Echo

Aglaea watched the slightly younger man as he cast around for how to begin, and while he considered how to start, she wondered about him. He clearly resembled Tertius, in ways that she couldn't quite explain, and yet she was still convinced she was right. But he was nothing like the Varus men she knew - Tertius was duplicitous, and, while a certainly better man than Secundus, she hardly trusted him more than his brother. And she didn't even want to think about Secundus much, after the events of a few days prior. She had a little bit of time before she started showing, but it seemed he was going ahead with his plan to sequester Livia and Aglaea in the villa until the baby was born. She was taking advantage of any chance to get out of the house and breathe before she wouldn't even be allowed that kindness. Wulfric seemed to begin, but instead returned to his earlier question, about whether she was alright. She blushed a little, both in the realization she'd forgotten to answer his question and in embarrassment at being caught displaying her emotions. "Oh, well, it's kind of you to ask," she said with a little smile. "Yes, I'm alright. I know you aren't going to hurt me. Perhaps I am just a little out of sorts today." @Atrice

Safinia admitted that there were a lot of jokes that she didn't understand and Marcellus nodded, wondering how that could possibly be. Most of his life was made up of jokes - saying them to his friends, his friends responding with jokes of their own. He laughed about pretty much everything in his life. Perhaps he and Safinia were just very different people. Maybe he could teach her to understand jokes better. But maybe later. "Well, these horses are athletes. I suppose they do need the best to perform the best," he said with a noncommittal shrug. He enjoyed horses, especially the particularly impressive specimens they had here at the stables. "And, no, these beasts are quite high-spirited so they get spooked easily. Probably someone else in the stables moved too quickly or lost a bit of paper fluttering in the wind. Those kinds of things can spook a horse." Safinia then said he should lie and say he got his scar in a fight, and asked whether he didn't already get attention from women. "Ah, yes, I do," he said, chuckling. "But one can never get complacent when it comes to charming them - gotta look for new angles to keep them interested." He winked. @Liv

Caecina's soul always quietened here, where she felt tucked away from the rest of the villa. There were tall hedges that provided shade and seclusion, and at the feet of these were a series of well-tended flower beds containing a variety of brightly colored flowers. Insects buzzed through the air, occasionally alighting upon the flowers and adding a pleasant ambient hum to the scene. But as Lucius began on his list of all the places he had been, she was disquieted. The poor man seemed so detached from the sad events he had seen - the deaths of many people around him, especially. She would never feel so detached from the death of her mother but she wondered if the sheer volume of tragedy he had experienced made them all seem less earth-shattering. As he finished up, he chuckled, but Caecina didn't quite feel ready to laugh about what he'd just described. Feeling moved, she placed a hand on his arm (which she had to reach up to considerably). "You've been through so much. I'm sorry for your loss." But as uncomfortable as she was with deep emotions and sadness, she pulled away and turned, apparently to examine some flowers, but really to compose herself once more. After a moment, she cleared her throat and turned back to him, having regained her previous jovial state. "So," she started briskly, mostly to move on from the sad moment, "I am ready for my quiz. Or, perhaps not ready - you don't grade harshly, do you?" @Chris

Gaius nodded, his smile faltering slightly as the man seemed curt and a bit unenthusiastic. He chose to press on with his goal of making a connection with him, though, and so followed him to their seats. Gaius took a healthy gulp of his drink and held it out as their server poured him another. Secundus led the way, too, in ordering dinner, and after a moment's thought, Gaius ordered a roasted pheasant and some bread, mostly thinking about filing his stomach rather than what would impress the woman. Gaius was, after all, hopeless with women. He sipped his drink once more as he cast around for a topic to discuss. "So, you are in the senate, yes? Good for you," he said with an encouraging smile. "I've been appointed to the praetorian guard - optio." @Járnviðr

