Echo

"What a fun question," Marcellus replied, amused with her bluntness. Anyone who had a brain knew that racing was very dangerous and that charioteers and horses often died. Marcellus had accepted this fact; it made life so much easier if one accepted realities and moved on. And the danger almost made the races more exciting, and the time away from them that much more rewarding. He felt that he earned his pay everyday and had also earned his renown, and that was all he needed out of life. 

"Well, I suppose so. I'm not good at much else, so I think I'm stuck racing." Cynane had also asked if he had a place of his own or if he lived at the stables. "Currently, I'm living at the stables. But I've been thinking about shelling out and living in the insulae. And I suppose you live with your mistress?"

@Atrice

The man corrected her for calling him the wrong thing, and while her first reaction was to get her feathers ruffled at being corrected, she smoothed herself down before it could show on her face. "Manius Rutilius Gallus. My apologies. May I call you Manius?" She always thought it was a mouthful to call someone by their entire name, except at a formal meeting. She didn't consider this meeting to be overly formal. "I am Caecina Tusca - you may call me Caecina." She knew this man was a freedman, so she didn't seen any reason for him to treat her like she owned him. 

He spoke again, hoping that he didn't keep her waiting. She waved her hand. "Not at all, I'm sure I kept you waiting instead." She shifted awkwardly, unsure of what to talk about, so, she just decided to get down to business. "So, I understand that you are here to replace my old bodyguard, Setianus. Do you have experience as a bodyguard?"

@Atrice

With the recent developments and the countless lives lost across Rome, Annis was feeling shaken in her faith. How could the gods have allowed so many people to die? She certainly didn't understand the workings of the gods and it made her head hurt to try to wrap her mind around it, and her heart hurt to dwell on it. The tragedy was just that - a tragedy. And there had been plenty of times the gods had not stopped such tragedies from happening. Still, she felt that she had to thank Andrasta for seeing her through her many battles, at least. 

She looked back at Alexius as he suggested they get out of the ludus for a little while and her eyes softened. "You're kind, Alexius. I don't know what I did to deserve a friend like you." She stood slowly, her joints aching as she had been sitting on the hard ground without moving for some time. "Yes, I think that would help a little."

@Atrice

"Why should I need another bodyguard?" Caecina huffed, staring at her reflection in the mirror as Astraea styled her hair. "Old Setianus was good enough. And he could come back after he heals up a bit." It was no secret that Caecina was miffed about the whole situation. Firstly, she was upset that the old Egyptian who had watched over her for several years now had been injured - he was a kind soul and almost like a father figure, just as Astraea was like a mother. Secondly, she thought of herself as an enterprising young woman, able to take care of herself, and was annoyed that no one else thought so. No one had bothered upbraiding her about this attitude yet, reminding her of the danger of being labeled as a member of the senatorial class. 

"Setianus is a free man, and he was getting older. He was ready to retire. And he's passing on your protection." Astraea was the voice of reason, as always, and Caecina simmered into silence, which remained until she was dressed and ready. She had chosen a simple chiton and palla for this meeting, seeing as she wasn't in public, but it was nice enough to make a good impression. Finally, she walked downstairs, putting on a friendly smile as she saw the man before her. "Manius Gallus, I presume? Welcome to our home. Please, come sit." She gestured him into a sitting room and sat, arranging her skirts primly. 

@Atrice

Marcellus laughed at her jab. "Oh, yes. They're all a fan of the stables. But you're not just any woman." He hoped she would take him up on it so he would have the opportunity to teach her to love the races. And maybe even put her on a horse - he wondered if she'd ever ridden before. He shrugged and grinned as she said they would see. "Well, just let me know." His confident nature came back and he assured himself that he would see her again. 

Cynane suggested his mother might have been young when she'd been taken, like she was. "Perhaps," he said pensively. He just knew that the woman didn't have much of a German accent and that she didn't talk about Germania at all, so there was no telling unless he asked her outright. He hadn't seen her in months, though. Cynane then said she didn't know whether she'd return home, though she wanted to be free and he nodded knowingly. "I understand that. I was a slave until I was a young man. And then I was recognized for my talent and... well, here we are today." His supposed father had given him that freedom. "Yes, I was freed. And decided to stay with the Whites."

