Sydney

Justinia was told that she could only stay within a certain area of the Ludus, just in case they needed her. She wanted to see Theo, so she didn't listen. Justinia left that part out of the conversation. She didn't want him to get into any more trouble like before. If she were to be punished, then so be it. To her, visiting him was worth it. Just seeing his face, even if it was for a few minutes, was worth it to her. She was lucky to have a friend like Theo. Justinia hesitated to stay. Even though he said it was alright, she felt as if she were intruding. She listened to him speak, saying it was good to spend Saturnalia with a friend. He went on to ask if she was celebrating, and she shook her head. "I'm not really the celebrating type. I wouldn't even know where to start!" Even though she lived in Rome most of her life, Saturnalia was just as strange to her as a lot of foreigners. "What do you think about all of this celebration? I don't think I could get used to all the freedom that everyone has," she said with a chuckle. There were people acting crazy on the streets, more so than usual. @Chevi

Justinia lived in the brothel, but the place felt lonely most of the time. Not in the literal sense, as there were always people in it bustling around and about, but in the sense that she really didn't have anyone to rely on. Nobody was as kind or understanding as Theo. With his job, you'd think someone like him would be crueler, being in the ludus all the time couldn't have made anyone weak. She never did think of him as weak, as she knew that he could take drastic measures if it ever came to that. During Saturnalia, she felt like she'd want to spend her time with him. Justinia didn't care to drink or to dance, she wanted to spend her time doing things she normally couldn't. He froze for a second, and she even wondered if he knew who it was. He then said her name and walked over to her. "Yeah, everything's fine. I just wanted to come and see you," she said. "I haven't seen you for a while so I thought that I might stop by." She tucked her hair behind her ear and looked behind him. Of course, he was doing work. She felt bad, knowing that she might have interrupted him. Her eyes went wide. "Oh, I didn't mean to walk in on your work. I can always come back later! I'm so sorry." She didn't even think about the possibility of him working, being Saturnalia and all. She should've known better. @Chevi

After Theo and Justinia’s last encounter, she wondered if he would ever come back. Days and months had gone by and she hadn’t seen him. Part of her was worried that something happened to him—the other part of her was nervous that he wasn’t coming back because she was too much trouble. Men came and went (literally), and without any sign of Theo, she wondered if he skipped town. She wouldn’t blame him; the situation they got into was scary. It wasn’t like him to not be in contact with her over a long period of time. Maybe he moved on, and she would’ve understood. Justinia wasn’t the new prostitute at the Venus anymore, and she had time to observe. It wasn’t a terrible place, but her once-cheerful optimism was long gone. She wasn’t as naive. Men did many things to her, some of which were unspeakable, and it made her grow up even more. Things were easier when she finally came to terms with her situation that she wasn’t going to get out of it anytime soon. But as Saturnalia started, she was able to leave the Venus. She just wanted answers. Justinia wanted to see if Theo was still at the Ludus. Maybe he hadn’t left, maybe he was working on the things he said he would. But high hopes were a thing of the past for the woman. Still, she wanted to know. Justinia finally got to the Ludus and she entered. It seemed as if it was pretty Barron, with a lot of people celebrating Saturnalia with their families, friends, or at a popina. Exploring a little more lead here to see someone still working despite nobody being there. She knew who the Greek man was. “Hello Theo,” she said, confirming that he hadn’t skipped town or died. A genuine smile popped up on her face. @Chevi

Priscilla looked up from the cup when Aia had a question. How would she know when she doesn't know about them? That was a good question. In Priscilla's life, things always had a way of working themselves out, even if they were unexpected. She believed that she was an expert at life by now, being her age, and that things would more often happen unexpectedly. She nodded. "I can see that you have that concern. Sometimes events in one's life can change a person drastically. We usually think about that in a negative way--trauma, death, war--but when I look into your cup, I see a good change. An event will happen that will change your emotions for the better. Whether that event is good or bad, I am not sure. But it will bring out the best in you, there is no doubt." @Chevi