Publius had been more than excited upon receiving Horatia's letter that she would be visiting the city, where Publius was currently residing. He had only recently returned from a campaign in Greece and, like the cycle of his life dictated, had grown weary of the military life and wanted to return to Rome. Though he was no statesman, Publius enjoyed the less regimented lifestyle of a senator, which quieted the echo of marching and the clangs of swords that rang in his ears otherwise. He was glad, too, to be able to spend time with his wife and children, who remained in Rome while he was away. He could hardly believe how big the children had gotten. And of course, being in Rome allowed visits from his family. Today, Publius had risen early and dressed himself, then gotten in his wife's way as she readied the household for their visitors, as he was eager to make sure everything was perfect. The triclinium was filled to the brim with savory treats and sweet desserts, spotted here and there with fresh floral decorations put there specially by Lucia. As the time approached for Horatia and Livia to arrive, Publius rushed around ensuring the slaves had made everything perfect. Soon enough, he heard his doorman usher his sister into the house and Publius hurried into the atrium, anxious to greet her. She stepped forward and he returned her embrace, beaming with pleasure. "Horatia, you're as radiant as ever," he said, pulling away. "I hope you had a safe journey? Come, are you hungry? There's plenty to eat." @Sara @Liv

Aglaea had met Charis briefly before, when Livia went to meet Tertius in his domus. She was glad that the other woman recognized her - she had seemed like a pleasant young woman and one that Aglaea might like to foster a friendship with. She had so few friendships, after all. Mostly just the other people in her synagogue, and various people she had met around Rome. She hadn't made many friends within her own household, even - they were all too frightened of Secundus to be seen speaking to one another, lest he have an episode and think they were conspiring against him. Charis tried to pronounced her name and got it right on the second try, to which Aglaea smiled. "Yes, that is right. It is good to see you again." She glanced at the woman's belly, which was growing with child. She chose not to mention it, though, remembering her own situation with Secundus and thinking she wouldn't want anyone to acknowledge her if she accidentally fell pregnant. She wasn't sure whether Charis was happy about her child, though, of course. Charis also remembered her as her master's sister-in-law's slave. Aglaea had long since gotten over any qualms about being called what she was. She had been a slave too long to have an issue with being recognized as one. "Yes, Livia Justina." She paused. "I was actually wondering if you could help me with something... if you are not too busy, of course." @Sara

What a curious question he had asked her - whether it was her name, or one that 'they' had chosen for her. "It's my name," she said slowly, feeling a bit silly. "It's always been 'Deianira'... though, I suppose, surely someone gave me it when I was young." He gave her his name as well and she smiled. "It is nice to meet you, Iophon." After they had exchanged names, he asked what sort of story she was interested in hearing and she suggested a happy one. Something had to be happy in this place, after all. He feigned distress when she suggested that, though, saying that most of his repertoire did not fit that description. But then he smiled and she responded in turn, recognizing that he had been messing with her. "I should hope that not all your stories end badly," she said. @Chevi

Caecina glared at him openly, now, as he said he knew a brat when he saw one. How dare he speak so about his superior? Manius might be older, but he wasn't in the same social class as Caecina and Marcus, and therefore had no right to speak of him that way. She was thrumming with furious and upset energy now, and she sat down on her bed with a huff, tossing her palla over her shoulder. Manius spoke again, saying he could try to understand her and that he could be a friend to her. Some kinder, calmer part of her brain recognized that he was trying to help her, trying to keep her from being led astray. But she didn't want to be kind right now. She had just been caught with Marcus, whom she thought she could love, and now they were going to be kept apart. "Only he can understand. I don't want to talk to you," she said, her voice cold but breaking a little bit. She wasn't sure why she was on the verge of crying, but she was all the same - what a curious reaction she was having to the whole situation. @Atrice

Aglaea's expression was visibly relieved when he didn't make a move to call the guards or grab her to turn her in. After all, what could a little woman like herself do against a tall, strong man like him? He was very kind and she appreciated his discreetness. It was, perhaps, a little easier to tell this man than her own mistress about her beliefs, who, at best, would dismiss them as silly, or, at worst, would forbid her from visiting her synagogue. "Yes... our sect has to remain secretive for our own protection. We don't even have our own meeting spots - we meet in the synagogues of the Hebrews." Manius remarked that it seemed to easy and Aglaea nodded. "It sounds easy. Having faith is something we all struggle with, but we are forgiven if we ask it." And what a comfort that thought had been, on long, sleepless nights after she had seen Secundus, knowing that no matter how gravely she betrayed her mistress, she would be forgiven for it. Then Manius asked another difficult question: what happened if you didn't do the things she had told him. She hesitated, not wanting him to be turned off by it. "Well," she said slowly, "sinners who do not repent go to Hell. It's a bit like Hades - the sinners are punished for eternity instead of spending eternity with God and His son." @Atrice

