Chevi

After two full months, it still did not seem real. Every time Lucius walked up to the building and slipped inside from the alley, he always fully expected to find it empty. Even more so, he expected to find out that it had all been a dream, and he'd never had Oivina there to begin with. Was he deluding himself? Anyone sane would have told him he was. He was an idiot, as his brother (and Titus, among others) often reminded him. And then he walked in and there she was. They made time to meet whenever they could, but the meetings were still fewer than he would have liked. Then again, he would have liked to marry her and move into a house with her. Anything less... was still incredible. He would take what he could get. His face lit up in a smile as he saw her, spread out on the couch and fanning herself. "I beseech thee, O queen,—a goddess art thou, or art thou mortal?" yes, his Greek was rusty, but the Odyssey was very quotable nonetheless. And she did look like a goddess.

"Silanus!" Despite how tired he was, Lucius' face lit up at the sight of his friend. They had seen each other only rarely since he joined the vigiles, but he still had a soft spot for the young patrician. He moved to clasp his arm in greeting but hesitated. "Forgive me for the grime. It's... been a day." He chuckled, nodding at the men who held the capitve on his feet. "Got one for you. Got rowdy, tried to rob a brothel, stabbed a guard. Standard workday evening." @Atrice

Metella wrapped her daughter in her arms. She was a tiny miracle, and every time she held her, she felt a flood of love. She was perfect, red wisps of hair and all (even though she'd wrecked Metella's body on the way out). And she deserved everything good. Especially freedom. "We didn't want to ask" she noted, seeing that Attis was not doing great with the explanation, although he was telling the truth. "Because asking for freedom is one thing... but we didn't want to assume everything that comes with it." The allowance, the patronage. Luckily, Longinus offered by his own free will. It was better that way. "You are more than generous." @Sharpie @Sara

September, 77CE The man smelled like a cheap brothel. Which was fitting, since that's exactly where Lucius and his men had gotten him from. The vigiles were on their usual patrol when a fight broke out, instigated by an extremely drunk moron who, on top of being rowdy and refusing to pay, also tried to make a break for it with some of the money paid by others. The heavy lifting had been done by the brothel's own guard, but the culprit did manage to stab him before he was subdued. Lucius and the vigiles, once they got control of the situation, tied up the perpetrator and carted him off to the prison. Just another day in the glorious life of Rome. Once they arrived (with the prisoner still bleeding from the nose), Lucius walked ahead to report to whoever was on duty that they had a newcomer for them. It wasn't terribly late at night yet, at least. Some idiots just started their drinking early. @Atrice

Metella stared, incredulous. Not only had Longinus given their daughter freedom, he was also going to give her money and support as a free woman... and he had planned this. She shook her head. Attis was equally dumbstruck. "We are grateful" she nodded. It was... a lot to take in. But Longinus seemed very pleased with himself. He would also free her and Attis when he died... whenever that would be. She would, eventually, be a free woman. Like when she was born. Yeah, it was a lot. The baby now named Cassia Beata made some fussing sounds, and Metella reached out to take her.

Azarion grinned as Vibia walked over, momentarily abandoning her senator. He had no illusions about her plans for the night. But she had helped him hook his first sponsor, once upon a time, and the infamous grape story was still making the rounds, so the two of them had some sort of a business connection. She was one of the few people that didn't immediately make him roll his eyes. "Ah, isn't it the famous charioteer and champion grape tosser. I'm glad you came. I wondered if... Your dominus would bring you. Nice braids." Azarion smirked, gesturing with his fingers, twisting them around. He'd finally learned how to do the braids himself. How was that for a backup skill?... He made a slight nod towards Marcus. If she wanted to talk to the boss, he was the one.

It had been half a year since Barbatius' death in the arena. Azarion felt... lighter. As if a dark cloud had disappeared from his life, allowing him to move on. With it, his star as a charioteer seemed to be on the rise. He won some races, and did well in others; he had an ongoing rivalry with one of the damned Reds, but at least such rivalries were good for catching people's interest. Azarion was getting better at what he was doing. And he enjoyed being good at chariot races. Damn good. He also changed physically, in the years since he'd joined the whites. The strict training regimen of charioteers made him stronger, even if he had not gotten much taller. He was almost twenty now; back home, he would have been a full fledged warrior. Marcus even allowed him to grow out his hair and braid it (to keep it out of his face, but also to remind himself of his Sarmatian heritage). Apparently, people liked charioteers who were easily recognized. So, tonight at this fancy party, he was dressed in the tunica of the Whites, but also had braids decorated with beads and some feathers; aware that he was a curiosity more than a guest. But hey, at least they had good wine. He stood to the side, leaning back against the wall, sipping wine, watching the crowd. He noticed the flash of familiar golden hair. Of course she was here. These people were rich enough to afford her. Azaron smirked, giving her a wave. @Sharpie @Sara