@Atrice

Annis had pondered this same topic many times before. She chafed under the rule of the ludus, under the weight of her title as a slave, but, comparatively speaking, she was lucky. Her days were not filled with the back-breaking labor she'd witnessed other slaves doing. She didn't have to stay cooped up in a house, cooking or cleaning for Romans who only spoke to her to give orders or reprimands. She got a sword in her hand once in a while, enjoyed some prestige. And yet, her rank was no higher than the slaves who built Rome or served it food. No slave was different. 

She downed the rest of her second drink, feeling a sort of depression press down on her chest. She knew Cynane hadn't meant to depress her. After all, she couldn't control how she felt, and she was in a difficult position anyway. But at the same time, Annis still felt that weight in her chest and suddenly wanted nothing more than to lay down, ignore the world for a while, and eventually fall into dreamless sleep. She tossed a coin onto the counter, giving her best effort at a smile to the other woman. "I hope you will, too. And one day, we can share a drink together, in Britannia." She stood slowly. "Come and see me sometime. Maybe you can show me some good fighting tips so I can beat my opponents."

@Atrice

Deia had never been put into a position where she'd had to (or been able to) defend herself, and had only handled a knife to cut bread, never a person. There had been plenty of times she'd wanted to cut a customer, certainly. But then she would be beaten and that wasn't worth it. Thessala was amusing, though, and Deia chuckled a little. "I was more thinking that I would probably get disarmed before I got the chance to do any damage. But I appreciate it." 

Thessala went on to explain that she was from Thrace and that her family had sold her for food. She imagined that would be a difficult thing to go through and Deia did not envy her. But at the same time, Deia had never had a real family and so could not relate to that kind of betrayal. She'd gone through life trusting very few people. "It's good that you enjoy being a gladiatrix, at least." She took one more sip of the wine, feeling her nerves steady a little. Her hands were no longer shaking, anyway. Then Thessala asked if she would ever buy her freedom and she chuckled a little. "One can hope. But it would take me years to save up enough to do it. Are you hoping to buy your freedom, then?"

@Chevi

"Well, my step-brother and I spend a lot of time together, but even with a friend such as he, one can run out of things to do! I'm very glad to be back in the city." Marcus and Caecina entertained each other in many ways, she thought briefly. Tertius kindly acknowledged Caecina's aging Greek servant, who gave him a deferential nod and lowered her gaze. Caecina knew her real purpose in accompanying her here: to make sure she behaved herself. She chafed a little under the woman's watchful gaze; after all, she'd been so good recently, and had given her guardian almost nothing to report back to Juliana but good behavior. But on the other hand, Caecina was thankful for a familiar face when meeting new people and being received in their home. 

After a moment more, Tertius suggested they proceed into the triclinium and the young woman nodded, smiling. "That sounds wonderful, thank you." She accepted Teutus's arm as they made their way to the dining area, looping her own slender arm through his. She was impressed by his instincts. As they walked, Teutus asked about her father. "Yes, that's right. He spends almost all of his time there, though goodness knows why!" She knew she'd never find herself there. "Well, usually I am accompanied by Astraea here. But, yes, my stepmother spends her time at the villa, so I am usually here alone." Well, as alone as she could be, shadowed by her slave. She also had Marcus to spend time with. 

@Sharpie @Atrice

"The roof fell on you. But you're okay, you did the right thing, getting in the doorway." She shifted a few more pieces of rubble, then brushed away some of the dust on the woman's face. She knew Thessala was hurt badly, and the best thing to do would be to get her to Theo. As Alexius tried to help her up, Annis tried her best to help. A couple others rushed over to help, and between four of them, they lifted Thessala's bruised body and carried her to where Theo was gathering the injured. The lucky ones. As they laid her friend down, Annis refused to leave her, holding her hand in an effort to comfort her. "You're going to be just fine, Saba. Just fine."

@Chevi @Atrice

Deia realized her slip and blushed. "Right. Sorry." She should have known that Thessala wouldn't consider her work as a job, since it wasn't paid work. Deia could identify with that, since she wasn't paid either. And she certainly did not enjoy her work, no matter how much she pretended to for customers who wanted their girls to be enthusiastic. 

Thessala went on to suggest that the Romans thought they were dangerous and Deia laughed ruefully. "Oh, well, maybe you. But I don't think anyone would think I was dangerous. I wouldn't know what to do if I had a knife." But she would like to have one, maybe. Perhaps she could leave the brothel and melt into the crowds of Rome. But she knew, deep down, she didn't have the gumption. Thessala then asked where she had come from before the brothel she was at currently. "Well... I'm from Greece. But I was born in a brothel there and I kind of just... went from one to the other. Where are you from?"

