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Echo

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  1. Echo
    Leaving the home of Secundus Quinctilius Varus was like breathing for the first time. Each time she left the domus, Aglaea felt a weight lift from her chest, ever so slightly, so that she could breathe freely again. But of course, the weight threatened constantly to return whenever she thought of the months she would be spending in the villa, sequestered, only for it to end in her acting as though her child had come and passed away, and the child that had suddenly appeared in the house was Livia's. Since she had met Wulfric, that kind and handsome stranger who was somehow connected to her master's family, a small light had appeared in Aglaea's heart, like a weak ember struggling to survive. The hope that he could help alleviate some of her suffering by visiting her master, and, by extension, her, was one of a precious few things keeping her going. And while she didn't fan the small ember of hope into a flame, it helped her through the particularly dark moments. Today, her heart was light as she exited the house under the pretense of running errands for her mistress. Livia, to her credit, had given her some much-needed space in the hours and days after the day Aglaea had spilled her secrets, and Aglaea was thankful for her. Aglaea did not appear pregnant yet, but the other symptoms of an early pregnancy were there - she had been sick every morning since the morning she'd found out, particularly, and she felt that she grew tired more easily. She smiled softly to herself as she made her way into the garden for that reason, ready to sit and talk with her new friend for a while. Soon enough, she came to the fountain she had instructed him to meet her at and saw that he had beaten her there. "Wulfric," she said warmly, approaching him with a soft smile. "Thank you for coming. It is wonderful to see you again." @Atrice
  2. Echo
    Aglaea quirked a grin at Charis's description of the Varus family, her mind wandering to Secundus's various... difficulties. Walking around in a haze, muttering, quick to anger and his plot with his wife's body slave... yes, difficult was a good description, though it fell perhaps a bit short. But Aglaea and Charis did not know each other well enough to say what they really thought just yet. That would take some time, but if Aglaea was honest, she could use someone other than Livia to commiserate with, and she guessed Charis could use the same. "Yes, that's a nice way to put it," she chuckled. Charis admitted that a friend and honey cakes would be welcome, but that Aglaea would have to ask her master's permission to visit. The Judean frowned a little at that - couldn't she just use the back door? She doubted Tertius would notice the comings and goings of slaves in his house much, but then, she hardly knew the man. But if that was what it would take - "Very well, I will," she said briskly. But Charis's next words caused the words to turn bitter in her throat. The child was his? She gazed at Charis, taken aback, her expression first surprised and then concerned, motherly. In her experience, children born to slaves by their masters were rarely children that both, or either, parties wanted. Surprisingly, Aglaea felt a tightness in her throat. Could Charis understand what she, Aglaea, was going through? It couldn't be... "He... he didn't hurt you, did he?" she asked, her voice solemn and low. The thought of asking a man like Tertius, who'd impregnated his slave in what she suspected was not a mutually consensual arrangement, brought bile up in her throat. But if it was what Charis needed, she could get by. @Sara
  3. Echo
    Hi, y'all! So, I'm sure you've noticed, but I haven't been very active the past few days/weeks. My school has a compressed calendar this year, which means our semester ends before Thanksgiving, when it would normally end sometime in mid-December. Because of this, I have less time than usual to finish my work for the semester and as such, everything is piling up monstrously -.- I have three senior projects going on at the same time, so RP has been on the back burner for me. Plus with the election, my mind has been elsewhere. I probably won't have time to write any replies until after the semester ends, but the good news is, after that, I will have a good amount of time for RP! So, a couple of weeks of slowness. Sorry about that. Can't wait to get back to it!
