Chevi

"Yep" Aia grinned. At least Ovinia was paying attention now. "Joined up after my father died and I was left to fend for myself. It helped that he raised me as a boy because that made easier to travel. And also that I was like fifteen at the time. I didn't go on the front lines, I was an inteprex... but I did see fighting. Even got captured once." She shrugged. "Decimus found out eventually when I got injured. He never told on me though. Poor guy is kind to a fault." She tilted her head, smiling at Ovinia. "Your turn." @Sara

"Alright, first off. There are only a few things in this city more fun than a perfect stranger's love life." Aia grinned, rolling onto her stomach to tick her point off on her fingers. "And second, you're talking to someone who served years in the legions as a man named Aius. I know this game." She held up her third finger. "But third, I don't really care. You can call yourself whatever you want, you know I'm not gonna tell on you. You really need a massage. Your shoulders look very tense." @Sara

Now it was Aia's turn to roll her eyes. Children and their games. She'd never felt so old in her life. Then again, she'd never been a patrician either. "Fine. Alright, I'll play. So, is there, by any chance, theoretically, another very handsome, clearly devoted plebeian man in your life that you feel like talking about?" She chuckled. @Sara

"I suppose. Alexius is friends with most people though." "He really does get around." Aia snorted with a chuckle. Alexius was Alexius, and they all loved him that way. "Yes, as I said, he came to visit me to tell me and I apologised. The medicus stitched him up I said. He...understood. Like you did. I was not myself." But he is not my vigile. As I've said. I barely know him. He's an equite, so I hear. And I am not." Did no one teach Patrician girls how to lie properly? Like, not even I-am-a-man level lying, just... not being obvious? Aia gave Ovinia an amused look. "Girl. That man jumped in front of a knife for you. I'm not blind." @Sara

"You said you got your scars when you were an interprex. You met in the legions? Fell in love?" "We met in the legions. Didn't really fall in love properly until after." Aia returned the soft smile. It was still strange to think about, those years a lifetime ago. "Well...hopefully he can finish his term soon. So you can get some peace. And...I shall have to apologise to him, as well, for my outburst. Should we ever cross paths." "Oh I'm sure you will. Seems like we share friends" Aia pointed out. Alexius, among them. "Did you apologize to the guy you cut?" She asked, arching an eyebrow. Alright, so maybe she was feeling a bit challenging. "Your vigile?" @Sara

"He's the only thing in life I'm sure of" Aia said with a small smile. She trusted Decimus with everything she had. And she knew he'd make sure she was safe, whatever it took. "Oh? Is that why you voted for him to go to trial? Sorry...I'm not myself." The eye roll was a bit much, but Aia couldn't exactly fault the girl. She had almost a decade on her. She'd learn. "That's alright, you've had to put up with a lot of shit recently." Aia lay down at the edge of the pool, propping herself up on her elbow. "I voted with Decimus because I trust him. I love him, but more importantly, I fought with him." At this point, there was no need to play secrets. @Sara

Well, at least Ovinia was done pretending she was plebeian. Which was just as good, because she was really fooling exactly no one with her act. "He is not my vigile. But yes, he came to see me the morning after. So I could...apologise, I suppose for my outburst. But we can pray to the Gods that it is almost over. That justice will actually be done." "We can. We can also be assured that if someone high up fucks this trial over, Decimus and your vigile will personally quarter the fucker." Aia gave Ovinia a visious grin. She had been all for doing away with the guy, but she had been convinced by Decimus' better half enough to vote with him. "No apology needed on my part. I wouldn't have minded if you stabbed him." @Sara

Aia nodded. "He told me they need witnesses, to tie him to the Senator's murder, and to other cases... I'm going to be one, but it might not be enough. He said they'd need a patrician woman." Aia tactfully did not ask if Ovinia would be said patrician woman. Judging from how she behaved at the meeting, she probably hated the idea. "Did your vigile tell you?" @Sara

"Aia" she nodded with a smirk. The girl had introduced herself as Nia last time, but she knew now her name was Ovinia. Not that she'd mention it. It was none of her business, and the lady was jumpy anyway. "Yeah, I just... needed to get a bath, now that I'm healing" she shifted the edge of the towel to cover the stitched cut on her thigh. "Small city, I guess." @Sara

It had been a couple of days now since her injury, and Aia felt like she needed a bath. Her would was stitched and healed well, but it was still too recent to soak in warm water for long. Instead, she took a quick bath - which felt divine nonetheless, and then wrapped herself in a towel, dangling her legs in the pool and enjoying the warmth of the baths. It was relaxing. She didn't even notice Ovinia at first; but once her eyes wandered that way, she recognized the young woman at once. From the insula (where she almost killed the barber, and managed to stab her... vigile instead), and from the baths before, when she'd asked about her scar. Small word. Aia got up, padding over to Ovinia's side of the pool, and then settled down again on the edge. "Hello there" she said softly. They had not exactly parted on good terms the first time; but since then, it turned out they shared quite a few things, and at least one big secret. "Is everything alright?" @Sara