"Cassia Beata is a full citizen of Rome, and has my patronage should she wish it, when she's older." That's it. That was it. The thing she had decided not to use her one favor for, because Attis and she were not sure how two saves could raise a free child in Rome. Apparently, Longinus had no such concerns. And just like that, the little bundle became Cassia Beata. A free girl. Attis took the baby, and Metella was grateful because she felt like she might just faint. Longinus seemed sheepish, but fully aware what he had done. "What... does this mean?" @Sharpie @Sara

No, she wasn't really alright. But she nodded anyway. Hopefully this would be over soon. Longinus looked... excited, with a bright smile, and Cassia was smilarly bouncing on her feet. Metella placed the baby on the ground, wincing slightly; someone brought her a stool and she sat down gingerly. Attis should have been the one to pick up the baby; he was the father. But he was not free. Also, the whole picking up thing was stupid. Babies were not mushrooms. Dumb Roman customs. And then Longinus leaned down and picked the baby up. Metella gaped, glancing up at Attis. Everyone seemed shocked. Didn't that mean...? And then her daughter was almost named Noisy, and in the end named Beata. What on earth was even fucking happening?? Metella stared at Longinus, and the little bundle in his arms. "Wait does that...?" @Sharpie @Sara

Metella walked carefully alongside Attis; she wished she could lean on him, but her arms were cradling the baby. Their child. Her daughter. She was perfect, even though Metella had one shitshow of a time giving birth to her. She was still pale and worn, and walking was not a very fun activity. But eight days had passed, and customs existed for a reason. "I'm fine." she muttered, glancing at the baby, who was making little fussy sounds. "He better behave himself." If Longinus decided to be extra about this whole ceremony, Metella might just slap him. @Sharpie @Sara

"A raise of a third again what they're making... Hmm. Seventy-five denarii four times a year. Three hundred denarii a year." It wasn't much, even compared to everyday laborers around the city. It was on par with the legions... but the legions got you citizenship at least. And decent equipment. "I will ask a colleague to investigate the procurement of the rations, that is not in my purview, and I am sure the senate as a whole will be interested if their money isn't going where it ought to be. What about the other equipment?" "I'll leave it to you. The men not paying for their rations would also be helpful, if more money is not an option..." Lucius nodded. Gaius was tactful enough where he wasn't, and probably knew when to ask for more in order to receive the bare minimum after negotiations. And the rations really were not that great. "The equipment... We basically need more of everything." He smirked. It was not lost on him that he had come to complain to the one person who had warned him about this. "But also, on the long run, I'd love to talk to some engineers about the pumps and the carts we use, because neither seem to be designed for... most of the side streets of Rome." @Sharpie

She was a slave. Probably doing this without the knowledge of her owner. That made things more interesting. How did someone run a business like this while not having her freedom? Azarion found he was curious about her now. And then she switched to a dialect he understood. Dacian, probably. Azarion had been a child when he was taken from Sarmatia, but he understood enough. That meant, she probably knew the signs too. Some of them, anyway. "I have plenty of other customers, why should I sell to you two?" Because we are good customers, he gestured. "Perhaps you could apologise for your tone? And then we can do business." Azarion glanced at Tiranes. He didn't exactly have a tone to apologize for. But he also did not want to go fucking around the city until he found someone else who sold decent weed. @Sara @Sharpie

Of course she had not ridden one. She seemed wary of horses. Pagos looked at her calmly, trying to see if she had an apple too. "And I don't think I'd want to ride one. I'd be too scared it would take me far away and I'd get lost, or it would throw me off. I saw some nasty injuries at home from men who'd tried to ride other horses. Broken arms and legs and..." Azarion smirked and shook his head. Idiots. "Then again they were fools who'd tried to steal them from the Roman garrison, so maybe the Gods punished them for it." He grinned at that, shaking his head again and gesturing. Not my gods. The gods of the Sarmatians would bless anyone who fucked with the Romans. So she wasn't Roman either, as far as he could tell. He tilted his head with a questioning look, gesturing at her. Where are you from then? @Sara

"Oh, but the hope is not false. Hope is what people live on." Iophon pointed out, weaving in andout of the crowd to keep up with the man. "It's not weak, to enjoy things every once in a while. Some people have a drink. Some people have sex. Some people just want to listen to a story. There is no harm in it. And for the record, I don't always tell for money. I tell because I enjoy the stories. But I do have to make a living, and it's what I'm good at." He looked at the blonde man. "You didn't even tell me your name. What do you do, mysterious stranger?" @Sara

Tiranes knew Azarion enough that, even without the gestures he could understand the sarcasm. And give voice to it. Which was, in retrospect, probably a bad idea. "If you doubt it then leave. Or...actually, either way you can fuck off. I don't sell to arrogant, jumped up shits." Well, fuck. "I don't care if you're Sarmatian, Egyptian, Roman or anything else. Go to a different regio if you want to buy. If you've been smoking it since before my mother gave birth to me, you'll figure out where to get it. Or how to grow it yourself." Azarion glared at the woman. Seriously? If this was her business model, she was a shit businesswoman, even he could tell that much. And then as she waved them away... Azarion's eyes landed on something at the neck of her cloak. He smirked, gesturing at her. This new discovery made all the difference. Because she had a collar, just like Azarion. In fact, the more serious kind. The kind she could not take off. Jumped up? Looks who's talking. You are a slave like we are, lady. @Sharpie @Sara