@Chevi

Caecina acted shocked, though the reasonable side of her mind told her that it made sense that he hadn’t caught a lady yet. He was young still and in some legal troubles that occupied his mind to the exclusion of most other matters. But she decided to tease him a little. “I simply don’t believe you,” she grinned. “And if it’s true, it’s a crying shame. A handsome devil like you! Why, you ought to have ten girls vying for your attention this minute.” 
As always when presented with a compliment, Caecina’s eyes lit up and she dimpled, pleased with his words. “Well, I am only too happy to oblige you, Lucius. You know, we’ve never talked much before, and that’s a shame, too.” She gazed at him, then lowered her eyes to her dress, picking at some imaginary dust. “We should do it more often, especially in fine weather like today.”

@Chris

Caecina had taken note of the domus as she arrived there, and had seen that it'd been repaired, for the most part. That wasn't surprising; of course a man like Tertius would have the funds and the means to repair his home quicker than the insulae that had toppled. It was a lovely home, too, though perhaps in need of a feminine touch due to the lack of a mistress here. "I'm very glad for you that your domus was not terribly damaged," she said. "It would be such a shame, to lose such a beautiful home." Tertius then complimented his son on his help moving the people out of the domus that morning and she smiled at the young man. "I knew you were a brave soul, Teutus. I'm a good judge of character, and your household is lucky to have you."

Teutus kissed the back of her fingers and she gave him a slightly flirtatious look as she drew her hand back. Poor dear - he seemed so unsure of himself. Caecina had had beaux like that before, where they questioned their own every move and bored her till she could scream with their fumbling and awkwardness. But Teutus didn't seem quite so bad off. He was gracious, certainly, offering her a drink, and kind for asking her if she was scared during the earthquake. "Oh, yes, thank you!" 

As one was handed to her, she returned to his original question. "Oh, I was simply trembling - though that could have been because the earth was moving!" She laughed at her own joke. "But after it was all over, I was as bored as I could be! Tertius knows how I love the city, and being trapped at the villa for much longer than I anticipated was like being in prison." She wasn't exactly exaggerating, either. Such a social person as herself was bound to feel trapped by the wide-open nothingness that surrounded the country estate. Caecina's glance turned away from the two men as she saw movement in the doorway and smiled as she saw Astraea, her slave, who had let her alone for a few moments to supervise the storing of the litter until it was time to go. "Tertius, you'll remember my body servant, Astraea."

@Sharpie @Atrice

It was good, at least, that she seemed slightly interested in coming to the races again, even if it was only because he got her in for free. It was a start. "If you want, afterwards, I can show you the stables, too." Despite his interest in women usually stopping at sex and nothing more, Marcellus was fascinated by this woman who was obviously not very impressed by him. It was like a challenge in a way, but he didn't want to conquer her or anything. He was genuinely interested in learning more about her, as much as an overgrown boy could be interested in something. 

She asked if his mother was a slave and he nodded, thinking about the woman. "Yes, she was. But, like I said, she seems to have assimilated completely. She never talks about Germania." He looked at her inquisitively. She seemed to have retained much about her own culture, despite having been in Rome for a good while. "And I guess you didn't choose to come to Rome?" 

@Atrice

When Annis felt helpless, she felt like a caged tiger, all full of energy, pacing back and forth, but without anything to do with that energy. Cynane seemed like she felt helpless too and it made Annis feel sad for her. Cynane explained that she and her tribe had had slaves but that they had been treated much differently than how the Romans treated them. "Yes, I'd heard of those kinds of slaves. The Romans have their own brand of cruelty and brutality that they pretend isn't there." As though they were not people. 

Cynane said she wouldn't choose being a whore for herself and Annis laughed a little, seeing that she had been misunderstood. "Oh, I wouldn't choose it either. I was just joking." It was how she dealt with difficult concepts. Longinus didn't seem like a fool, and she hoped he would see that letting her continue to win fights would make him more money in the long run than selling her to Titus. 

@Atrice

Aglaea smiled as Rufus mentioned dolphins. "Yes, I saw dolphins a few times as well on my journey. I also saw whales - I've never imagined animals so big." At the time, the only frame of reference Aglaea had about whales had been the story of Jonah, which had sent her below deck when she thought of it. But looking back, she knew that she had been very lucky to see such a thing when some people had never even stepped on the deck of a ship. 