  4. Echo

    The gif game

    Echo replied to Gothic's topic in Forum games

  5. Echo

    Live Your Life

    Echo replied to Echo's topic in Poppina Via Lata

    Gaius was an honest man, through and through. He knew of the reputation of the Praetorians from the past - their sneaking and conniving, their plots to grab power. Gaius didn't stand for any of that nonsense. His unit, at least, had been keeping busy enough with training, and he suspected that the higher-ups in his unit believed the same things he did, believed in maintaining the station of praetorian as an honest calling to protect the emperor and the empire. Secundus's question was relevant, of course. The praetorians had had a time of it in years past, before Quintus had come into power. But now, with peace a reality and not a dream, some more restless men than Gaius found themselves getting itchy for a fight. "Well," he said slowly, "I've been keeping my men busy. We may not be needed now, but my men will not be getting fat and lazy just because of that. We might be needed soon, and then where would we be? Unable to help." He shook his head. "No, some units may be letting themselves get soft, but not mine." @Járnviðr
  6. Echo

    Sibling Solitude

    Echo replied to Sara's topic in Back in Time

    Publius chuckled as his youngest sister asked whether he'd prayed to Apollo. He was a Roman senator, and therefore had to maintain appearances as far as religion went. But, truth be told, he wasn't particularly interested in praying or going to temple. He had never found that the gods took much interest in him, so he paid them the same courtesy of leaving them alone, other than required visits for festivals and the like. He couldn't risk being accused of being too far from the cult. "No, you know me, Livia. Far too much in the way of visible entertainment to much bother visiting the Greek temples," he said, laughing again. "But, if it'll make you feel better, next time I'm up that way, I'll pay a visit and write you all the details. Or, you could come and visit and I'll take you there personally." A little nudge, a hint that he wanted to see her more. They'd grown so distant. Horatia explained that Lucius had been by to visit her and her husband on his way to the front before they were settled in the triclinium, and then afterwards that the provincials where she lived were more refined than Gauls or Brits. "Well, if the Gauls or Britons are our touch-point for refinement, I must say, society has taken a turn for the worst while I've been gone," he joked. "And Livia, you and Secundus stay mostly at the villa, don't you? Remind me where that is again? Now that I'm back in Rome, I'll have to come and visit you." @Liv @Sara
  7. Echo
    It was nice to have something to take her mind off of the things troubling her, Deia had to admit. And it was so rare that she did anything with a handsome young man like Iophon other than sleep with him. She hoped the same thing he did, but it wasn't a particularly busy night and the others were getting all the attention since, to the onlooker, Deia looked tied up with Iophon. She chuckled a little as Iophon feigned shock. He was a charming young man - she hoped he would come to visit more. His story continued, and she watched him, enraptured. She smiled again as he mentioned Aesop. A well known name, even to the uneducated sex worker who couldn't even read or write. He asked whether she'd heard of the poet Sappho, and she shook her head. She'd heard of Aesop, but she hadn't really had a chance to read much poetry. "No, I haven't. Perhaps next time, you can recite some of her poetry?" Deia grinned. "Well, what did Sappho do about her brother spending all his money on Rhodopis?" @Chevi
  8. Echo
    Deianira smiled delicately as he explained it was something he didn't want to talk about out here, in the sitting room. There was something odd to this situation - not threatening, no, but something funny in a way she couldn't quite explain. She watched him as he downed some more of the wine and asked where they could go to be private. "Oh, certainly, Lucius. There is a room just down the hall." He at least said he would pay, which was her main concern, after all. If she didn't make Titus some money, why was she here? She certainly wasn't worth anything unless she could make him money. She stood and beckoned to the man, leading him down the hallway to the room she had mentioned. The sounds of men and workers in each of the rooms haunted her ears as she did, but they lessened a little more as she entered the room and closed the door behind him. "Would you like to sit?" There was a chair in one corner of the room, and a bed, of course. She waited to see where he wanted to sit, and sat on the other herself. "Now, what can I do for you, Lucius?" @Atrice
  9. Echo
