Echo

Aglaea was in her own world. It was sunny, with the sun beating down on her dark hair and warming her up. But her mind was not in Rome. It was in Judea, trying to grasp the memories of her childhood that sometimes seemed so fleeting. Sometimes, she could not remember the faces of her mother or father. But the slave was drawn from her musings by a voice nearby. She hadn't noticed the man until he was quite close. "Oh, that's alright. I'm perfectly comfortable here." She gave him a smile. "But thank you for offering." 

She took a moment to look at who she was talking to. He towered over her, especially since she was seated and he was standing, and was very muscular. She wondered where in the domus he worked. The few times she had accompanied Livia to visit Horatia, Aglaea usually stayed with her mistress and so had not met many people in the household. "I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. I'm Aglaea."

@Chevi

Aglaea was settled on the bank, her legs trailing through the water up to her calves as she considered Judea and her life there. She watched as her mistress swam back and forth with an absent gaze, her elbow resting on her knee with her chin in her hand. Livia suddenly splashed her and she gave a short shriek. "Hey! No fair!" She laughed, though, good-natured. "Did you go swimming back then, too?"

Sighing, the slave rose from her seated position and walked toward their blanket, though she was still listening as Livia spoke. "I don't think so, especially if you mention that the kitchen slaves could use the almonds from the trees we plant instead of buying them. It might save money in the long run." As she answered, she, too, stripped down to her underclothes and folded them on the blanket. She pulled her hair back and then walked back to the stream. "Alright, you convinced me. I'm coming in!" Slowly but surely, she waded into the creek until it was up to her thighs. "I don't know how you stand this water, domina. I'm freezing."

@Liv

Aglaea followed close behind Livia to the water's edge, breathing in deeply. The sound of the water whispering over the pebbly streambed brought her soul a moment of comfort. The smell of fresh water, too, was cleansing, hard as the smell is to describe. Aglaea laughed a little. "You needn't worry about the time. I'll remember." Seeing how it was her one purpose to keep Livia happy and healthy, getting her back to the domus was important. When Livia squealed about the temperature of the water, Aglaea put a few fingers into it and drew them back, shaking the droplets off. "I don't think you'll be able to entice me into that for a while yet!"

Livia spoke of Hispania and Aglaea heard the longing in her voice. Sometimes, Aglaea remember Judea in the same way. Despite the difficulties in her early childhood, she sometimes wondered what life would have been like if her parents had not given her up to her first mistress. She would probably be poor, for one thing. As Livia commented that she was happy that Aglaea was with her, she smiled wistfully. "I am glad I am, too." But a pang went through her heart, a familiar tug that made her wonder which she wanted more: her freedom, or to stay with her friend. 

@Liv

Aglaea obediently set to helping her mistress undress, unclasping her stola pulling it gently to the ground, careful to watch for any falling paper. When she saw none, she folded the stole and placed it on the blanket. Her own opinions about the morality of her mistress's love affair with Marcus aside, she desperately wanted to see her happy, so she was willing to turn a blind eye and keep quiet about it. She also knew that her suggestion of a poppy draught was not possible, but it was nice to entertain the idea anyway. 

Once Livia was undressed, Aglaea took off her sandals, intending only to soak her feet for a while. She might fully submerge eventually, but it was mainly her feet that were hot. "This is a beautiful spot. I am glad you are able to come here sometimes. If there's a benefit to Secundus' bullish behavior, it's the silence afterwards."

@Liv

April, 75CE

Today was a special day. Today, Livia had convinced her controlling husband, Secundus, to let her visit her sister Horatia. Naturally, Aglaea, who was like Livia's shadow, was right along with her as they traveled to the Praetextatus household. As the two sisters began visiting, Aglaea ensured they had all they needed, and then was dismissed to let the sisters talk in private. She was pleased to be trusted enough by her mistress to be left to her own devices for a while, and it was always pleasant to be away from Secundus's domus. Anything was better than the gloom and worry that was constantly in the air there. 

Aglaea decided to grab something to eat. Familiar enough with the layout of the domus, she walked there and politely asked for some food. Once she had a plate and a cup of wine, she stepped out into the back of the house and sat on a step to eat her food. It was a beautiful day, and it was a shame to spend it cooped up inside when she could be enjoying it. 

@Chevi

"Well, I am sure we will have a marvelous time together!" The pair stopped for food in the thermopolia. Once they had the parcels in hand, it was to the stadium! Caecina led the way, comfortable with that position, and once they reached the stadium, she led the way to her family's normal seats. "We have such a good view from here," she commented. The gladiators were not yet in the stadium, so Caecina suggested they eat first. 