Oriana was clearly upset about the situation. She wanted to get her words in, but maybe it was better to listen. She needed to settle down and hear him out. She took a breath and listened. He spoke, not in a hateful way, but in a way that she understood. She knew exactly what he was talking about and it showed on her face. She gripped her cup as she had it filled again, but she didn’t take a drink from it. Not yet. Had her father, Aulus, really slept around? She wouldn’t be surprised. She never paid attention to that kind of stuff as a child. He asked her again why she would lie about this. She shrugged. “I don’t know. You tell me why I would lie about this.” She took a sip of her wine. “I’m richer than you. I have a great life with a great father. I gain nothing from this, but you gain everything.” If he was really a slime ball, he would use this as leverage against her. He’d tell people and she wouldn’t even be considered as a marriage candidate to Senators or anyone of her class. Everything she worked for would be...gone. She couldn’t even look at Marcus. Oriana looked down at her wine, almost in shame at what is happening. @Gothic

Priscilla wanted to be right, her intentions were good and she cared. She didn’t get all of them right, of course, but she claimed only to help people with their fortune, their love life, and their future. She never guaranteed anything, she made sure of that. She nodded at Aia and looked back, turning the cup at different points. “Hm,” she said when she noticed some of the spices placed differently in the cup. She was puzzled. “You have a lot of repressed emotions. There is this front that you want everyone to see, but there’s a different side of you that very little see. Maybe you have not realized those emotions yet, either. But you will.” @Chevi

Priscilla was wanting to help whoever she can, and most people came with an open mind and a good attitude. It seemed to be the opposite for the young lady in front of her, which she felt a little disappointed. She really was only trying to help and Aia seem very unconvinced. Well, hopefully the reading will change her attitude. She took the cup from her and got out her precious small, glass bowl. Priscilla added a small drop of water in it and empties the contents into the glass bowl to get a better reading. For a span of two minutes, she was silent. Priscilla was completely focused on the alignment of the spices in the bowl, what floated and what didn’t. Finally, she nodded and looked up at Aia. “You have went through many hardships in your life, haven’t you? It tells me that you have always had a hard time finding your place in society; you may be still trying to find your identity and how you fit.” Priscilla looked at her, very serious and really trying to help Aia. She waited for a response before she moved on. @Chevi

Priscilla was more than interested in learning about the lady, especially after she admitted she didn't want to talk about herself. Well, she'd be in for a surprise. That was her specialty, and maybe the red-haired woman would learn more about herself here than she knew already. She shook her head and laughed when Aia suggested that it would make her talk about herself. "No, of course not. But I will read your cup after you are finished drinking it. You might learn things about who you are as a person though you might not. And maybe that boy of yours will also be in your reading." She smirked. She wondered if the last line would convince her. Priscilla could already see things about her that she was holding back. They were obvious insecurities, but she would do whatever she could to help her and maybe her friend as well. @Chevi

Priscilla raised her eyebrow when she heard the girl talking. She was really trying to not talk about herself, but that’s was Priscilla’s job. She was only here to read the person in front of her, no one else and no exceptions. The girl laughed too and flattered her, which wasn’t going to help. She leaned towards her in her chair, getting a good read on Aia. “And why aren’t you matron material, dear? It seems you tend to not talk about yourself. Is that correct?” When she finished speaking, she got out a cup, a basket of spices, and a jug of wine. She poured the wine into the cup and threw a handful of spices into the dark liquid. She pushed it over to the lady. “This will not taste good, but drink it until there is only a small amount left.” @Chevi

Justinia thrives off of stories to tell her other customers. She always had something that they wanted to hear. Sometimes customers wanted to be jealous, other times they wanted to be comforted. And the cocky man in front of her was definitely one to take up a challenge. Because of Justinia’s young age and how she was a body slave for a very demanding man the last couple of years, she outlasted all of the men that came into the Venus. She figured that the man in front of her would present a challenge—unless it was really just him talking up a big game. “Kill? Oh no, dominus. He got much pleasure out of it. He almost passed out from how many times he finished.” She smiled. The man who had her for eight hours was not as good as some men who came to the Venus, but his wife must have left him without physical pleasure for some time if he had her for so long. She chuckled when he did that if he failed, he would try again and again. “It sounds like something that any woman would hope for, a man who never gives up,” she said brushing her hair back. “I’ll make sure we have plenty of wine to keep yourself hydrated and some bread to have something in your system.” @Brian