The woman glanced up at the sky and then realized she had been idling for some time, speaking with this nice young man. "It was a pleasure speaking with you, Rufus. I'm afraid I must be going now, though. I suppose I've been putting off returning home to tell my mistress I was robbed." She chuckled good-naturedly. She wasn't really afraid of Livia, and if they worked together, they could conceal the theft from Secundus. "Thank you for sitting with me. I hope we meet again."

@Sharpie End?

Annis knew she wasn't being fair to her friend, or friendly at all. She knew he didn't have the answers, because no one could know what the gods were thinking when they allowed such calamity to fall on the earth. For so long, Annis had relied on her faith in Andrasta, the goddess of war - evidently she had neglected to consider the other gods and what they were up to. But in any case, Alexius couldn't be expected to know everything, even though his answer was kind and good-natured. 

He had said it wasn't unfair. It wasn't, he was right. Renna and all the others who had been found crushed and bloodied under the weight of the roof meant to protect them from the elements... they hadn't deserved their fate. They deserved to win their freedom in the arena and move on with their lives. Annis felt dirty when she realized she still had that chance and the others had had their chance snatched away in one night. She had been quiet for some time now, drifting in and out of reverie, so she decided to say something at least. "Thank you for coming, Alexius. You didn't have to. But I appreciate it." A change of scenery might be useful, too, just as Alexius was thinking. 

@Atrice

Annis dimly realized that she was being a downer, but despite her normally positive attitude, she couldn't seem to pull herself out of the mist. Alexius was a good man and she appreciated his friendship, but even for him, she couldn't make herself feel better. It was too close to the situation still. Perhaps in a few more days, a week or two, she would feel better. But not now. Now was the time for drinking. 

She managed a faint smile when Alexius said that his son had survived and his neighbors had cared for him. "Good, good." It was heartening, in a bitter sort of way, to hear that some people had survived, at least. Alexius then asked her if she was grateful to be alive and she laughed, a humorless and bitter sound. "All those people, Alexius... all of them died." She drew her eyes to the rubble again, though she seemed to look through and beyond the ruined part of the building. "And I lived. Why did I live?"

@Atrice

Ah, so her suspicions had been correct - there was an ulterior motive at play here. It was curious that Tertius had not mentioned his son when telling her about his children - or, child, rather. He had only mentioned Antonia. So, why omit a young man like Teutus? She resolved to use the feminine grapevine to find out what she could about this situation, but for now, decided to play her most charming and vivacious self. 

If momentary confusion had flashed across her face, she quickly recovered and smiled. "Ah, of course! I might have guessed, given the family resemblance!" The two men favored one another, that was certain. "Good evening, Teutus. It is such a pleasure to meet you. But, please, just Caecina will do!" She extended a hand for him to take, either to shake or to kiss as some men chose to do. Tertius then joked that the weather was better and she laughed. "Certainly, though anything would be better than that downpour! And what about the earthquake a few weeks ago! Were you in the city? Goodness, I thought the earth would swallow us whole. Of course, I was at our villa at the time, so the tremors were not so pronounced."

@Atrice @Sharpie

Caecina had predicted that her interaction with the older senatorial man would produce results in one way or another, and she had been proven right the morning that his invitation had arrived. His excuse for inviting her was that he wanted to thank her for her kindness in sending for a litter for him as well, though she thought that was a little sparse of a reason - surely there was another motive, though what she couldn't imagine. But never one to pass up an opportunity to get out of the house, especially since she'd been stuck in the villa for nearly a month because of the earthquake, she had written back promptly and excitedly to accept his invitation. 

On the evening of the dinner, Caecina had taken great pains to dress herself fashionably in her most attractive clothes, a white chiton with a painstaking embroidered pattern along the hem, accompanied with a pale blue palla, also with embroidered trimming, that set her eyes off sparkling. It wasn't that she dressed this way in order to impress her acquaintance - she just loved the opportunity to dress well! She finished the ensemble with a curled hairdo and some choice jewelry pieces, then she and her trusty slave Astraea were on their way. 

Upon arrival, Caecina was shown into the entryway by a household slave, then followed behind as she was led to the atrium. As they entered the room and she was announced, Caecina dimpled at the sight of the older man, going to him first with a friendly embrace and a pert peck upon either cheek. "Tertius, you handsome devil! I was so happy to receive your invitation! Once more, you've saved me from boredom. I simply don't know how to thank you!" She had had great success half-flirting with the older man before, so she had decided to employ the same tactic now. She turned her gaze on the younger man in the room, grinning equally at him. "And who might I have the pleasure of meeting here?"