Wulfric was his name. It sounded vaguely Germanic, from what little Aglaea knew about that region. She had been one of a lucky few slaves to have received an excellent education, but she had only been educated in Latin and Greek, adding to her list of languages that she already spoke. She wondered briefly if Secundus might have had a similar plot in Germania like the one he was conducting now - perhaps Wulfric was the result of that. The slave felt a sudden pang of pity if that was the case. "It is nice to meet you, Wulfric." She had suggested that she might be keeping him from his business with her sudden interruption, and suggested she should go. But he stepped forward and placed a hand on her arm, and though she wasn't one to trust potential members of the Varus family, she didn't feel threatened by the gesture. She gave a hesitant smile and stopped, smoothing her skirts. "Oh, yes, I can tell you about Secundus," she said with a little laugh, which was tinged with bitterness. "You don't have to pay, I wouldn't want you to spend your coin on me." She looked around again in the shady area, and gestured to a ledge she hadn't noticed that they could sit on. "Here, why don't we sit? What do you want to know?" @Atrice

"Ah, so you were a rabble-rouser, then?" she teased. She always found the more energetic, bad boy types to be more interesting - but it seemed like this man had mellowed out as he had aged, which was interesting as well. Caecina made very little discrimination in her choices of pursuits, whether they were older, mature men, or boys who would kiss her and she could lead around with just the promise of a kiss. Longinus was becoming interesting to her. She sensed a little bit of amusement at her proclamation of the various things one could learn at a party, and she wondered if he thought her very silly. That was the trouble with older beaux - they often thought of her as an immature girl, gamboling like a kitten. Some found that attractive in her - some did not. "You shame me, Lucius, suggesting I deal in petty rumors," she said with feigned indignance. But then she laughed. "But, yes, just about anything I can get my hands on interests me. Because people interest me. You don't know any fascinating gossip, do you?" @Sara

Aglaea gazed at him as he spoke to Livia, her jaw still set angrily. Yes, everyone had what they wanted - except Aglaea, of course, who hadn't mattered as more than property since she had been enslaved. She scoffed quietly to herself as he said that bit, but her derision quickly turned to shock and despair as Secundus said that both she and Livia were to be sequestered at the villa until the child was born. She sank quietly into a seat next to Livia, staring at Secundus with a shocked expression. "You - you can't possibly expect us to stay locked away that long - nine months!" Her last statement was breathless as she felt the walls beginning to close around her. The domus had felt like a prison for years, but now that she couldn't occasionally leave it... She rested her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands, trying to stop the closed-in feeling from progressing. The thought of nine whole months sequestered, not permitted to see anyone, not her friends or her fellow Christians - think of how many meetings she would miss because of this! And how could she expect to find a solution that prevented Secundus from getting the child when she couldn't even leave the house? Dark clouds were gathering and she wasn't sure she had the strength to fight them. "Please, dominus," she said quietly, looking back up, "please, don't do this." @Liv @Járnviðr

Aglaea gazed at him curiously as he explained that the word meant woman in his native tongue. She hadn't noticed his accent before, but now she focused on it, it made sense. He asked what else she wanted to be called. "Oh, just 'Aglaea' is fine - that's my name." He did look somewhat like Tertius, but there were certain features that weren't like Tertius's. And obviously the accent was different. The young man asked whether her master had been in the military when he was younger, then mentioned Germania. She almost laughed out loud. Every servant in his household knew that something had happened in Germania - it was one of his favorite topics to have nightmares about or to pace around muttering about. "Yes, he was. He was in Germania when he was younger, but was captured or something... and then returned years later." She looked around again, realizing she might be keeping him. "I'm not keeping you from anything, am I? I can go." @Atrice