    The more Aglaea reflected on it, the more she realized that her circumstances and Charis's couldn't really be compared. In many ways, Aglaea had had one of the easiest lives that a slave could have; she'd been enslaved when she was young, so she didn't have much of a chance to get used to life as a free person, and had a multitude of years to grow into slavery, forgetting her life before. Charis had only been here a few years as far as Aglaea could tell, so she must have either been in another household or was fresh from Britannia. She stared down at her hands and frowned, feeling saddened. The poor girl. Aglaea had to find a way to help her. There had to be a way. Charis explained that she was not treated like a sister or a daughter, and that her household was difficult and complex. She seemed so anxious, so concerned with how her words would be perceived. She must not feel able to trust anyone, and that hurt Aglaea more than anything she'd said so far. Aglaea fixed her with a stare, trying to communicate through her eyes that she could be trusted. "You don't have to guard your words with me, Charis," she said lowly, gently. "I am a friend. But I understand. The Varus family is-" she hesitated, unsure of how to put it. In the end, she dropped the thought. Charis then said that she wasn't allowed to leave, and looked so forlorn, the dear! Aglaea had to do something to help her feel better. "Well, then, I'll just have to come here to visit you, won't I?" She offered a smile, trying to lift the other woman's spirits. She guessed the other woman couldn't write or read, so sending a letter wouldn't help much, probably. But Aglaea could make time for her. "I don't often get time to myself," she went on, "but when I do, I will come and visit you. Sometimes... sometimes you just need someone to talk to." She didn't want her words to be perceived as charity, though - that usually didn't go over well, and it wasn't really charity to begin with. "Sometimes I need a friend, too. And someone to share a honey cake with." @Sara
  10. Echo
    Caecina returned his smile with a softer one of her own as she laid her hand briefly on his arm. But as he stared deeply into her eyes, she felt a curious, exciting flutter in her stomach which she hadn't felt since she was just starting her coquetting around Rome. She pulled her hand away a bit suddenly at the feeling, but quickly regained composure, letting silence fall around them. Again, she kicked herself for not noticing how handsome he was before now; but he presented an interesting challenge and she thought she might be up to taking him on, seeing if she could produce some interest in him. As she proclaimed that she was ready to be quizzed, he chuckled and called her confident. "Well, if nothing else, I am confident," she said with a laugh. And it was true - there were certainly other young women who could be considered more attractive, more pious, more modest than she was. But those girls were all silly foolish things with no notions of their own and no gumption - that was where Caecina reigned supreme. Lucius went on to say that he wouldn't be lenient with his soldiers, but he might be with her. "I should hope that I couldn't be mistaken for a soldier!" She did strike quite the feminine figure on purpose, but she was mostly joking. But his mention of the military had caught her interest and curiosity made her forget about their feigned quiz. "You'll have to forgive my ignorance, but what is it like being an officer in the military? Men rarely talk about such matters with me, but I must confess, they are quite fascinating to me." She hoped he wouldn't take her interest as unfeminine, but rather as a silly and feminine curiosity in the affairs of men. @Chris
  11. Echo
    Aglaea wasn't sure why she felt like she could trust him, but something in her heart told her that he was trustworthy, despite being produced by the Varus family. She had to believe that the circumstances of one's birth could not be the only determining factor in their lives. After all, Christ was born in a humble barn, laid to rest in swaddling clothes in a manger. Wulfric was related to the Varus family somehow, but he had not been raised by it. He was something else entirely. And Aglaea could sense a great alliance, even a friendship, forming, so quickly and suddenly it threatened to take her breath away. Wulfric confirmed that they could meet again soon and she nodded as he asked whether she knew a good place. "Yes, the Gardens of Sullust. They are discrete, plenty of places tucked away where we could talk. I am not sure when I can get away again, but I will send word to you when I can. Where are you staying?" His next words produced a smile. How charming he was. "You didn't make me cry," she assured him, knowing that wasn't the point. "Thank you, Wulfric. I am in your debt already." Once they had worked out all the details, she stood and took his hand in hers. "You are a good man. I will send word soon. Thank you." And with that, she was off, tentative hope blossoming in her chest. @Atrice End?