@Atrice @Sharpie

Hiya! Can I get a board for the home of Caecina Tusca and her family? I’d like it to be in the Domi Palatini area since they are strong supporters of Caesar and are wealthy, please. Her fathers name is Quintus Caecina Tuscus for naming purposes. Thanks!

Alexius agreed to sit with her for a while and she supposed that being sad and getting drunk with someone was better than doing it alone. At least it looked better. The man took the jug from her and drank and she watched in vague approval. Alexius certainly knew how to drink, that was for sure. He had been so kind to her since they had met and she was glad that they had. 

After a moment, he asked her how she had been and she shrugged listlessly. Her eyes raked over the ruined parts of the ludus. "I'm... alive." Somehow, the way she said it made it sound like it wasn't a good thing. "And they're still trying to remove the debris so they can rebuild." Alexius remarked that his insula had remained standing. That was good. "I'm glad to hear that. Was your son alright?" She accepted the wine and took another drink. 

@Atrice

Deia dipped her head as Thessala said likewise. She seemed like a vibrant person, Deia thought, and fun to be around, though the prostitute felt that she was hardly able to match such energy at the moment. She had to save that for when she was actually out at the party. Thessala proceeded to explain that she actually was a gladiatrix and Deia nodded in response, drinking a little bit more. She had never been to the arena before, since she'd only recently arrived, and she doubted she would probably never have the pleasure. 

"Is that a very dangerous job, then? I can't imagine..." She had the sudden thought that perhaps it might be preferable to face an enemy who was tangible, rather than her fears of insecurity and abuse. It would certainly be preferable to face an enemy with a sword in hand, anyway; even if she didn't know how to use it. Thessala said that they didn't let her bring swords out of the ludus and she grinned. "They do keep us under lock and key, don't they?"

@Chevi

Annis drummed her fingers against the counter, the only way she could let herself express the anger she felt at Cynane's friend's situation. She hated feeling helpless - it was the same feeling she'd had when Longinus had met her for the first time and she'd been laid out on a table, unable to move because of her injuries. She didn't know Cynane's friend but it burned her up that she couldn't help. She was only a slave, even if she had gained notoriety for her work in the arena. 

Cynane said that they were all at the mercy of the Romans and in response, Annis took a long swig of her new drink. "Their cruelty... I just don't understand it. I'm sorry about your friend, though. I hope you get to see her again soon." Cynane expressed her own hope that Longinus wouldn't sell her to Titus and she shrugged, giving a bit of an ironic grin. "Hey - maybe I can make some real money that way." She hoped it wouldn't come to her being sold, but she didn't want to think about it. 

@Atrice

Marcellus supposed he was technically a Roman, though the citizenship of a freedman was shaky at best in his opinion. He was only allowed to be free because someone had recognized his talent for the races and let him be free to pursue that career. He was totally at Spurius's whim and he sometimes resented that, making him question whether he really counted as a Roman. Romans were free. Marcellus could never truly be free of his sponsor. Cynane accepted his apology and then conceded that she maybe could enjoy the races. He brightened up at that. "Excellent. I can get you in for free if you ever want to come by yourself." As a charioteer, he did have a certain pull with admissions to let people in for free. 

Cynane went on to describe the things she liked, ending it by remarking that she wasn't Roman with a proud little smile, which Marcellus answered with his own grin. "That is clear, you certainly don't seem like those other women." He meant it as a compliment, not that she would accept it anyway. "My mother was Germanic, I think. But she never really acted like a German. She acted like a Roman." Or like a slave.

@Atrice

Annis had just been thinking about Alexius as she stared into nothingness, thinking about how she might not have made it without his help, nor would have Thessala. He might not be her only lover, but he was a good friend and a faithful ally to the gladiators and gladiatrices. She hoped he was doing well and that his son was alright. She couldn't stand for another friend to be in pain. Then, just as she had been thinking these things, she heard his voice! She dragged herself out of her reverie and gave a shadow of a smile.

"Alexius," she said softly. His voice was so cheerful - he was probably here to help her feel better, which was so kind of him. "Sure, there's enough wine here for us both." She picked up the amphora and held it out to him. 

@Atrice