Aglaea hoped that God forgave whatever you asked of him, at least. She had done things throughout her life that would certainly be qualified as sins, most egregiously bedding her mistress's husband. She wasn't sure whether God took into account one's motivations to sin, so she just thought her sins would be considered that. But Manius wanted to know what the whole truth was. Glancing quickly about them to see that there was no one close enough to hear, she leaned in closer. "Well, I've been telling you about the beliefs of the Israelites. But there is more to the story. God saw the sins of the world and knew that humans needed a chance for redemption. He sent his only son down to earth and his son, Jesus, died for our sins to be forgiven." She paused, gauging his reaction. "And there is now a sect of my religion called Christianity... we follow the teachings of God's son. And we know that the only way to be forgiven is to accept Christ and ask for forgiveness." There. Now she'd done it. If he had heard of the bad reputation of Christians, would he turn her in? She tensed up ever so slightly. @Atrice

Caecina started to feel a bit better as Horatia spoke, describing birth as nearly indescribable, and saying that all one could do was to prepare and hope for the best. Caecina, of course, believed in the gods and goddesses, but had never found them to be particularly helpful in her everyday troubles. Why should they take an interest in her giving birth one day? No, she decided, she would trust in the medicii and midwives. They would be her gods when that day came. She smiled again when Horatia said that she was a lovely woman and that any man would bet his fortune for an hour of her time, and nodded when the older woman said that she could come to her with questions if she wanted to. "I really appreciate your advice, Horatia. I'll admit, it is a bit easier to talk to you than Juliana." She was sure that she would have other questions once she got the gumption to ask her, but for now, her anxieties had returned to the shadows, to be remembered another day. "And thank you for inviting me into your home. I hope I can return the favor soon." @Sara Sure, we can wrap it up :)

Aglaea faltered for a moment at the venom in his voice, fearing physical violence from the man. But then her anger flared at his suggestion of cruelty and she found her boldness once more. Was it not more cruel to drive a wedge between Aglaea and her mistress? Was it not cruel for Secundus to bed his wife's slave without concern of whether she really wanted to sleep with him, or to bring a child into the world knowing its father's imbalances? "It takes a cruel man to know cruelty, does it not? Everyone in this house cowers from your tempers, Secundus. If anyone here is cruel, it is you." She set her jaw in an effort to control herself. "I learned this morning. And yes, I have failed. It is my most egregious failure." She returned to the idea of she and Livia conspiring against him, realizing that Livia might be the one to receive the brunt of his anger, since her child protected her for the most part. "Livia had nothing to do with this. She only learned of your... plot this morning. My efforts to prevent bringing a child into your household were my efforts alone." There was no need for him to know that Livia, too, was taking silphium. "I kept my word until it was no longer tenable." @Járnviðr @Liv

Aglaea followed her mistress into the room where Secundus sat, her chin level with the ground for once. The conversation she had just gone through with Livia had changed her somehow, made her see that Secundus was someone she should not respect. She had decided that for once, while they were alone in this room, discussing terms, she would speak to him as though she were his equal. Livia began the conversation, asking if her husband had anything to tell her about Aglaea and himself. The Judean had been hoping for a rush of grim pride upon seeing him cower, but the man rose to the occasion, keeping his cool and saying that it was obvious that the slave had already wagged her tongue. As he fixed her with an expression of disappointment, she met his eyes with a cool expression. "You have cause to celebrate, Secundus," she said, her voice matching her expression. "You have a child on the way." Her eyes narrowed as she thought back on all the times she'd come to his bed, her stomach lurching in anger. "And don't think I didn't try to prevent this. No child deserves you as a father." @Liv @Járnviðr

Aglaea was still confused at her initial thought that this was Tertius. Was she losing her mind? But surely not. Now that she looked closer, he did somehow look like the man. Something in the face, the nose or the eyes maybe. The hair color? She realized she was being a little strange and shook herself out of it. "Goodness, that's not your fault. I was just so sure..." She laughed at herself a bit. "Forgive me for wasting your time." She was just turning to go, when he looked over her, asking whether she was alright and calling her some strange word she'd never heard before. "K... kwena?" she asked, approximating the word as best as she could, though it was a poor imitation. "What does that mean?" In her interest in the word, she had forgotten to answer his previous question, though her answer would have been far from honest. She was very much not alright, but she'd gotten used to living in such a state. "Sorry - are you, by chance, a member of the family of my master, Secundus? You look quite a bit like him." @Atrice

