Chevi

Lucius wished he could hold Ovinia's hand. He'd accompanied the women because he knew them both, and he knew Tiberius as well. He led them to the entrance he used whenever he visited the young imperial; he was still his eyes and ears in the city, one of many anyway. Tiberius trusted him to tell the truth about people. And now it was up to the women to tell the truth, and make sure a monster died. He hated putting Ovinia into this position. Or Pinaria. He hated they had to do this at all; he wished he would have let them kill the man when they had the chance. Instead, they were here. He nodded to Ovinia, his eyes saying more than any words. The next moment, he was alone in the hallway with Pinaria. "I am sorry you have to do this. Truly." he said after a pause. @Sara @Sarah @Atrice

Alexius was a good man. He was kind and brave, and most people who met him knew that. But Calpurnia wondered how many of them realized that it went deeper than that. That he really was one of the good ones. She smiled, and followed him, slipping out of sight. Tacita would be there when she returned, and no one else would look for her for a while. Everyone was either too enthralled in the games, or assuming she'd left because the gore was too much. She felt a flutter in her chest as she followed Alexius; they had not been alone since the library. "Does it feel different?" she asked as they walked. "Seeing the games from above like this?" @Atrice

The young woman had time, and she seemed kind enough to help. Felix placed the basket on the table. "I should introduce myself first... I'm Felix." he blinked, clearing his throat. "Aulus Calpurnius Felix. Felix is fine." If it had not been obvious before that he was a freedman, it was not. He doubted he would ever get used to the full name. Aulus Calpurnius was the dominus' name, not his. He gave the young woman an apologetic smile, waiting for her to introduce herself too. @Atrice

Calpurnia smiled softly at Alexius' heated words. She knew he meant it. He was protective of her, even though she was far out of his reach. "I believe you." she nodded; she wanted to reach out to him, but her hand stopped halfway. "But at least it seems tonight Rome is safer... at least by one monster. But you friends, the ones he hurt... they will still need you." Calpurnia had her own moments of grief and loss in her life. She knew that closure was rarely ever neat or complete. And watching the man die would not wash the memories away. @Atrice

Azarion watched. He watched all of it. It was far away, but he could still see clearly what was happening. The arena shook with the roar of the large cats, and then the roar of the people as the criminal went down in a spray of blood. Azarion's nails dug into his palms, but he didn't notice the pain. Die. Suffer. Die. There was movement, and a girl sat down next to him, wedging herself into the small space between Azarion and whoever was on the other side. She was skinny; she fit. Azarion didn't pay much attention. Barbatius was dead. He had died too quickly. Azarion frowned. But at least it looked painful. The cats were devouring him. His soul would be damned for eternity. Azarion spat at his feet. "Are...you alright?" Azarion blinked; it took a moment to register she was speaking to him. He looked at the girl, and nodded. Why wouldn't he be? Oh. He looked down at his hands, unfolding his fingers. There were red crescents in his palms. @Sarah @Sara @Atrice @Sains @Sharpie

Theodorus was still not fond of the arena - the public executions even less so than the games. There was no skill or performance in those, just scared people and gore. But if anyone in the history of Rome ever deserved to die this way, it was that man down there. For hurting so many others. Theodorus had not been among them, but he cared for (and treated) many who were, and he had no love lost for the killer. Today, he was here to bear witness. And to support Didia, who - as advertised - had thrown up the moment blood was spilled. Theo pulled her hair back and patted her on the back just like Alexius, after the ex-gladiator left. "It's over. He's very dead. Don't look up though." he suggested. "Would you like to leave?" @Sara @Sharpie @Atrice @Sarah @Sains

Despite her thoughts still racing from what they had just witnessed, Calpurnia gave Alexius a small smile. "I thought you might come here." she admitted. She'd hoped he would. They had not had much time to meet in the past weeks, and all of those had been stolen moments. Every time she saw him, she wished it could be more. She sighed. "That was... horrific. As he deserved, as far as I understand." @Atrice

April, 77AD (after Cerealia) It had been a year and a half. It felt like a lifetime ago. There were wild flowers growing around the small stele now, the fresh colors of the second spring without Safinia. Azarion's eyes traced the letters carved into the stone: To the Shades of the Underworld In memory of Lucia Safinia, of the White chariot faction 17 years old loyal and hard-working M Eppius Parthenicus and her friends of the White faction set this up May the one who sent her to you never find rest It was early evening now; people were returning to the city, and merchants with carts waited to be allowed in. But on this side of the road, in the shade of the pine trees, it was quiet. Azarion placed his small gifts on the grave: honey and milk, and a small horse carved from wood. And an apple. A mix of worlds that he was living in now. Pulling a small knife, he sliced his arm, close to where the man had wounded him. Blood dripped onto the ground. The Romans claimed that pleased souls. It was usually animal blood, but his should be better, right? Azarion couldn't see anything, and he couldn't speak either. He just had to hope Safinia still heard him. It is done. He died a horrible death. You can rest now. I will remember you. I promise.