"I have been considering becoming a patron for a gladiator, but I haven't brought it up to my father or Juliana. I can't imagine they would let me," she giggled. 

@Atrice

Aglaea finished her small meal and brushed the crumbs off her tunic and took another sip of wine. She heard a voice and looked up with a smile. "Of course not, there's room enough for both of us." She moved over slightly so the other woman had enough room. Gazing at her through the side of her eye, she watched her fan herself. Not one to leave silence when there was room for conversation, she spoke up. "It's very hot today, isn't it? Here, you can use this, if you want." Aglaea pulled a scrap piece of parchment from her pocket and handed it to the other woman. It would probably make for a better fan than her hand. 

@Laria

Aglaea was careful to guard her speech when around Secundus; surely, he would never understand the relationship between his wife and her slave. But Aglaea felt free enough to speak less cautiously to Livia, without going too far. She tried not to give unsolicited advice. Aglaea paused when Livia did to pick the flowers, and she gave a barely-suppressed chuckle when Livia spoke. "You're right, I insulted the bull!" she whispered with a chuckle. She accepted the poppy and carried it in her free hand as they strolled along. 

The conversation continued, with Livia describing why it might be preferable to have a man drunk. She nodded thoughtfully, eyeing the poppy in her hand. "Well, if you really wanted to put him to sleep, poppies can make a sleeping draught. We could slip it into his drink if it becomes clear he is in a mood." Livia conceded that Aglaea was right about it, though. "No, he's never been very sensible." 

Like Livia, Aglaea was refreshed by just the sound of the water. As Livia signaled her to put the bags down, she was already laying out a blanket for the pair to eat on. Finishing that task, she straightened up and smiled. "I'm a little heated from the walk. Perhaps we should swim to cool off first."

@Liv

Caecina grinned. "The gladiators are so fierce, it is almost frightening. I'm thankful they're in the arena and I'm just watching!" she joked. Caecina looked in the direction Septima was pointing. "Perfect, that's where we will go!" She started in that direction, her stomach rumbling slightly. She hadn't realized how hungry she was until they had started talking about food. While they walked, Caecina considered what to talk about. "Have you been to many fights? I haven't been in a while, but there is always interesting to watch."

@Atrice

Aglaea turned her face to the sky, letting the warm sun soak into her skin. It amazed her how the natural wonders of the earth could so easily cleanse the soul, particularly after such a difficult night. Aglaea raised a hand in greeting to the toiling slaves and offered a smile. It was a beautiful day, and shaping up to be warm enough to entice even Aglaea to take a dip. 

Livia started talking about her husband and Aglaea gave a small smile. She wasn't inclined to speak ill of Secundus while in the house, but the outdoors gave her a sense of safety. Walls had ears, and there were none out here. "I couldn't sleep either. He's like a bull when he gets going," she said softly, giving a little chuckle. She shifted her bags to the other hand and listened while Livia continued talking. "Why would you want to make him a drunkard?" she laughed. "I fear that would just make it worse. I've found that a drunk man tends to have less sense than a baby, and about as much ability to speak as one."

@Liv

Edited to include Aglaea

Aglaea had been up since dawn, being a naturally early riser. Plus, she hadn't been able to get much sleep with Secundus having been on one of his loud and disruptive tirades until early morning, so she had only slept a couple hours, and fitfully at that. After rising, she said a quick prayer of thanksgiving, then prepared for the day, donning a clean linen tunic and brushing her hair. Her toilette completed, the slave went to ensure her lady's clothes were prepared for the day. Soon after, Livia was awake and they met in the hallway. Out of habit, Aglaea dipped her head respectfully. "Good morning, domina," she said with a smile. She received her orders and nodded. "At once."

Entering the kitchen, Aglaea asked one of the younger slaves to pack a lunch for her and the domina. The Judean slave enjoyed a certain privilege of rank over these more common slaves, being a personal slave to Livia, and the other slaves usually followed her orders since they came from the horse's mouth, so to speak. But Aglaea also used her privilege to make sure the other slaves were as well taken care of as they could be in Secundus's domus. While the lunch was being packed, she packed a bag with extra clothes. 

Soon, she returned to Livia and smiled at her. "Ready when you are, domina."