  12. Echo
    Aglaea turned to watch as Livia made her exit, feeling a fresh pang of guilt upon her words. All that she had said was what was she, Aglaea, was thinking. Secundus had truly lost touch with reality if he thought children could be used like pawns - her own child to be seemingly lost like an unimportant trinket, while he really went into the arms of Livia and Secundus. Aglaea was to be relegated to the role of a wet nurse - such an impartial, impersonal role in the child's life. All at once, her plan fell down around her ears and despair set in. There was no way she could pull it off alone and she had no real allies in this world. Acquaintances, casual friends - but no one who would risk themselves to help her and her child. And there was no way Secundus would let his child out of his sight once it was there, and little chance of him letting Aglaea herself have any sort of loose leash during the months leading up to the birth. She could only hope that once the child was weaned, she could convince Livia to sell her or free her. She couldn't bear watching her child grow up without it ever knowing who she really was. But though despair had settled deep in her chest, she felt that surprising calm that came with a situation being outside of your control. There was nothing she could do. Why should she waste tears? She gazed blankly at Secundus once Livia had left, appreciating the other woman's intent in letting her choose whether to follow. Aglaea thought she might find her way into the garden for the rest of the day, perhaps leave the domus altogether. "May I be excused?" There was nothing in her voice. No coldness now, no sadness. Nothing. Because there was nothing she could do, there was nothing to color her voice. And she had no voice anyway - not really. @Járnviðr @Liv That's me done! Thanks for the amazing thread <3
  13. Echo
    Aglaea smiled brightly at him as he greeted her in her native language. When was the last time she'd conversed with someone who spoke her language, outside of her synagogue? It must have been months, years even, as she deferred to Latin in most situations. But she was getting ahead of herself - he had only greeted her, and had admitted to being from Alexandria, which was not a place populated entirely by her people. "Shalom aleichem," she responded, thrilled slightly with the words. Language had always been a passion of hers, since her first mistress educated her well, but she always felt excited speaking her mother tongue. Davus spoke about Corinth being a busy city with its port and she nodded. She remembered her journey from Antioch to Rome, remembered the ports with a slight shiver - she preferred her feet on solid earth. "I imagine it must have been exciting. I haven't traveled much since I was a young girl." As they reached the shop she'd been heading for and she invited him for a cake, he responded by accepting, except he wanted to pay for his own. She waved her hand casually and chuckled. "Nonsense. I invited you - why would I expect you to pay?" It wasn't like she needed to save it for anything else, anyway. Livia would never let her buy her freedom. Without letting him speak another word of protest, she proceeded into the shop and purchased two of the dense cakes, then led the way back outside. "Here, I can sit and chat for a little while." She handed him his cake. "So, you have been with your master for a while now?" @Sharpie
  14. Echo
    A wave of relief washed over her as he confirmed that he would be a friend to her. She hadn't realized it but she had been sorely needing one - even if he wasn't the kind of friend who could help her, he could at least keep her company and perhaps let her vent every once in a while. Perhaps Secundus would even let him come to the villa, which would make it easier. But for now, he was company and she was thankful for him. As he confirmed that he would meet her master, she nodded, the analytical part of her mind now working hard. He would need to seem respectable, and understand how Secundus operated in order to pull this off. She had another few weeks, perhaps, before he whisked them all away to the villa. She could teach him what she knew and then have him present himself. She hoped desperately that everything would work. "You are a good man, Wulfric," she repeated quietly, wiping her eyes and smiling. She was calmer now, but the simple gesture of him asking if he could do anything for her made her laugh a little. No one had asked her a thing like that in such a long time. As a slave, it was her job to ask such questions, and other slaves simply kept to themselves, not worrying about others. "That is sweet," she said, smoothing her skirts. "I'm better now, but thank you." She wiped her eyes once more. "I want you to be prepared before you meet Secundus, though. Do you think we could meet again, sometime soon?" @Atrice
  15. Echo