Lucius smiled, shifting so he could lie down next to her again, folding her into his arms. It felt like their time was running out, but he was not letting go just yet. "That's something you can keep, then" he murmured, holding her close. Even if she couldn't have him, not the way they both wanted. Freedom did not extend that far. "And it makes me happy I gave you that. And you. Ovinia Camilla, you are cute, and you make me happy." @Sara

Lucius realized he'd been silent once he saw the question in her eyes. He reached up to cover her hand with his, and nodded. "Yeah. I'm alright, love." He pressed a kiss to her knuckles. "It's just... thank you. For saying that." He wasn't even sure what he'd expected her to say... but these words were everything. "I love you. And I want to make you feel like that. All the time. Always." @Sara

"Maybe I should have a little statuette commissioned of your likeness so I could keep it at home with me and I could ogle you all day." "Oh yeah I'm sure your father would love that." he grinned. Or her future husband. That went without saying. "I love you because you are attractive, obviously but you're a good person and you...have changed me. Or...no, not changed me...you've revealed things in me that I didn't know I had. I...thought I knew what I wanted and it wasn't until I met you that I realised I wasn't doing anything for myself. You have such a big heart...a good heart and...you gave it all to me and made me realise I deserve love and affection and...what I want." Lucius watched her, and felt a tightness in his throat. That was... the most honest she'd ever been with him. And also the kindest words she'd ever said. He watched her for long moments, feeling overwhelmed. @Sara

"You are being cute." Lucius conceded as she pulled the sheets up to cover herself. She seemed genuinely delighted by the idea. Proper Roman maiden... well, she was two of those three things. He grinned at her comment about his face and arms. "I'll take it. Who am I to complain if a proper Roman maiden finds me decorative?" @Sara

"Which one? The one in the crowd? The one against the wall? The one as we were leaving?" "Yes." he grinned a she shifted, sitting up against the headboard. He would never forget any of them. The one in the crowd being their very first. And the kisses against the wall that had haunted his dreasm for months. "I... I'm not sure anybody has ever described me as...cute." "Well, probably not many people have seen you when you are being cute." he pointed out. Definitely none in this particular position. "I don't have to tell you shit." Lucius rolled his eyes. "Don't you think it's a bit too late to play coy now?" He gestured between the two of them; her naked, and him almost naked. Having done what they had just done. @Sara

"You know that was the first proper kiss I ever had." "And it was quite amazing" he smiled, remembering it. For a first proper kiss, she had really made the most of it. He grinned as she looked up, pressing a kiss to her nose. He shifted so he could look down at her. "Yes. Darn cute. But now, you have to tell me why you like me. Your turn." @Sara

"I feel like you have asked me something like that before" Lucius murmured, holding her close. "Although... the exact words were I don't know why I want you." It felt like a lifetime ago, and it had barely been a few months. Saturnalia, the first time he'd kissed her. He'd never forget that day. "And I love you because... you are you. Deep down, when no one is looking, you are warm, and kind, and loving. And cute." he added with a chuckle. @Sara

"I am not interesting." "Oh, but you are. If you weren't, you'd think you are." Iophon knew people. "Don't you have more people to con? Sorry, more stories to tell?" "Storytelling is an art form, you now. Ever heard of Homer? Pindar?... Even Augustus used to summon storytellers when he could not sleep. People live on stories." Iophon pointed out as he kept pace with the blonde man. "You don't like them? Why?" @Sara

"Imagine somebody like me meeting a famous charioteer...The other girls won't believe it." Azarion was not sure if she meant it, or if she was joking. Obviously he was not famous, she should suspect that by now. Or maybe she didn't. She did seem a little... cheery. "So...you chariot race these two and ride that one? Are you allowed to take them out to ride when you want? Into th ecountryside?" Azarion snorted again and shook his head. Out to the countryside, indeed. He lifted his arm, showing her the FVG brand on it. No one was going to let him leave the city on a horse. He patted Pagos on the nose, offering him an apple. He gestured at her and the horse. Did you ever want to ride one? @Sara

"Oh don't be ridiculous, the villa I'd make you buy me would have a private cove, love." Lucius laughed at that. It was a warm laugh, happiness of the moment winning over things to come. "Three boys and two girls. And the girls would take after you - brave and charismatic but idealistic, and the boys would take after me - serious, cold and proud? Maybe we would have lived abroad - Hispania, or Achaea or somewhere else entirely." "Serious, cold, and proud?" Lucius echoed, grinning as he nipped at her shoulder. "Out there, maybe." When alone, Ovinia was actually a lot warmer than she liked people to believe. @Sara