@Liv

Septima explained her plan for the day and a bright smile lit up Caecina's face. "What a pleasant coincidence, I was just thinking about going to see a fight." The girl had been to several fights recently and couldn't get enough of them. Like Septima, she enjoyed a taste of the male physique that could only be witnessed at a fight and maintain one's reputation as pious and modest! For a time now, Caecina had fostered an appreciation of male bodies, particularly in the hope that she would marry a handsome young man herself. 

"That settles it, then," she said grandly. "We shall go and see the gladiators. Do you know anywhere good to eat around here? I confess, I mostly eat at home." It was shaping up to be a thoroughly pleasant day. Enjoying the opposite gender with a friend to whisper with was exactly the kind of thing Caecina enjoyed. 

@Atrice

Caecina hadn't really been seriously shopping. It would be nice to get some new fabric, but really, she was in no big hurry to get one. Shopping was just something that she enjoyed doing, looking at all the things she would like to buy if she were allowed to. The girl waved her hand flippantly. "Not at all, I'm really just window shopping," she laughed. Septima might rank below her but it was never a bad thing to have friends. Plus, Septima might know other people that Caecina would want to meet. She was learning that all types of people had their uses, even if it was just a friendly person to talk to. 

Caecina turned her attention back to the other girl. "What were you planning to do today?" Caecina wouldn't mind paying for Septima to join her at the gladiatorial games, or for their lunches. 

Thankfully, Caecina had been shielded from the crime in the city, but the stories she had heard were not pleasant. Thieves were running rampant, from what she had heard. But Caecina never went anywhere without at least Astraea, and never to the marketplace without a guard. The young woman gazed in the direction the thief had went, sighing in commiseration. "I am very sorry that happened to you," she said earnestly. Septima had been wanting to have a pleasant day and her loss struck a chord with Caecina. 

"I was actually shopping for some fabric for a new chiton. But now I've met you, I simply cannot leave you alone. Why don't you accompany me?" 

@Atrice

Caecina remembered Septima from the same social gatherings, though they weren't the same rank and Caecina rarely had time for people below her unless they were entertaining. She remembered Septima as a genuine and kind person, so Caecina had warm feelings for her, though they weren't close. And even though she wasn't prone to compassion or pity, she covered her mouth in surprise when she hear her acquaintance's plight. "That's terrible! I declare, the crime in this city is out of control." She looked around for someone who looked like they were with Septima, but it seemed she was alone. "No, that has never happened to me. Did you see where the thief went?" Caecina couldn't help but think being out alone was a recipe for disaster, though she did envy Septima a bit. Astraea was like a clinging burr on Caecina, almost never leaving her alone. But she would probably get into a lot more trouble without the wise old Greek woman. 

@Atrice

April, 75CE

It was a fine day at the gladiatorial games, which meant everyone and their brother was in attendance. Aglaea was lucky that her mistress was in a higher social class, which meant their seating was much better, but the crowd was still crushing. Aglaea was never much of one for crowds in the first place, but her mistress was kind enough to give her a little bit of freedom to explore once she had taken care of all her needs for the moment. Given perhaps an hour to her own devices, the slave first purchased a small bag of nuts and a cool but cheap cup of wine. Then, she pushed through the crowd and came across a small alcove near the seating for lower classes. Sitting down on the base of a column, she let herself breathe. She was removed from the crowds here and blissfully in the shade. For the moment she was alone and thankful for her freedom, even if it was just a little and for a short time. 

Caecina Tusca glanced up into the blue sky, shielding her eyes with one carefully manicured hand. It was a beautiful day for a gladitorial match, which was exactly where she was heading, accompanied by her trusty slave Astraea as well as two bodyguards. The hustle and bustle of this area was not the girl's favorite, especially because she was in close proximity to the lower classes, but the matches more than made up for the filth in the streets. Carefully holding her dark blue palla out of the mire, Caecina strolled along, glancing at the bolts of colorful fabric. Perhaps there was time to do a little shopping before heading to the gladiators. 

But just then, she heard a cry of surprise. Glancing around, she saw an acquaintance, Septima Major. Putting on a charming smile, she headed toward her, but her smile dropped when she realized that Septima was the one who had cried out. "Oh, dear, what happened?" 

