blue, grey and silver, which went well with her hair and her eyes. Now all she had to do was await her guest. She plucked a grape to eat while waiting.

@Sharpie

She smiled, which was pretty but not necessary right now. Especially with all her question. At least she was on her way soon enough and Lucius put on the clean tunica she found for him and considered getting up. But the moment he stood he got dizzy, so he went back into the bed. He downed a bit more wine and fell back onto the pillow to rest. His stomach was at least not so bad anymore, but he got stings of pain and thought he might need to use the latrine soon. Yes, that's what he needed. Lucius left the bed to go there and had only just returned to said bed when Ione appeared. So soon? Or had it been longer, but he just didn't realize...?

"I am here. You can leave the things in my tablinum." Lucius called back to her and sighed. He felt tired after the little trip to the private latrine at the house. There was a public place nearby too, but he preferred to not leave the house when he felt like this. Once Ione returned once more, he gave her a look, "I hope they didn't ask too many questions? Did Marius say anything?" Marius was the head guard and often his henchman and helping hand when he needed it at the brothel. That's what he'd be today. He better not come to Lucius' home.

@Sara

Marcus understood it now, the meaning of her words just before, but they could keep on playing, couldn't they? "Your memory is already better than mine. Although the things I could imagine when you say it like that... a honey covered date..." He said with a wink and said nothing more, except sipping his wine while watching her over the edge of the cup. And then he'd answered her about what he did this evening so far, daring to admit he was bored. Without saying it. He wrapped it in. See, he could be quite the politician someday, could he not? They always wrapped it in like that.

She agreed that what they spoke about didn't sound like fun and games, and then she was also just recently married. Oh? Weren't the women usually meant to marry a lot younger? Not that she was old! She was just not... not 16, definitely not. But he tried to ignore that thought, let her continue talking and he grinned again when she was done.

"You know what, you get it! Grains and taxes and such... terribly dull, yes!" He said with a little laugh, "But, I didn't stay long to talk about that, and what I work with, is hardly a subject for a party. I'm in charge of prisons and executions. It's interesting, but... not fun either. Not for a party anyway." He said thoughtfully and then the next thought hit him, because his mind just worked like that... he leaned a little closer, "Do you want to hear some gossip I heard in there?" 

@Sara