Aglaea smiled back as Livia did, noticing the way it didn't stick for very long. Smiles had a way of doing that in this household - appearing quickly and flitting away like frightened birds. "We can't have that happen," she said with a short laugh, referring to Livia becoming bald at the rough, inexperienced hands of Ursa. Aglaea was protective of her mistress in more ways than one, including her beauty. Livia was now suggesting that they tell Secundus now and Aglaea gave a shrug. "No time like the present, I suppose," she said. There was really no point in making him wait, especially since he would want an explanation for their earlier encounter. She lifted herself off the floor, her knees aching from the pressure she'd put on them. "I hope you're right." The last thing she wanted was to continue going to Secundus's bed with Livia in the know, so she hoped that that would be a benefit to telling him. "Let's get you ready for the day," she continued gently, following her mistress into the room. With practiced hand guiding her back into a calmer state, she wrapped the stola around Livia and then helped her with her hair, noting a few broken strands from her tearing hands with a "tut tut." Finally, Livia was ready, dressed like a proper matron. It was time to face the master of the household. @Liv @Járnviðr

Aglaea was still trying to recover from the events a few days prior. Finding out she was pregnant was one thing, but then having to tell her mistress that she had slept with her husband in order to bear him a child - well, it was quite another thing. Secundus had seemed pleased enough with the news. Livia had been right about another thing, too - the news that she was with child had gotten Secundus to leave her alone, having no reason to invite her to his bed now that his goal had been accomplished. However, her news had come with some other changes - Aglaea was now followed every time she left the house, regardless of her destination. It seeemd the father of her child wanted to be sure of her safety. Today, Aglaea had ventured into the market for a few necessities of Livia's, particularly replacing her cosmetics that had run low recently. Livia entrusted such tasks only to her most seasoned servant and the Judean was just glad to escape the house, which had an oppressive air. She had still been contemplating what she should do about the situation - was it morally acceptable to bring a child into the house, knowing he or she would be raised by Secundus of all people? She knew she couldn't get rid of the child before it came, and she already felt such a connection to the life growing inside of her. As she listlessly perused the cosmetic stall for the products she needed, she glanced up to see a familiar profile. Was that Tertius? Aglaea quickly purchased the items she had been holding and pushed through the crowd toward the man. That was what she needed - advice. And who better to give advice about such a situation than Tertius, a member of Secundus' family? "Dominus, may I have a word with--" She stopped as she drew closer, realizing her mistake with a touch of surprise. She had been sure that this man was Tertius. His profile had been so similar, but this clearly was a younger, different man. "Oh, my mistake. I thought you were someone else." @Atrice

Caecina had no desire to have a practical stranger explain sex and childbirth to her, especially since the topic had been broached long ago by Juliana, once the woman had gained Caecina's trust. It had been an embarrassing experience the first time, much less having Horatia (who was altogether a very nice woman, Caecina had decided, but still a stranger) tell her all about it. No, thank you, she thought. Death in childbirth, however, was another topic altogether - something all women discussed, young and old, in different ways. Caecina managed a brave smile when she felt the woman's hand squeeze her gently. "Thank you." Her explanation was illuminating, though not particularly comforting. Caecina reasoned that Horatia didn't owe her comfort, though, and settled with the acquiring of knowledge about childbirth. The allegory about childbirth and battle was an interesting one - she'd have to think about that one for a while. "I think... my mother was older. I've heard that that can affect a woman's chances of... well." She waved her hand vaguely. "I think that is the one thing about marriage that frightens me. Of course, I've been trained well and I'm ready for other aspects but I suppose hearing about birth doesn't really do it justice, does it?" @Sara

"Ah, I see. You must be terribly brave, serving Rome like that. I wish I had your courage," she said with a smile, hoping to stroke his ego to see where the compliment would take them. She really had no illusions about Britannia, having heard from her father's letters to her stepmother that it was a rather filthy place, filled with savages looking to get their fill of blood. Also, she'd heard that it rained there nearly daily - it wasn't her cup of tea, to be certain. But compliments showered upon a man were always useful in gaining his favor. At least, with the men who courted her; she used compliments like a weapon, bestowing them when she was pleased or using their opposite when her pride was bruised. And it was easily bruised. She smiled as he said it was an excellent reputation. "I'm sure my father is helpful in that regard, at least." Part of her realized how much she was at the mercy of her father's career to keep her afloat - what were beauty and charm when they belonged to a pauper or one not properly connected to the movers and shakers of Rome? Longinus admitted that he was at her mercy to guide him. "It would be my pleasure, naturally." He laughed and asked why he was even invited to parties like these and she chuckled. "I'm sure there was a very good reason you were invited. And as to why I enjoy these so much, it all comes down to people." She spoke with a feigned, ironic note of wisdom. "People are what interest me, Lucius, and where there are people, there is information to be learned about them. If that isn't enough to satiate you, at least the wine and entertainment are tantalizing," she laughed. Mostly, her specialty was gathering young men about her, but one tired of being in the center of attention sometimes. @Sara