April 77AD (right after Cerealia) It was done. Justice had been served, in the bloodiest way possible - just like the Romans liked it. Calpurnia had no pity lost for that man, but she was not fond of the gore and blood that went with the execution. She felt the responsibility to witness it; especially after what Alexius had told her about how dangerous that man had been. But once the actual games started, she found the time to slip away from her seat. Tacita dutifully followed, but at the exit into the galleries of the Amphitheater she told the girl she could stay back and wait. She moved to the large arches overlooking the Esquiline, wondering if Alexius had seen her leave. She knew he had been looking at her. Everyone else seemed too absorbed in the games that had just started. @Atrice

It had been a few weeks now since Felix got his freedom, and he was still not sure what to do with it. It was like walking through a dream. The dominus, obviously, did not kick him out of the household - but after being a household slave, and then a body slave for decades, he now had to find out who he was as a free man. And it took a lot of thinking. Felix got to work with the kind of meticulous patience he always had. In order to keep himself busy in his new lack of tasks, he returned to the kitchens where his mother used to work (and still worked sometimes). He'd always liked the smell of spices and sweets, and he knew enough to help out. And then one day, he had an idea. Well, sort of an idea. He'd been to the thermopolia before, but only a handful of times. Still, the family that ran it seemed like good people. The sort of people who would offer help. That's why he chose to walk in this day, with a basket on his arm. Looking around, he saw there were no guests, but the place was filled with the scent of stew, and a young woman rose to greet him. "Welcome, what are you looking for today? Stew, I hope. Please, take a seat and let me know." "Well, I am... actually looking for some advice." Felix admitted a little sheepishly. "But I don't expect it for free. If you have the time." he added, more quickly. @Atrice

Lucius took a seat along with Alexius and the other people from the insula. They all seemed equally eager to see Barbatius die. He was too. The man had hurt Ovinia, and hurt and killed many others. He deserved to die. The spectators seemed to agree, stomping their feet to anger the beasts that were already ravenous. Lucius turned his head, looking over to where Ovinia was sitting. She looked pale; trying to hold herself up. He knew this had to be horrible for her, and he wished he could be there to hold her hand. He hated that he couldn't. He hoped she'd look his way, so at least he could let her know he was here. The damn man needed to die fast and bloody, so they could all be done with this nightmare. @Sharpie @Atrice @Sarah @Sara @Sains

The lions had been a mistake. Even Azarion knew that, and he had never seen a lion up close and personal. They were large felines, excellent at hunting. Unless the man fought back, the lion would just snap his throat. Too easy. Too quick. Azarion sat at the top of the seats with the other slaves, his hands curled into fists so tight his knuckles whitened. He wanted to watch the man suffer. And die in pain. He hated being this far away from the arena, watching helplessly and hoping the lion did a shit job. He could see the other people involed in this mess, pretending they didn't know each other - Alexius and the rest of the plebes on one side, the women in the senatorial seats - with Jason. His cousin was too far to exchange glances with. Azarion felt alone with his anger. @Atrice @Sarah @Sara @Sharpie @Sains

The woman who walked in was... young. Younger than Metella had expected. But she seemed to know what she was doing, and she had a nice presence. "Hello. My name is Melia." "Metella" she nodded. "Your master sent for me, to help you tonight. Is this your first child?" Master better know what he was buying. "Yes" Metella breathed. "First time on this end of the business. So far, I am not very enthusiastic about it." She shifted uncomfortably; she was between pains now, but she had no illusions about how much worse this was going to get. @Liv

"No. Not often." she admitted, watching him drink. She knew he was playing with her, but she wondered why. Did he have a death wish, or did he believe she would free him if she thought he was nice? "I am assuming you are used to other kinds of visitors?" She knew many women (and men) in Rome admired gladiators, or even believed that they had some kind of... supernatural allure. She was not one of those people, but she did find it curious. @Atrice

September, 77 AD This morning, Metella had thought she had an upset stomach. The baby had made it uncomfortable to... do most things, really, as the day of birth drew nearer, so she didn't pay much attention to the small waves of discomfort that came and went. But by noon, she had to stop and frown occasionally, rubbing her belly as she went about her business in the household. It only dawned on her in the late afternoon that there might be something more to what was happening. She took a break and sat in the gardens, finally paying attention. The cramps were recognizable now, coming and going. Metella knew enough to know what his meant. She was done with the household chores. The midwife was sent for in the evening, and Metella had retreated into the slightly larger room she had occupied with Attis since their marriage. The midwife had been carefully selected, with good recommendations - not for her social standing, but for her actual work. Metella was sitting on the bed when she arrived, trying to take slow, calming breaths. @Liv (and @Sharpie)