"Of course I remember" He smiled. He would hold her hand as long as they had time. Probably a few minutes more. He also wanted to hold her and kiss her, but they were way too exposed in the street for that. "There are a lot more things like that in the future" he promised her, using his free hand to tuck hair behind her ear. "I will find the festivals that make you happy." @Sara

"Calpurnia." She answered. He leaned closed, but she held her ground; she was not the kind of woman to shy away from men. As a Vestal, she did not use her full family name. Not with strangers, anyway. The girl returned, carrying some fresh linen kerchiefs that were used for washing. Calpurnia took them, and offered them up to Lexus. "Seems like it might take some time for the road to be freed" she noted, craning her neck towards where the crowd was gathering up. "Use these. For your wounds." @Atrice

"Can we go somewhere? After I speak with Tiberius or...another day. Can we find somewhere, a garden or a festival or... Somewhere." "We will. Yes." Lucius nodded, holding her hand. He wanted nothing more. Their stolen moment in the library was still vivid in his mind. "I miss you. Even when you are a fool. And you can make it up to me with a trip somewhere." "I will do my best" he smiled softly at her, lifting her hand to kiss her knuckles. "I will... find a festival, or... a garden, or a temple, or something. Where we can be alone." @Sara

I need you. Lucius' look softened, and he gave her a small smile, reaching for her hand again. The weight on his chest lightened, just a little. He knew he was fooling himself about many things; about any hope the two of them might have, or that she would feel things for him, other than the need for someone to be there for her when she was lost and scared. But he didn't care. "I am afraid that ship has sailed a long time ago" he sighed. "But I don't really care. I'm here as long... as you need me." @Sara

He frowned as she brought up his adoption as a mistake. He was still not sure it had been. Yes, it messed things up, and it forever divided him from her... that part, he regretted. But not the choosing of his own path. "You will be fine." he nodded. He'd do everything he could to make it so. "He will be gone soon. One way or another." Dead, hopefully tortured, and burned to ash. And then... they could move on. Whatever she meant by that. His heart sank again. "Do you... want me to... find someone else to help you?" @Sara

I blame you. That hurt more than the knife she cut him with. His look probably said as much, but she was not looking at him. Lucius felt, with a sinking feeling in his stomach, that she was slipping away from him. "And the Praetorian, and Jason and the others who voted to ignore what we were saying. But if you take responsibility for that, if you understand how much it has hurt me and you are sorry... I don't want you to think I hate you." "I thought I was doing the right thing. I know that's not an excuse" he said quietly. Part of him wanted to beg her. "But I do know I hurt you. And I'm sorry." @Sara

Lucius winced at her anger. It was justified, but that it did not make him feel any less guilty about what she was going through. If he had known Tiberius was a friend of hers... friend, in a way, maybe he would have made a different decision. Maybe Ovinia was not thinking all that differently from her father. "Tiberius is a good man. And a kind man. He won't judge you for any of this." Lucius was sure of that. He didn't know much, but he was good at knowing people. And Tiberius was honorable. "I know this... all of this is wrong. And a lot of it is my fault, and I'm sorry. But I'm here. I just... I'm here for you." @Sara

"Pinaria should not do it in my stead. We...said we were here for one another. Perhaps we can do it together. Perhaps the words of both of us will be enough." Lucius held her hand as they sat down. It felt like centuries ago, that other day during Saturnalia. "I will talk to Pinaria" he nodded. Maybe if the two of them went together, they would feel safer. "If Tiberius chooses to tell somebody...if one of his slaves overhears and spreads it around the city, do you know what will happen to me? It doesn't matter that he didn't rape me, I-I told you, my father told you that nobody will believe that. A-and who would marry me then? Why didn't you listen to me?" I would. I would marry you. "You know why." Lucius said quietly. It had been an impossible choice, but that didn't mean he chose wrong. There were other victims out there who needed to know they were safe now. "Tiberius knows what is at stake. More than most people, I promise. He will make sure to keep your secret." He squeezed his hand. "I know this is... more daunting than anything I've had to face. I can't imagine what it feels like. And I really am sorry." @Sara

"I know. I know you didn't mean to." He gave her a small smile. "Didn't meant to hurt me, anyway." She most definitely wanted to hurt the other man. And while he still knew he'd made the right decision at the time, now he was not sure it was the right decision for her. She looked at him, desperate, and all he could do was reach for her hand. "I'm so sorry. We tried. We told Tiberius what a woman would be risking if she came forward... but he needs enough to execute him, otherwise he'll... or his brother, will be accused of being a tyrant. I'm sorry. I know it shouldn't be you. I'll talk to Pinaria too..." @Sara