Priscilla was somewhat of an expert on relationships despite only being in one with her late husband. But she heard it all from others; what they were looking for, what they wanted in a partner, and what they wanted with themselves. She often had people come in to confirm their suspicions with crushes, though sometimes they walked out disappointed. The red-haired lady was pushing her towards the man, but Priscilla looked unamused. She was known for being blunt, after all. Her face looked annoyed, but she smiled after Aia spoke. “And what about you dear? You are looking for a wife for this man, why are you not considering yourself?” The line was almost to speak back to her, as someone who was looking for help for someone else rarely wanted to bring up their own love life. Now, why was she so interested in this man’s future lover? Priscilla answered her own question, but she’d still try to press the girl in a comforting way. @Chevi

Priscilla was interested in the young lady's past, her being from Gaul and all. It was a far away land, with Rome being a new world in a sense. She wondered if the girl traveled to the empire on her own or was forcefully taken. Either way, the journey must have been hard. That was a question for another day, though. She listened to the woman who spoke about her friend needing a match. Priscilla shook her head. "I cannot do that, dear. I will only be able to do the match of someone presently in my shop. How am I supposed to know a person who I cannot speak and talk to face to face?" It was rare that she had someone play a prank on their friends by setting them up with a date, though a lot tried. She always denied the request, joke or not. She couldn't be responsible for someone who wasn't present and speaking to her. "You can either bring your friend here or I can help you with your life and matchmaking, if you please. It is kind that you are helping a friend, but I cannot help with that." @Chevi

Priscilla was someone who enjoyed the company of others. Though she seemed like that weird half-blind lady down the block, she was always kind to those who visited the shop—as long as they had the coin. Buying wine, trinkets, and time wasn’t something that she offered for free. She also would raise the prices for someone of higher status, but nobody had to know that. “Aia, what a beautiful name. You are different from the Romans. Red hair, pale. You come from a different land.” It was obvious that she was different, but Priscilla needed to make sure she had Aia on her side. She always needed the customer to trust her just enough. “But yes, that is me. They call me Priscilla the Wise.” She was dead serious on the outside. But it was always a little prank when she told people that. Most people didn’t call her that, though those that did she appreciated. She figured those were the ones most gullible as well. “I do matchmaking and fortune telling. I can help with your love life, your career, your family, anything you need. For a price, of course,” she said with a smile. She sounded sweet, though she was serious about her coin. @Chevi

Priscilla enjoyed helping people find some sort of comfort. That’s what her job was based around. She would tell some what the not-yet-known love of their life was like, how their job prospects would be, and the health of a family member. She liked to think that she was right most of the time, but she could be wrong. The day had gone by quickly—she was busy, and this time of year was the perfect weather for possibly meeting the love of one’s life or to have children. She was organizing her shelf when she heard someone behind her. Priscilla turned, a smile on her face. She saw the red hair that wasn’t very common in Rome. She believed it was a symbol of passion, ambition, and troublemaking. Nonetheless, it was a sight for sore eyes. “Ah, Salve,” she said, making her way to the table in the middle of the room. Her walls aligned with knick knacks, dice, and animal bones. She had a symbol from all of the gods, blessings that she hoped helped her predictions. She sat in the chair, opening her hand and inviting her guest to sit as well. “Your name, dear? And what can I help you with?” @Chevi

The moment she got a cup of wine, she completely downed it. She was stressed, angry, and hated Marcus’ company. Her father could’ve been any of the thousands of people in Rome. He could’ve even been dead, which would’ve been better. She was embarrassed to be related to such a dirty person. And the things he said to her at one point...ick. There was silence when Oriana spoke, and when Marcus spoke again, it wasn’t what she expected. He thought she was lying?! If only she was! It would’ve been better for her in every way to lie than to tell him the truth. She could only roll her eyes at his incompetent answer. “You think I’m lying?” She said, snapping back. “Literally anything would be better than having you as a father. I’d rather my real father be dead.” She had her cup filled up with wine again. Oriana downed it once again. “I came to tell you before we decided to slit each other’s throats. My adoptive father told me that my mother told him before she died. Figures, she was out to make everybody’s lives miserable. And now her dumbass decision to sleep with you is still making my life miserable ten years after she died.” @Gothic