    Aglaea realized that she had accidentally made it sound like she wanted to get rid of the child before it was born. That was not her intention at all - she loved the little life growing within her already, with all her heart, and that made it all the more poignant that its father was Secundus. If she let him have it, or let Livia have it, it would grow up living a lie, not to mention what effects growing up in such a household would have on the child. "I don't want to- to harm it," she said, the tears becoming more prominent now. "I want him to have a good life, safe, far away from here. A life that- that I couldn't have." And then when Wulfric promised to find a solution for her, the tears flowed over in earnest. How could she have been so lucky, to find a good man like him? God must have sent him her way, knowing she needed a friend. She grasped his hand in hers and with her free hand, wiped her eyes. "You are too good, Wulfric. I don't want to burden you." She fell silent as she fought to gain control of her tears again. "I think... I think I just need a friend for now. Perhaps if you introduce yourself to my master, you can come and visit the villa... but I don't want to burden you, of course. You wanted to find your father - you should go to him first, before you worry about me. I will survive." @Atrice
  16. Echo
    Perhaps it was because Wulfric was a stranger that Aglaea found it easier to talk to him about this situation. She had been closed off about it with the other slaves in the household, knowing they had their own problems to sort through and didn't need hers. But Wulfric could do nothing about this situation, and therefore she didn't feel like she was burdening him overmuch. If anything, she hoped that this information was the reason he returned to Germania to forget about his father and his family, though that didn't seem likely. Wulfric understood without her saying outright that Secundus had fathered her baby and she nodded, the words tumbling out easier now that she'd gotten started. "Yes, and he has it all planned out... he's moving the whole household to the villa in the countryside for the duration of my pregnancy, pretending Livia is pregnant too. He wants me to pretend that I miscarried my child when the time comes, and that it's really Livia's, and..." She stopped, wiping her eyes and sighing. "We're going to be stuck there for nine months, or at least from the time I start showing. I can't stand being under that man's roof that long..." She gazed at him as he said he wanted to help her, the ghost of a smile appearing, though it had little warmth. "You are too kind, Wulfric, but I am afraid that there is nothing you can do for me. Secundus has everything figured out." Unless... she stared at him again, trying to guess what his reaction would be to her next statement. "I can't- he can't have this child. I can't let him. He would ruin the child. Everything that enters his household is ruined." @Atrice
  17. Echo
    Deia listened to his requests, curious about what exactly this man wanted. He didn't want to be called dominus - he must be a freedman, then, or a lower citizen, to not want to be called that. Deia had been taught years ago that it was proper to call every man dominus, no matter what social class he was in, but some men preferred to be called by their names - like Lucius here, it seemed. "Very well, Lucius," she said with a grin. He went on to explain that he wasn't looking for what she thought he was, that he was looking for someone to talk to. Ah, so he was one of those. Men occasionally came here who were lonely, probably unmarried, without anyone to keep them company. She could handle that - in fact, it was a bit of a relief that she wouldn't have to perform much. "I can talk to you," she said, sipping her wine. "My name is Deianira, Lucius. What would you like to talk about?" @Atrice
  18. Echo
    Aglaea was comforted by his presence, somehow. How could that be, though? He was an almost perfect stranger, and, apparently, related to her master's brother. How could she be comforted by a member of that family? And yet, she was. He had a different energy about him, calming and assured. She smiled briefly at him when he touched her arm and then launched into her story. His question was right on the money. He had struck into the heart of the issue: Secundus. "Secundus is not kind to anyone," she said flatly, her mouth twisted into a bitter, wry smile. "But, no, he wasn't kind to her. She was deep in grief and he wasn't patient with her. You see, my master is childless. And he wants nothing more than a child to carry on his name." Unconsciously, again, she touched her belly as though to protect the child within. "I do love my mistress. She is like a sister, and her life is not good, you're right." "I... I don't know if he wanted to hurt her through me, get back at her for not performing her duties as a wife, or if it really was as simple as him wanting a child, but..." She grit her teeth and stared up at the sky, steadying herself. "A few days after their marriage, he became frustrated with her and came to me. He wanted me to... to take her place." She wondered if that was too vague, but she found herself momentarily unable to talk around the lump growing in her throat. @Atrice