"Definitely not here." Metella chuckled, reaching for Attis' hand and placing it on her belly. It had become their little ritual, whenever the baby was fussing around. "I am not wealthy enough to give birth in a temple." Not even the consul's wife could really get away with it. "But soon." she squeezed his hand. It was only a matter of days now. She knew he was excited and worried. She was too. "Come on, husband. Let's go home." @Sharpie

She did like him. A lot, apparently, and not just because he was a nice piece of man to look at. From what Aia gathered, he had been a patrician before he was a vigile. Which was, indeed, curious. But it also meant Ovinia would not marry him. Poor girl. "Better make some good memories, then, huh" she noted with a soft smile. "I'm sorry, though. That, you know. You can't be together." @Sara

Lexus looked... well, he looked like he had just been in a fight, dirt, blood, sweat and all. From the seats in the arena, it seemed like a performance... up close, she was reminded it was real. He had faced actual death, and won. And now, he was flirting with a Vestal. Calpurnia carefully kept a straight face. "They didn't give you a drink?" she tilted her head, looking at the small cell. For someone whose name was being yelled by thousands of people, this place was... dire. Calpurnia waved a hand to the slave, who was carrying a basket of food and drink for her (no one went to the games without some food and drinks). She held it up to the bars. "There." @Atrice

"I guess so. Doesn't feel much different, does it?" "It does feel different" she noted, leaning up to kiss him briefly. They were married; the game of flirting they had been playing for years was done now. She would miss it, a little. But there was a whole new kind of relationship ahead. "I like it." "Let's go - you look as if you need to sit down." "I do" she groaned; they walked out of the temple, but by the time she made it down the steps she decided she needed to sit. She lowered herself down onto the bottom step, huffing. "This child needs to come out soon..." @Sharpie

The gladiator lived. Many wanted to see him die, thirsty for more blood on the sand, but the decision had been made, with the help of the Vestals. Vestals rarely voted for death; blood thirst was beneath them. She watched Lexus walk away from the fight, with a mix of celebration and discontent from the spectators. The Roman crowd was a fickle thing. As the fights continued, Calpurnia nodded to the novice and the slave that accompanied her, and left her seat. She made her way down to the ground hallways of the amphitheater, and asked to be led to see the fighters. No one argued. While it was somewhat unusual for a Vestal to venture here, her position as someone who had the power to advocate for slaves allowed her to walk among them. She was led to the cell where Lexus was resting and stood at the entrance, watching him through the bars of the door. "That was an impressive fight." @Atrice

Metella chuckled a little at Attis' words, but she was touched. This was it. She never imagined she would be married (formally or informally, although standing in front of the gods was as formal as it got). And now she was. And to be a mother soon. She turned to look at Attis with a smile. "Well... I guess we are married." @Sharpie

Calpurnia was not well versed in the games, but she could tell that Lexus was good. Very good, at what he was doing. The fight was drawn out enough to be exciting, but in the end he came out on top. The crowd roared his name. It was the moment where the decision was to be made: should the defeated gladiator live or die? While Calpurnia was impressed with the skill Lexus had shown, she was not particularly fond of killing. The Vestals raised their hands to signail their opinion; Calpurnia held up her thumb. He should live. @Atrice

Metella stayed on her feet; she really wanted to sit, but at least she did not have to kneel down. Resting her hand on her belly, she watched as Attis places their offerings on the altar. She took off her wreath of flowers, and placed it there too. "Um. I don't think there's any real sort of ceremony for becoming contubernales - you just say you are, and act like you are, and you are." "Well, we shall say it then." Metella, ever the practical person, decided. "I don't pray all that much... We've come to ask your blessing on - us," Metella reached out to hold Attis' hand. She looked up at the statues; at least they did not look threatening. Kind, even. "We declare that we are husband and wife, with your blessing" she stated, squeezing Attis' hand. "And we ask for your... benevolence, and your blessing on our child. Please accept out offerings kindly." @Sharpie

"Happily married. It sounds nice." Metella smiled, walking slowly up the steps of the temple. It looked friendly, and the couple of gods, standing jovially next to each other, did not seem very threatening either. There was no one else in the temple, apart from a plump priestess and an elderly priest shuffling around. They acknowledged the visitors with nods, and let them walk up to the alter placed in front of the gods. "I don't really know how to do this" Metella admitted; meaning the wedding, the marriage, and the whole ceremony in general. "Am I supposed to kneel?" @Sharpie

"She's not my friend." Metella pointed out. She had no illusions about a patrician woman befriending a slave. "And I don't think she is inclined to return to Juno's temple for a while either... Although I hear her husband might be donating money to them or something?" The gods could always be consoled by generous donations. Or the priestesses, anyway. "So let's hope your Pomona and Vertumnus do their level best..." @Sharpie