Echo

Aglaea felt his eyes and knew why he was watching her. It was obvious to anyone that she was uncomfortable - it wasn’t exactly a situation that inspired comfort. Going behind  the back fo the woman she had served for years, bearing a child that should have been hers. It was too much to be stood with comfort, so he would have to acclimate himself to that or find some other woman to impregnate. 
 

She gaped at him openly as he asked his question. Why should a slave owner care about the slave’s tiredness? It was beneath him, to ask such a thing or even to wonder about it. Even Livia, dear to Aglaea though she was, hardly noticed the way she fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow, or noticed the aching feet from standing all day. A slaves exhaustion only became a problem worth noticing when she collapsed. But he didn’t give her a chance to respond before moving on. 

He said that he was keeping well, after speaking poetically about the cold. Aglaea could appreciate poetry - she was educated, after all. But why be poetic when there was business to attend to? She finally took a sip of the spiced wine and felt a measure of calm. But she had started to wonder something, at her earlier thought about Secundus choosing someone else. Why had it been her? She gazed at him for a moment, feeling suddenly bold. “Why did you choose me, dominus?” Was it proximity on the night in question? Or to get back at Livia for her emotional state? She wondered. 

@Járnviðr

If Deianira had heard his thoughts, she would have certainly disagreed. He was cruel, among the cruelest she had ever met (and she had more than enough experience with men). She put him at a slightly higher level of cruelty than Titus Lupus, as Titus at least punished people for doing things wrong. Deia didn't think Marcus hurt people for any good reason; he just enjoyed it. He had certainly shown how much he'd enjoyed her blood the night they had met, as he had finished rather quickly. She started a little at the feel of his hand on her back as they walked, clutching her amphora carefully and showing her tension in her shoulders. 

He greeted people as they walked, but she kept her face in a drawn expression and averted her eyes, not even bothering to look for an escape as she knew it was hopeless. All she could hope for was that he would get it over with quickly, whatever 'it' was, and let her get on with her day. Eventually, they reached a house and went around the back, though not inside. She stared at him as he said to strip. "You mean... here? Outside?" All of her promiscuity was reserved for inside; she dressed modestly outside of the brothel, invariably. She made no move to strip just yet, unsure of herself and if he truly meant to make her stand outside naked. 

@Atrice

Aglaea hadn't really thought her actions through, inviting Manius to sit with her,  but she supposed there was no harm in it. She didn't even consider that it was unusual for someone to do such a thing; she knew she just had plenty of cakes and wanted to share with a new friend. And perhaps it would do him some good; he had such a morose way about him, and Aglaea hated to see other people unhappy (even if she often was herself, at least, while she was near Secundus.) Manius might not think she looked old, but she was certainly no spring chicken. She wasn't as bad off as some though, and had a few more years before her hard labor started to catch up with her. 

Manius explained that he'd only been with his current mistress a few weeks and that he'd lost his old job after the earthquake. Then, he asked her about whether she was happy at her current posting. How many different answers there were to that question! Was she happy to serve Livia and be her support system? Yes, she had a servant's heart. Was she happy living in that particular domus? No. And was she happy to be stuck attempting to bear Secundus's child, while also staving off that possibility with silphium for her own relationship with Livia to remain intact? Certainly not. It was the hardest part of her life at the moment. But Manius didn't need her life story. 

"Certainly," she said with a smile, focusing on the positives of her life. "I am blessed by God in many ways, both to have a home and a loving mistress who takes good care of me."

@Atrice

Deianira was holding her breath but didn't realize it as Marcus spoke again, saying that he knew where they could be alone. Well, that was good wasn't it? He couldn't bloody well rip her tunica off in the middle of the crowded street. But then again, why couldn't he? She was worthless. She had some shame in nakedness still, but she hadn't always - it was a recent development. She supposed it was because of feeling fragile after she lost her baby. But she hoped he wouldn't undress her in public, anyway. 