Aglaea glanced around the domus, taken aback at how two brothers could maintain their households in such different ways. Secundus's home was barely a home for anyone there, least of all Livia and Aglaea. The abuse that her mistress took at the hands of her husband was almost at the level of the cruelty slaves faced in his household, though Aglaea was somewhat shielded from it by being Livia's slave alone. Her mistress had an ulterior motive for visiting Tertius, certainly, but Aglaea could not put it into words even if she wanted to. Livia glanced back at Aglaea, who was standing a few feet back with her head respectfully bowed. Their eyes met and the slave dipped her head encouragingly. Whatever her mistress's motive for visiting, she knew she would understand it soon and in the meantime, she would stand behind her (both literally and figuratively). 

AGLAEA.

28 | spring 47 CE | Slave | Body Slave / Companion | Heterosexual | Wanted | Nazanin Boniadi

Personality.

Having been raised first in a Jewish family, Aglaea has cultivated a personality of kindness. Further, because of the memories of her poverty, she tends to take pity on those less fortunate than herself and tries to help those she can. From a young age, she distinguished herself as a quick wit, and her education from a young age has allowed her to read, write, and speak several languages, including her native Aramaic as well as Latin and Greek. Since she has lived in slavery most of her life, she has learned to be loyal to her mistress, though she has a deep yearning for her own freedom. Aglaea is also a recent convert to Christianity, so she is learning to live her life in a Christlike manner. This includes patience, humility, and kindness. 

Aglaea isn't without her flaws, though. Because she has been blessed with kind mistresses, she has never been abused and so she tends to test her limits, but usually only with what she says. If her mistress asks her opinion, she gives it honestly, but sometimes at the expense of crossing class boundaries. She also has a tendency to stubbornness when she believes she is right. But overall she's a pious, modest, and loyal woman. 

Appearance

Aglaea is a beautiful woman, clearly native of an eastern part of the Roman empire. She has smooth, slightly tanned skin, dark brown eyes, and wavy black hair. She is a small woman in stature, as well as petite. Her status as a body slave to a moderately wealthy woman allows her to wear nicer clothes than your average slave, but of course, she is constrained by her status. It wouldn't matter anyway, though; were she a freedwoman, she would dress modestly due to her faith as a Christian. 

Family

Father: Chileab

Mother: Hanna

Siblings: Isaiah, Jerusha, and Leah

Spouse: N/A

Children: N/A/

Other: Livia Justina (Mistress) 

Secundus Quinctilius Varus (Master) 

History

Aglaea was not always named after one of the Three Graces. Born into a poverty-stricken Jewish family in Judaea, she was given the name Zivah, meaning "brilliance" or "light of God." While, of course, she can't remember the first few years of her life, they were very difficult. Her family could not raise themselves out of poverty despite their best efforts, and their situation became worse with every passing year. Some of Zivah's earliest memories were of scrounging for food with her mother and siblings. She was blessed to be a beautiful child, though, and though her parents wanted her to stay with the family, it became clear that the family could not support as many children as they had. Zivah and her older sister, the two youngest daughters in the family, were sold into slavery to lessen the burden on the family. Zivah was seven years old when she entered the household of a wealthy Roman passing through Judaea. The Roman's wife desperately wanted a child but could not have one, so the Roman bought Zivah for a companion for the woman. She was blessed with a kind mistress and lived with her for several years in their home in Antioch, gaining a valuable education. Zivah already spoke Aramaic, but she was taught to speak Latin as well as Greek so that she could communicate with many people, and she distinguished herself as a quick learner and a bright mind. She was also taught how to apply makeup to her mistress, giving her a valuable skill. 

When Zivah turned thirteen years old, her master passed away suddenly, and her mistress had to move away, downsizing her staff. Therefore, Zivah had to be sold, though her mistress left her mournfully. Within a few weeks at the slave market in Antioch, Zivah was purchased by Marcus Horatius Justinus and her Hebrew name was changed to Aglaea, removing the last vestige of her old life. Aglaea was close in age to her new mistress, Livia Justina, and quickly became good friends with her. Aglaea helped her new mistress with many things, including makeup and clothes, as well as serving as a confidant. The pair grew into womanhood together, Livia becoming married to her first husband with Aglaea right by her side, faithful and loyal. Despite her loyalty, though, Aglaea had a persistent wish to return to Judaea to find her family. She missed the freedom of her childhood; was wealthy slavery better than poor freedom? 

Aglaea was also by her mistress's side as her children passed away and her husband died suddenly, by her side as she fell into a deep depression. Aglaea felt powerless to help her mistress. Her old techniques didn't seem to work all of a sudden. She hated that she was unable to help her friend through this difficult time. It didn't even seem to help when she was remarried to Secundus. It soon became clear that Secundus was cruel, prone to meanness and abusing Livia. A few times, Aglaea tried to get in between her mistress and her husband, but it only seemed to make his meanness worse. 