  19. Echo
    The poor boy, she thought. So sweet and kind, so hungry for knowledge of his family... how lucky he had thought it was that she had found him, but she knew how truly unlucky it was for both of them. She should have made sure it was Tertius before coming over to speak to him, but instead, she had barreled into the situation without thought of the consequences. And now she was in the awkward position of having to tell an almost perfect stranger what his uncle had done to her, to somehow convince him to stay away from them. She couldn't bear to see another person corrupted by the Varus family. She was silent for some time, staring at the cobbles before her, mulling the situation in her mind. If her situation could convince him to stay away, she felt that she had a moral obligation to tell him what had happened. At length, she decided to do it, the hand he placed on her arm giving her a modicum of strength to press forward. "Alright. I will tell you... but please, if you meet my master, you must not let on that you know." She paused once more, deciding where to start. "Before I tell you what happened, you must know some things about my mistress. I have been by her side for fourteen years - she is like my sister. She was married before, to a man she loved dearly. And she became pregnant. But her husband died at war and she miscarried the child." Aglaea's eyes watered slightly, remembering those terrible days. Things had just gotten worse since, hadn't they? "Her father wanted her to marry again, so he arranged her marriage with Secundus not long after Gnaeus, her first husband, died. While my mistress was still heartbroken." She paused here to see if he had any questions or thoughts. @Atrice
  20. Echo
    Deia found it easy to become enthralled with the man's words already. She had really only seen Greece and the road between it and Rome, and though she had no hopes of leaving Rome any time soon, she dreamed sometimes of exploring the world on her own. Egypt had been one of the places on that list of places she wanted to see, so his story was fascinating already. Iophon finished the first few lines of his story with a compliment to Deia and she grinned a little. "Be careful flattering me, Titus might think you are here for other reasons," she said. "What happened to Rhodopis?" @Chevi
  21. Echo
    Aglaea gave him a miserable glance as he said that he would visit since they were family. If only she could make him leave Rome, go home to Germania, never look back. If he was determined to stay on this path, Aglaea was terrified that the Varus family would chew him up and spit him back out. He was so innocent and kind and unmarred by the world those men lived in. If only she could stop him from taking another step down this path. But he seemed to give her an opportunity to do just that, asking what made her think that they were not to be trusted. But what an intimate secret to let out - one she had only let out to her mistress a short time ago, and one she would be mortified to let Wulfric know. Was it the right thing to do, though? Let him know how Secundus had torn hers and Livia's lives apart with his actions? She sighed, frustrated and still miserable as the conversation went on. Why did he want her to tell him things that would only hurt both of them? "I- I'm not sure that I can tell you, Wulfric. My master..." She felt a jolt of fear surge through her stomach. If Secundus were to find out... But then, perhaps Wulfric could be the one to help her if she went through with her plan... "Wulfric, you seem like a kind and good man. I want to tell you everything, but I could get into trouble. Bad trouble." @Atrice
  22. Echo
    Aglaea was pleased to see that her compliment made Charis happy. Aglaea had tried to cultivate a personality of kindness and generosity, even in such a brutal time and place as she lived in. She loved seeing the looks on the faces of the people that she complimented. And Charis had such a pleasant personality as well - she would have to come and visit her more often. And she certainly wanted to see her baby when it was born - if Charis would let her, of course. Charis called her kind and Aglaea gave a humble smile. "I do try. Thank you." The other woman then explained that she had been told being kind would get her into trouble with people taking advantage of it. Aglaea's expression was knowing. "It can. But my personal philosophy is that you should be kind anyway - up until a point, anyway. You shouldn't let people take advantage of you." Charis then asked her how long it had taken her to feel normal in her mistress's house. It was an odd question; she had been with her so long, that it felt unnatural to be away from her. She said as much, then paused. "I have been with her for fourteen years, of course. But, if I am honest, as long as I've been with Livia, sometimes it still doesn't feel normal. Things change, happen... but I suppose it depends on your master. I was treated like a daughter in my first home, and like a sister in my second. I suppose... a year or two, to learn the family and its habits." She gazed at the other woman gratefully as she squeezed her hand back. "You are from Britannia, right? I had a bit of a leg up, understanding Latin culture, as my town was occupied by the Romans. I am sure that you will feel at home in no time. And in the meantime, as I said, I am available to you." @Sara