Finally she spoke up. "Very well. I have to be back soon, though." Not that he cared. He would probably be the one punishing her if Titus thought she deserved it. She wondered why the man didn't put Marcus Barbatius on his payroll and be done with it; he was far more effective at keeping the workers in line than the regular bodyguard. Nobody wanted to go under the knife by his hands. It seemed he knew what he was doing today, so she submitted herself to his leadership, wondering where he would take her. 

@Atrice

Aglaea hovered indecisively in the doorway to the tablinum. Every meeting followed the same general formula, and the first parts were always the most awkward. She could almost handle this arrangement better if Secundus simply slipped into her room, did his business, and left. But he seemed to want to connect with her beforehand and that made everything much more disconcerting. Also adding to the tension that had fallen about her shoulders was Secundus's bouts of rage that occurred now more frequently. Aglaea herself was certainly better suited to warmer weather, but her temper didn't flare like his, nor did anyone else's. She had to wonder if his enhanced anger in the cold had to do with the vague stories she'd picked up from the house slaves. Something about Germania...

The Judaean couldn't keep her master waiting, though, so she decided it was best to just get it over with, starting with Secundus's 'courtship' of sorts. She finally entered the room at his beckoning and sat on the edge of a day bed, accepting the cup of wine that he had poured but not drinking, grasping it in her hands with white knuckles. Secundus suggested that Livia had kept her busy and she gave a ghost of a smile. "Yes, well... I suppose she is not unlike any other noble Roman woman in that regard. Domina, along with most Roman women, take a lot of upkeep." Aglaea had no such luxury, though she was afforded the right to wear finer clothes than the house slaves, as well as a precious few pieces of jewelry she reserved for special occasions. 

She gazed around the tablinum for a few moments in silence, unsure of what was expected of her. She wondered if light conversation would only delay the true purpose of this meeting, but if he wanted conversation, she could provide it. "We haven't spoken in some time, dominus. How have you been keeping? This cold weather settles in the bones." 

@Járnviðr

Manius seemed like a kind soul, though Aglaea sensed that there was a great sadness about him. The slave had become very attuned to other people's emotions over the years, both because of having to learn to guess Livia's moods, as well as recently doing the same for Secundus. It was a matter of survival in the Varus household, anticipating mercurial emotions. 

Aglaea hadn't meant to talk about herself so much, but Manius asked about her homeland and whether she missed it. "Oh, Rome has been my home for many years now. I barely remember living in Judaea, if I'm honest. I've been with my current mistress for fourteen years now." She chewed on a bit of cake. "How long have you been with your mistress?"

@Atrice

Aglaea felt her frustration subside a bit, realizing she was just a little upset and frightened at the thought of being reprimanded. A reprimand - certainly not something a slave her age couldn't handle, after all. Even if she had resented it every time due to her excellent training and success at her occupation. She needed to be the calm one here, buffer Secundus's apparently murderous aspirations and Livia's concerns. Taking a deep breath, she folded her hands once more in that classic pose of the subservient and trained her eyes on the ground. 

"The last purchase I made was at the jeweler. I had the sense not to place your jewelry in the coin purse, naturally. After that, I thought to purchase a honey cake with my own wages, but I did not. I do not remember seeing the purse at that time. Then I took a walk to the Forum to take a break, as it was hot outside and I needed a rest. After sitting for a moment, I noticed that the purse was missing." She paused and thought. That seemed to sum it up - she would tell Livia about Rufus later, as she expected her to tell her of every man she met now. 

@Járnviðr @Liv

Deia kept her gaze down still, but it didn't take an active imagination to visualize the smile that was surely covering his face. He was lecherous and evil, it was the only thought that crossed her mind. She had hoped she would never have to see him again, knowing now what she did about what a visit from him meant. She wondered what exactly he wanted from her, but then he said it in no uncertain terms. He wasn't one to mince words, apparently. She ventured a glance up at his face as he said her master wouldn't mind and frowned. 