Caecina looked at him with an expression reminiscent of that of a petulant child whose favorite toy has been taken away. Her bottom lip was sticking out ever so slightly, her jaw set, her eyes full of hurt and confusion. She thought she knew what she wanted: to be with Marcus, maybe even to marry him one day. And she was willing to wait for him, willing to coquette around Rome in good fun but to wait to be truly his. But Manius was getting in the way of all that! He thought he could keep them apart -- well, they'd just see about that. He was talking, but she barely heard him through the flurry of thoughts in her mind. She would simply arrange to meet Marcus somewhere at night, when Manius had stepped away from his post. She could slip past, meet Marcus. It would be even more fun knowing the risk they were taking in meeting again! But she did hear one thing Manius said -- that Marcus was not good for her. Her expression turned even more like a petulant child and she crossed her arms in fury. "You don't know that. He's the only one who really understands me, Manius. And you can't keep us apart." @Atrice

Deia smiled back at him as she finished pouring him a cup. There was something kind about him that drew her to him, her being so in need of kindness. She poured him a refill as he held his cup out and then watched as he settled on a couch, asking her name. "It's Deianira, but most just call me Deia," she said. "And yours?" His other suggestion was for her to choose what sort of story she wanted. "I think I would like a happy one - something exciting," she said with a little laugh. Finishing her rounds with the amphora, she settled into a chair across from his couch, her eyes betraying eagerness. @Chevi

Aglaea felt a ghost of a smile flit across her face when Livia accepted the cloth and wiped her eyes with it, but it instantly fell when the tears arrived in her eyes again. "Please don't cry domina," she said quietly, a note of desperation. "I don't like to see you cry." She knew this was futile but it made her feel slightly better, even if she knew Livia had the right to cry about the whole mess. The Judean still felt guilt about not telling Livia, even if she believed it had been the right course of action. Her original plan, of letting Secundus's hopes be dashed until he gave up, hadn't worked, and now they were saddled with a much more delicate and dangerous situation. Aglaea stared at Livia as she suggested she should not let the child grow up, an expression of hurt flitting across her face. It was the one option she would never consider. Already, she felt a responsibility to this child, to get it into the world so it had a fighting chance at a happy life... a life so unlike its mother led now. But Livia immediately backtracked, saying she hadn't meant it. Aglaea gazed down at her clasped hands before nodding at length. "I forgive you. I understand how painful this must be for you and I'm very sorry." Livia pulled at her hair again and, feeling a little safer in touching her mistress, Aglaea gently took her wrist in her hand and pulled it away from her head. "Don't do that, domina. You have the most beautiful hair." Her hand shifted to hold Livia's in hers. Livia went on to suggest that she send Aglaea away for her pregnancy and the slave bit her lip, considering the possibility. But she was right - who would take her in for nine months, until she was unable to be useful? Her sister might have, at one point, but their relationship had been so strained recently, Aglaea doubted Horatia would want another slave in her household to care for. Then there was Livia's father, but again - Livia probably wasn't very fond of her father for putting Livia unwillingly into the marriage that had caused this situation in the first place. It seemed an untenable option. "What, and leave foolish Ursa to comb your hair in the mornings? You know she yanks it horribly," Aglaea said with a slight twist in her mouth that spoke of a smile. She grew serious again as Livia asked her what she thought. "I'm not sure, domina. But I don't think we can hide it from Secundus very long anyway. Perhaps..." She sighed, throwing up her free hand in frustration. "We can't win, no matter how we slice it. Maybe a plan will come to us in time, but why hide it? Secundus will come to know eventually." She glanced at Livia again. "And we can't stay cooped up in here for very long. He'll want an explanation." @Liv @Járnviðr