  23. Echo
    Aglaea had been listening to the whole conversation in a daze of hurt and fear. Aglaea needed time away from the household sometimes, at least once a month. How could she be expected to stay inside, cooped up, and stuck with the woman she betrayed, knowing that she can't stop the baby coming. And knowing that when it came, she would have to pretend that it wasn't hers, that her baby had died, that the new baby in the house was Livia's, and she was just the slave... Would they let her act as a wet nurse? Perhaps she could have some time with the child before it didn't need her milk anymore and Livia took over... She stood suddenly and walked to the window, staring out of it with her back to the other two. Her arms crossed over her body as she felt tears prick her eyes again, as though she was trying to keep everything inside. But as she stared out the window, a thought crossed her mind. What if she didn't have to watch her child grow up from a distance? What if... there was another way? What if she could find a way to get the child away from the house? It would be difficult to find a way to do it, cooped up in the villa. But if she slipped away in the middle of the night, after she had proven herself to be trustworthy... she could run away, find her way back into the city, have her baby, and give it away. As the thought crossed her mind, she tensed as though someone could read her thoughts. It seemed like the only option, but so nearly impossible... who would help her? She couldn't do it alone, and she couldn't expect Livia to help her. She seemed too alright with accepting her baby as her own... @Liv @Járnviðr
  24. Echo
    The name rang a familiar bell in her mind but she couldn't place it. Surely she must have met someone who knew someone in his household. "I may have heard the name," she said with a shrug, chuckling. "But as I said, my mistress does not socialize much, so I don't get to know them much." There were too many senators in Rome to know for sure, of course. Davus went on to explain that he had been in Corinth for a while before proceeding to Rome and Aglaea nodded. "I've never been there either. Is it nice?" She played with a loose end of her head covering as they walked, an unconscious motion. "I lived in Antioch after I left Judea, with my first mistress. And then I was sold to my current mistress, of course." Davus seemed nervous when he began his next question, asking her why she was wearing her head covering and she giggled a little. "Oh - I'm a Hebrew. It's customary for women in my faith to cover their hair, especially during our worship. I just left my... temple." He might not have been familiar with the real term for her place of worship, so she figured 'temple' was easier. "But I don't wear it all the time. I usually take it off when I return home." They had come to a honey cake place that Aglaea had been planning on stopping at and she drew to a stop. "You don't... want to join me for a cake, do you?" @Sharpie
  25. Echo
    Aglaea only smiled at Charis's admission that she hadn't spent much time with ladies of the senatorial class. Aglaea certainly had opinions about them, excluding her mistress, but Charis didn't need to hear about all of them. Perhaps she would give her some tips if her master ever got married, but that was a conversation for another time. Aglaea had taken the other woman's hand in hers and squeezed, but she didn't want to make her uncomfortable, so after a moment, she let go and laced her fingers together in her lap. "I'm sure you aren't, but one can be happy and still have a difficult time," she replied gently, her brow furrowed in worry about the other woman. Something wasn't right with this situation, but Aglaea had enough training in being proper to not pry if Charis didn't want to open up. She did, though, say that she had only been a slave for over a year, which answered a lot of her questions. She remembered being a young child, speaking barely any Latin and having a lot expected of her. It was easy to learn as a child - it was harder for adults, even if they were young like Charis was. "I'm sure he is. Your Latin is excellent, and your gardens are immaculate," she said with a smile. She looked back down at her hands. "I remember being in a similar position you are in now. Being new in a household. It isn't easy." She bit her lip. "If you ever need help, or just someone to talk to... I just want to let you know that I'm available to you." @Sara
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