Titus was not a kind master and if she were late, it would certainly earn her a beating, even if she did have a good reason. But was she supposed to deny him this? Knowing that he kept a tiny blade that would rend her flesh if she denied him? She decided not to say anything, since she couldn't find anything to say at all. She just hoped he would be quick about it so she could make it on time. 

@Atrice

Caecina vaguely felt Marcus's hand running over her body, and she couldn't deny the wave of pleasure that washed over her. He had told her before, but his hand was a reassurance that he found her attractive, that fear that often ran through the minds of young women. One of her hands pressed to his cheek, while the other brushed his side lightly. His lips tasted just as she remembered, a taste that lingered in her memory when they were apart from one another. 

He pulled away for a moment, calling her tempting again and plucking at the hem of her chiton. And then he spoke about not going all the way, clearly hinting that he wanted more. Of course he would want to, but she wasn't sure... "What... exactly did you have in mind?"

@Atrice

February, 74CE

Aglaea shivered as she pulled her shawl closer about her. It was wintertime in Rome, and a chill had stolen through the house despite the efforts of the house slaves to stave it off. But there was not only a physical chill, but one that had seeped into the hearts of those newest to the Varus household, particularly Aglaea. Only a day or two after the marriage of Livia Justina and Secundus Quinctilius Varus, the latter had presented a proposition to Aglaea: lay with him in the place of her mistress, lessen her burden by bearing her master's child. And this was the source of the chill that had entered the slave's heart. 

She had recently found a new faith, Christianity, but the texts of Judaism had given her trouble about the moral questions of the situation. How could she possibly take Secundus to bed and sleep well at night, with him being a married man? And, moreover, the husband of her own mistress. Though she supposed that the act of adultery was a sin reserved for those of a higher social standing - perhaps it didn't quite apply to slaves, and that was one hope she held onto. And if not, she prayed every night for forgiveness of her sins, should her acts prove to be such. 

Secundus had asked for her sparingly, at least, she had to give him that. Only a few rendezvouses, every other month or so. But every time she was sent for, she felt a chunk of ice fall into her stomach. Besides her moral questions, Aglaea had been skimming a little off the top of Livia's silphium every month when she was asked to retrieve it from the apothecary. She really hadn't been educated about how much to take, so she could only hope that she'd taken enough to delay the inevitable result of her meetings with her master. 

Tonight was one of those meetings, it seemed. After seeing her mistress safely tucked to bed, she'd been preparing to retire herself, when a young house slave had come to her with a message. She was to meet Secundus in the tablinum, that place where she had agreed to carry Livia's burden, after midnight when the rest of the house had drifted off and they wouldn't be noticed. Now she shivered against the cold that came both from within and without as she entered the tablinum and dipped her head to the man waiting there. "Good evening, dominus. You sent for me."

Title inspired by this song

@Járnviðr

Deia felt her heart racing as she walked along, trying not to make a scene out of her distress. Seeing him within the brothel was enough, but to then see him in public as well was... well, it was like he was haunting her. She thought she would get away clear, but it seemed he had spotted her and he stopped her in her tracks by blocking her way. She was out of breath and determined not to look him in the eye, because if she did, she would see the hint of the animal that got his sick kicks from cutting flesh. She had seen how he had risen to the sight of her blood. 

And how could she have forgotten him? No, he would be in her thoughts for some time. Studying the ground, she nodded. "Yes... I remember." 

@Atrice

July 75CE

It was a rather dreary day in Rome, and the clouds sat heavily in the sky, promising rain later and blocking the sun from shining through. Citizens went on their way, mingling with slaves as they moved from task to task. Deianira had been given a few errands to run - as a part of the Elysium, it wasn't enough that she devoted her every night to serving the men of the city. She had to earn her keep in other ways, such as the errands she was running now. She had already made a few purchases, including an amphora of the cheap wine served to the workers which had been running low. 