She moved forward until she was holding him, and Lucius wrapped his arms around her. It was dangerous, out here in the open, but for a moment he didn't care. He could feel how tense her body was, how she was shaking as she held on to him. "Shhh" he muttered, stroking her hair. "I know. I know." The anger, and the guilt, and the fear, and probably a dozen other things she was feeling. He blinked as she turned her attention to his bandages. "It'll be fine. Theo stitched it up." @Sara

The slave girl appeared first, telling him to wait. He nodded. He knew he could trust Lucia. And he was going to wait as long as he needed. Minutes, maybe hours ticked by, until the slave entrance opened again, and he saw Ovinia moving hesitantly closer to him. She gave him a look that was... distressed. "I'm sorry" he said quietly, stepping back so she could walk closer to the shade. "I'm really sorry..." @Sara

Five days. Lucius opened his mouth but then closed it. Ovinia needed to fight that fight. At least she had a good excuse to go see Tiberius... although the mention of gifts made him feel uncomfortable. Was Tiberius sending gifts to Ovinia...? Camillus probably liked that better that Lucius being around. Was that why he hated the idea of her being a witness so much? Worry that Tiberius would find out something about her that would ruin... whatever was going on? There was a world where Ovinia married Tiberius. Lucius hated that idea. "As you wish, domine. I will talk to Tiberius." he nodded. He caught Ovinia's eyes one last time, and noticed her glance towards the slave door at the back of the house. Where they had met, after the fire during Saturnalia. He couldn't nod to her, but he tied to give her a look to let her know he understood. Lucius said his polite goodbyes and left. He walked away from the domus, and the circled back around the next corner, lingering at the alley by the slave door, in the cover of the overhanging bushes across from the steps. Would Ovinia really show, or did he just imagine the look?... He'd have to wait and see. @Sara

"You misunderstand me. Perhaps this is a deed better done before Ovinia risks her standing in this Empire because you have not done your job as asked. But I leave that to your judgement. I trust I will not regret it." "I have done my job." Lucius said quietly. "I am sorry I could not also do you a favor, domine. But I think as long as the vigiles are not running around making their own judgment of people... we are all safer in this city." It was simply stated, but it carried weight. The last time the vigiles decided to take matters into their own hands... no one wanted that again. Camillus stepped back, and the tense moment was broken, although Lucius could see the barely contained fury in his eyes. "I will do my best, domine." He added, speaking louder so the others could hear too. "When would Tiberius speak with me? I am not prepared t-" "Not now. Give the girl some time to compose herself and think on what I've said, yes?" "Is there anything else we should know?" "You have some time, domina." Lucius told Ovinia, and his look softened as he turned to her. "But the sooner the better... for everyone's sake. I shouldn't be telling you this... but Tibeius will do the right thing. He just needs enough help to do it properly." @Sara

"So I risk losing everything, because they are not enough." Lucius bit his cheek, holding his ground as the father finally looked away from him. He wanted to be alone with Ovinia. To hold her and tell her things will be alright. To tell her she was brave. And she might have been right. But he couldn't, and it hurt. "You distress my daughter. And I promise that I blame nobody but you, Vigile Roscianus for the mess you have created for my family. And I promise you: I shall not forget it." "Understood." Lucius was not an idiot. He knew Camillus already hated him, even if he didn't know about... him and Ovinia. And he ever found out, it would be Lucius who ended up in the bottom of the Tiber. "I would have you seek assurance from Tiberius that this matter goes no further than his walls. And compensation. For injuries done for my daughters testimony." That one made Lucius' eyes darken. He almost forgot what kind of a man he was dealing with, for a moment. Camillus did not care about Ovinia. He cared about his own standing, and what he might gain through her. "Of course, we need not necessarily go that far. I judged a case recently, in fact, of a collegia member. Slaughted another man awaiting trial in the Tullianum. Perhaps that is something you should look into, Vigile Rosicanus." "That I can promise. The man will not walk free." He said simply. If Tiberius did not keep his word, or something went wrong, Lucius would personally make sure the killer died before he was freed. He had enough volunteers to help. "I shall convey your... worries to Tiberius, domine." @Sara

"What did you just say, boy?" Lucius grit his teeth and stood his ground, holding the father's gaze as he tried to tower over him. He hated this, all of this, he hated what Ovinia was feeling. But it was the truth, the way Tiberius laid it out. "We ask you to handle this discretely. Then you tell me the man is imprisoned and you expect my daughter. My unmarried daughter, recount the sordid details of her violation to Caesar's brother?" "That is what he said it would take to condemn him." Lucius nodded tensely. "T-there are no other witnesses? Nobody?" "There are. But they are either slaves, or plebeian women." Lucius admitted. He knew she knew this. He could tell she was distressed. @Sara @Sarah