Livia and Aglaea's situation was growing steadily worse, and Aglaea looked for comfort in her Hebrew religion, attending temple whenever she could slip away to do so. But she soon met a man who was teaching a new religion based on the story of a man from Judea: Christ. Aglaea found comfort in the teachings of that man and soon converted to Christianity, despite the danger of doing so. Her newfound faith gave her the strength to carry on, and she tried to practice Christlike love and patience. Now, she is living her life with a measure of peace found in her faith. She still struggles between her loyalty to her mistress and her yearning for freedom, two wishes that seem to be incompatible but she feels all the same. 

Echo | EST | Discord or PM

Caecina listened, interested slightly in this strange woman who would be teaching. How had she become an interprex, and how had her father noticed her enough to entrust the education of her children with her? She would have to get to know her enough to question her about it. She wondered, too, if she would also get a chance to learn some of the barbarian languages, or at least hear her brother's lessons in addition to her Greek lessons. "Well, I'm sure that will be an interesting lesson. Greek is a lovely language." 

Caecina shifted in her seat. "So, how are my siblings? I have not seen them while I have been here." 

@Gothic

Gaius hated the idea of treating this girl unkindly; something about her begged kindness. He briefly wondered her past but then realized he probably wouldn't know and it would eat him up to imagine too long. The act of kindness he had performed wasn't only for her, of course. It had given him an opportunity to run a little and stretch the muscles that so often idled while he stood in one place for hours, guarding the palace. The slave introduced herself and he gave a brief smile. "Nice to meet you, Justinia. You may call me Gaius." He didn't know why he was offering his name but here he was. She then asked for his recommendation on wine and he looked around at the stalls, approaching a stand he had frequented, gesturing her to follow. "What's the occasion? Just stocking up? I'm a fan of this mulsum, the Spanish stuff is good too." 

@Sydney

Caecina gave a small smile as he asserted that lessons could be interesting. She supposed they would be if she were allowed to learn the same things he was. Politics was a world not allowed to her but she learned what she could from talking to men and acting like a foolish girl who didn't know anything, even though she had found she had a mind for the practice. Tiberius spoke of his hope of seeing the empire while deploying with the military and she smiled. "I hope you are able to! I have heard that there are beautiful sights to see around the empire, though I haven't had the honor of seeing much more than Rome and various cities around Italia. You'll have to keep me posted while you travel," she smiled a little flirtatiously. 

The subject of the party continued and Tiberius said he would keep her to her promise. "I assure you, you shall receive an invitation, you and your sister and brother. We will have a grand time." She adjusted herself into a more comfortable sitting position, stifling a grin at his embarrassed flush at her question. "Ah, popularity isn't everything." Titus was always a popular one but Caecina was more at ease talking to Tiberius. The young man turned her question back on her and she laughed. "Juliana and my father don't tend to give me all the information about who has asked for my hand, so I haven't the slightest idea. They will certainly choose well for me, just as Caesar will for you." 

@Sarah

Gaius fully expected to be sore in the morning; Tertius had held his own in their fight and Gaius had had to fight hard to win the bouts he did. He remembered his father sparring with some of the other men at the bathhouse when he was younger, maintaining his physical wellbeing. He briefly wondered if the man still did, though he doubted it; he was getting older, though he was still in relatively good health. 

Tertius complimented him again and he smiled. "I appreciate it. I was a centurion for a few months before I returned to Rome." He took another sip of water and dropped the dipper back in the water, cupping his hand and wiping the moisture on the back of his neck for a cooling effect. "Britannia? Oh, not terrible, but I got in a few good scrapes. Nearly died a couple times, but they couldn't keep me down. We mostly just kept the peace, quelled uprisings."

@Atrice

Caecina noticed the look but didn't comment on it. Caecina would respect her father to his face but she rarely saw him, what with him being away so often. But Caecina was interested to see what Juliana was talking about. And soon she revealed that her father had sent a woman dressed as a man to tutor her and her little half brother. She raised an eyebrow and sipped her wine again. "Will she be tutoring us in languages?" 

The teenager was not delighted to have a tutor. The only lessons she enjoyed were the ones where she learned to play musical instruments or weave; languages held no interest for her. It wasn't like she was ever going to have to talk to barbarians who didn't speak Latin. It seemed to the teenager to be time wasted that could be put better to other things. 

@Gothic