As she was a diligent worker and quick, she had a few more minutes before she had to return to the brothel, and she intended to take advantage of it. She had wandered off a little further than she had meant to, and she was without a guard, though she didn't dare run off. Her master's wrath would be immeasurable if she ran off and he found her. She had decided to take the long way around to see what she could find. She walked through the crowd, gazing around her, pleased to be away from the brothel for once. But an icy chill ran through her as she recognized a face in the crowd. Marcus Barbatius. 

Stunned at first, she gathered herself and began walking away as quickly as she could, begging the gods to spare her meeting him outside of the brothel, too. She only hoped she hadn't been seen. 

@Atrice

Caecina smiled as Horatia said that she had two children with such pride. She didn't think to be catty about that small number - after all, how could she? She had been her mother's only surviving child. Fertility was not something she chose to be cruel about, even though it was a central focus of many conversations she'd had with girls her own age as well as more mature women. Horatia went on to tell her her children's ages and admit she'd forgotten what teenagers were like. Caecina gave a slight smile at this, though she felt a little offended - was she just a teenager? She had moved on into womanhood, of course, but everyone still treated her as though she were a child. "I am sure they are lovely children. My stepmother has three of her own - a boy and two little girls. I love going to see them at the villa." 

The topic then went on to marriage, as it always inevitably did. Horatia gently asked whether her parents were looking for matches for her and Caecina felt a touch of pride about the situation. There were any number of young men that courted her at social events, even taking her out to walk in the Gardens or to give her petty gifts to catch her attention. She was a well-connected young woman and therefore desirable as a bride. "Certainly, they are looking," she agreed. Horatia then said it had been demoralising for her and Caecina nodded, trying to be sympathetic - but Caecina rather found it exciting and pleasing to know how desirable she was, even if it was to older men. 

"Too many to count," she admitted with a laugh. "Those can be a little embarrassing. But I am sure that Juliana and my father will find a suitable match for me." She took a sip of wine. "I am ever so excited to be married, though. I know it is a lot of responsibility - but what have I been training for all these years, after all?" She felt ready - though she was immature and probably didn't conceptualize what marriage was actually likely to be. 

@Sara

Caecina enjoyed her flirtatious behavior with Marcus - it was always behind closed doors, with no one around, ensuring both her reputation and his remained intact. Of course, if she ever caught wind of a household slave gossiping about her, she would find her wrath very hard to control. It was nobody's business what she and her stepbrother got up to together - moreover, if Juliana wasn't there to stop them, there was no reason for her to find out about it! So she worried very little about the implications of her activities with Marcus and just enjoyed them - up until the point where they could actually harm her future, of course. 

Marcus said that he didn't want her to faint, proceeding to caress her with his lips in a very tempting way. His lips were so soft and gentle against her flesh that it sent goosebumps up her arms and back. Marcus then gently pushed her down onto her back and she was more than willing to let him do it. He asked if she would let him do it and she grinned up at him, but before she could respond, his mouth covered hers finally. Her own lips met his with vigor, all the more excited because of his teasing and caresses. But then he called her sister and she quirked an eyebrow at him. "Oh, don't call me sister when we're kissing," she said, exasperated but amused. "It's just Caecina." Then she kissed him again, pulling him closer. 

@Atrice

Annis thought that having a room alone with Alexius would be a fine way to get her past her block and distract her from the present. And of course, Alexius was always willing. He was probably the best and most experienced lover she'd ever had. She laughed as Alexius said he liked having fun and then toasted to it, complimenting her in the same breath. "You're shameless, Alexius. Never change." She raised her cup in turn. "To having fun." They had all night. 

@Atrice End. 

Freedom, or dreaming of it, wasn't what kept Deia going, really. She had never tasted it, and therefore couldn't pine after it. But she managed to find a reason to wake up every morning, somehow found the strength to keep going. She couldn't explain where her motivation came from, but it was there, like a flickering light. 

Travels were much more interesting to think of, though. Thessala suggested there were barbarians in the surrounding areas of Rome and she laughed. "Well, I'll know what to do with one if I meet one, won't I? Stick him with the pointy end?" Thessala then asked how these evenings went for her. Deia wasn't too sure - this kind of event was not something she'd had experience with in Greece. "I'm just supposed to go out there and entertain, I suppose. Yes, there's a guard from the brothel here - though I don't think he's here for my protection, just to keep me in line, I expect." Not that she had much of a rebellious streak. 

@Chevi

Aglaea was no spring chicken, either, but she was not old either and it was not unheard of for women her age to conceive. The thought of carrying her master's child cowed her easily, and the Judaean was not easily cowed under normal circumstances. She barely registered his encouraging smile, but managed a small one in response to appease him. No use irritating the man, after all. He could make life very difficult with her. And she imagined their trysts would be passionless, a business, impersonal. At least, she hoped so. That was how she planned to treat it. 

Secundus then complimented her devotion and assured her that he would call for her when he was ready. She let out an imperceptible breath of relief - she wasn't sure she'd worked up enough courage to take him to bed immediately. "Yes, dominus. If there is nothing else, may I retire to my room?" With his permission granted, Aglaea melted into the shadows of the quiet domus and returned to her bed to lay in silence, weighed down by the task she'd taken on, and the enormity of keeping it a secret. 

@Járnviðr End. 

Aglaea couldn't help but be uncomfortable around Secundus - when he was around, and especially when they were both with Livia, all she could think of was the "arrangement" she and her master had come to two years prior. When she was just with Livia, she could ignore the guilt and moral questions that plagued her about Secundus bedding her. But not when she was in the presence of both of them. She thought the truth would be written all over her face and then how could she face Livia, who she had been with for years and was like family? 

Secundus was skeptical about the story, but it was the truth. Aglaea was not one to tell lies - she would omit things, when necessary, but when questioned directly, she usually proved to be forthwith and trustworthy. She was frustrated almost to tears, though, when Secundus asked where she had been attacked. "I wasn't directly attacked, dominus," she said, trying to keep the frustration out of her voice (though not entirely successfully). "I never noticed anyone taking the money and it could have been any number of places. I swear, I am telling the truth." 

@Járnviðr @Liv

Aglaea watched as her master exhaled, seeming more exhausted than it was normal to be. It appeared that Secundus always had a flurry of thoughts racing through his mind, invisible to everyone except those who carefully watched him. And Aglaea was on high alert in this new situation, and therefore more observant than normal. Perhaps she should offer him a sleeping potion of poppy seeds - being a body slave meant that she had learned any number of things to make her mistress more comfortable, and that often meant aiding sleep. But he had moved on, it seemed. 

It took the body slave a moment to realize the full weight of what Secundus was requesting of her. As realization dawned on her, her eyes widened, gazing at him in wonderment. It wasn't unheard of, of course, but she had never personally been asked such a thing. And certainly she'd had her fair share of casual trysts with other slaves, rendezvouses in dark closets when the urge hit her. But that wasn't what he was asking. He was asking her to take her mistress's place in producing him a child. And that thought frightened her. 

Her first thought was of the moral implications. How could she possibly take her mistress's husband to bed, just after they'd been married? And even if they kept it a secret for the time being, if she did happen to become pregnant, there was no way she could hide that from Livia. But Aglaea then thought of her poor mistress, prostrate with grief with no end in sight - how much worse it would be for Secundus to claim his marriage rights with her? Aglaea could not allow that. So, she would bear this as she had borne so many things in the past. 

Taking a deep breath, and looking at Secundus squarely, she answered. "I will do whatever it is that you ask of me, dominus. My mistress is suffering, and whatever I can do to lessen her burden, I will. I must."

@Járnviðr

Marcellus just chuckled at the look she gave him. He had found her to be much more amusing than the women who simply fawned over him and sucked up to him. She didn't take any of his crap and that interested him in a way he hadn't expected. He needed to see more of this woman and see what else there was to learn about her. She seemed interested at his offer of a drinking challenge (he was, of course, confident that he could drink her under the table) but said she'd have to ask her mistress, as it would put her out of commission for at least a day. "Well, I'm usually available. Just let me know."

She argued that the princes' bodyguards were probably more important and he shrugged in reponse. "Well, you're up there, either way." They kept walking for a while until finally they were approaching the palace. Marcellus looked up at it in wonder, considering what it might be like to live there. He gave a low whistle. "Fancy place," he said ironically. "Well, I guess this is where we part ways. It's been fun, Cynane. I hope we do it again."

@Atrice

Deia gave a laugh. "Well, if I'm ever in a situation in which I need to stab one, I'll remember your advice." The woman then stipulated that this was all theoretical and she nodded seriously, though resolved into laughing. "Of course. Theoretically." The woman's next question was a curious one - what she would do if she were free? It was something that had occupied very little space in her mind, as there was little chance she would ever gain her freedom. She had always been a slave, and moreover, had been a sex worker since she'd been old enough to be one. Freedom was a far-off concept. 

"I... don't really know. I wouldn't know what to do with myself." But after another minute of silent thinking, she shrugged. "I think I might like to go travel. There is so much to see in Rome and its surrounding territories that I'd like to see." 

@Chevi

Caecina put on her best professional attitude and answered. "I behaved like a child and treated you unfairly. For that, I am sorry." Of course, she wasn't sorry for her opinions that everyone treated her like a child - if it was true, why should she be sorry? But Manius didn't deserve that, they had barely spoken for ten minutes at this point and hadn't even had a chance to treat her anyway other than professionally. 

She gazed at him for a minute. "I believe that I will retire to my room for a nap. Perhaps later we can go out and visit the marketplace."

@Atrice

She hoped she had answered correctly - it had seemed like some sort of test of her abilities as a slave, and though her first reaction was to be slightly offended (she'd been a body slave for more than a decade!) she reasoned that it was fair - they were new to one another and had to learn the other's abilities. The pair entered the tablinum and before she sat, she lit a candle to place on a table by where he was sitting. She opted to stand instead of sit, having not been officially offered a seat. She didn't want to offend him by any means. 

As he spoke again, she nodded and put her cup down in order to light a few more candles. It was slightly touching that he was concerned with Livia's sleep, but in response to the question, the slave shook her head. "No, dominus, I don't believe it will." They weren't close enough to the master bedroom to disturb her anyway, and Aglaea suspected she might be sleeping rather heavily by now. Secundus thanked her for the wine and Aglaea gave a surprised look, then dipped her head. "Of course, dominus. Is there anything else I can get for you?"

@Járnviðr

Of course, he had meant it - but Caecina hoped that he also knew that she could never take him up on that offer. Her honor was a big factor in what made her a valuable bride, and if she lost that, she would lose her reputation and all hopes for a good marriage. No matter how much she liked Marcus, she couldn't risk her future like that. No more than she could expect Marcus to marry her now, with no money to his name, no house of his own, and about to start the course of honor - it wouldn't be fair to either of them. 

But now was not the time for such serious thoughts - he was speaking in such an enchanting, devilish voice, his lips just above hers. So tempting... "I can't scream if I've fainted, now can I?" He then asked her what she would do if he took advantage of her and she chuckled slightly as he kissed everywhere but her lips. "I'm nothing but a girl, Marcus - how could I have the strength to stop you?"

@Atrice

Annis hovered between living in the present and the past - both held such different emotions for her. One thing she didn't do, though, was to live in the future - that was simply unwise. She could have vague plans, but the gods would always change her plans and therefore overplanning only caused more grief. She turned her attention fully to her friend as he said they could get a room if they wanted to. 

With a smirk, she ran a light hand over his thigh, inching higher, teasing him with her touch under the table where no one could see. He had a good suggestion, though, to finish the jug they were on and bring another one to a room. "A fine idea." She drained her current cup and filled it again, bringing the jug to nearly empty. Alexius asked if there was something she wanted and she gave a noncommittal shrug. "It is all the same to me, but I always find a way to have fun when you're around, Alexius." She smirked at him again. 

@Atrice