Chevi

Why not?... Why not? That was not an explanation. Or even an answer. Felix was still as lost as ever, although his mind was slowly catching up. Was this a scheme?... No, Alexius had no reason to distract him. They had already settled the fight. But then... what? Did he really just... find Felix attractive? In the middle of all this mess?... Alexius was attractive. In a strange, magnetic sort of way, and it was beginning to dawn on Felix that he was maybe telling the truth about his conquests being completely voluntary. But still, he was struggling to fit that into their current situation. "...How?" @Atrice

Apparently, there was a whole lot one needed to know about keeping foxes. Thessala arched an eyebrow as Bestia gave her the details, while sorting through the cages. She had not left the ludus that morning preparing to buy two live foxes and keep them. And yet, here she was. How did that happen? And what on earth was she going to do with the damn creatures?... "If you could get the door, I will toss them in. They may try to dart away, so be quick. The vixen's the faster one, but the todd's not as tired as she." Thessala stood at the ready over the cages. The last thing she wanted was to fight a fox. Without an audience. At least her reflexes were great. "Ready." @Kah

Rufus came over to read the same words. Azarion felt heat in his cheeks. From embarrassment. And anger. Yet another person talking about taking a fancy to him, probably for a joke, and then... "Ah, shit. They're full of crap, these people. They don't bloody think, that's what." Oh, they did think. They did think a whole lot. And apparently the rumors had already gone around Rome about Azarion's silence, and the reason for it. "They can't think of anything except sex. Which probably means the last time they got laid was oh, during the Civil War. They ought to find something better to do with their time, really!" Azarion frowned, and turned away from the wall. He was nineteen years old now, but he really had no experience on the front of... whatever men used their tongue for. It was just never something that really seemed like a part of his life. He was, after all, not exactly a catch. But still, people writing that on the wall, that hit something that stung. Azarion shrugged at Rufus' words, gesturing at himself. He had not gotten laid since the Civil War either, whenever that was. Whatever. @Sharpie

Marcus knew what stirrups were, and knew how useful they could be. "Yes, I daresay you can ride faster with them. You'll throw the entire city into an uproar over this outlandish idea and the next thing you know they'll equip all their cavalry soldiers with them." Azarion scoffed. The Romans had been watching the Sarmatians across the border for decades; they fought them captured them, even recruited them into their cavalry, but they never bothered to learn the stirrups from them. They were not about to start now. Unless it was for races. But then at least it would be a challenge. "At least you're not going to give them a demonstration of just how effective they can be for an archer" Oh, he wished. Azarion's eyes probably spoke volumes. He wasn't sure if Marcus had heard about his little stint at the ludus. But he missed archery... "oh yes, I know that much about your people. I hope you won't be too disappointed if they decide to disqualify you due to having an unfair advantage." Azarion shrugged. He just wanted to ride, and make the Romans watch him win. If they disqualified him after, they would have already seen it anyway. He looked up at Marcus, arching an eyebrow in question. They shared some simpler hand signs now, since their first meeting with Tiranes. Marcus was a quick learner. Do you punish me? Would he, if Azarion participated in the race? @Sharpie

Bestia stood up for the vigiles, which was a surprising turn. Most people who were outside the usual norms of society, and especially the women, usually had no love lost for those men. Musing about this, they made their way to the ludus, with dizzy foxes still bundled up. Those needed to be put in a cage before any drinks could be had. "Could we ask a bestiary? Or are all their cages the big ones, for the tigers and elephants and lions?" "We don't have those here." Thessala shook her head. Those beasts were too large to be kept at the ludus. "But we do have some smaller ones..." Thessala walked across the inner courtyard, where some of the gladiators were training, and many of them were throwing glances at Bestia. They were used to Thessala being odd, but not her guests. At the back of the courtyard, in a smaller space used for open air storage, some empty crates and cages were stacked up. Probably for smaller animals for the kitchen or sacrifices. "Would one of these work?..." @Kah

"No animals? Really? I should've guessed by the lack of claw marks. But gladiators count. Man is an animal too, though one the gods found amusing enough that they gave him fire and a penchant for argument." "You are way too eloquent for a forest creature." Thessala noted, quirking an eyebrow. The woman was an enigma. She liked that. Most people weren't, even if they tried to be. Even if they tried to spice up their lives with a gladiatrix. "So. who's your favourite catch so far? Anyone juicy, or are you the kind not to kiss and tell? I promise I won't say a word. Even if I did, no one would believe me! The vigiles have told me such." Thessala returned the conspiratory tone and mischievous look. "First off, the vigiles are morons. Second, I'd tell you, but I honestly don't remember their names..." Only one, but she had not been a patron. Thessala looked away, walking along untilt hey made it to the gates of the ludus. "Alright, first, let's find a cage for those foxes. There bound to be some around the back..." @Kah

"Far away. Very far away. Somewhere in the countryside that no one in the Urbs would know. If you wanted me to be more specific, you'd have to throw a stone at a map of all the woods, and hope you'd hit where I sprang from." Thessala chuckled. And she had thought her own small Thracian village had been a meager birthplace to hail from... Bestia did look the part. The part of a half-feral woman who had come straight in from the forests beyond the mountains. Probably without stopping. To bathe. If she wasn't too cynical, Thessala would have half believed that she was some kind of a forest deity. Not quite a dainty nymph. "I suppose I could deal in other things as well. but Roma has...what, three major brothels? Four? And several independents who probably make a name for themselves. I'm not good at that kind of work, anyway, and people object to how rarely I bathe." "Are you sure you're not a faun?" Thessala ventured with a grin. She looked the part. "I hear you, I was never really attracted to that life either... although now I sometimes go with wealthy patrons. If they catch my fancy. The arena, though... that is what I do best. Never fought any animals, though. Unless you count some of the gladiators." @Kah

"Calpurnia... may I call you that? It is an honor to know your name... since I can already say it's been nice meeting you, after what you've done for me." "Nice to meet you too, Alexius, however unusual the circumstances" Calpurnia replied. The man had manners, that was clear. Many patricians of her standing assumed that the people of Rome were somehow lesser than them, but Calpurnia did not subscribe to that mentality. "I work as a guard at a warehouse, and sometimes also as a bodyguard. It's what I do best." That made sense. The man was built like a guard. Everyone had their talents... "What about you, what do you do, when you're not shopping for new fabrics?" So, he didn't know. He might have recognized the consul's name, but not her own. Still it was fun, him asking what she did, as if Roman matrons generally had... jobs. Calpurnia glanced his way, not wanting to miss his reaction to her reply. "Well, until last year, I was a Vestal." @Atrice

"Dirty-minded buggers, Romans. I think if you removed the word 'fuck' from the language, the walls would suddenly look a lot cleaner." Azarion chuckled at the suggestion. It seemed true. Romans, indeed, were very liberals about broadcasting their thoughts and desires about sex. "I wonder who Cynane is, and why they think she's got four cocks. That sounds horribly uncomfortable. Unless she keeps them as trophies or something." Azarion grinned. He knew exactly who Cynane was, and he was pretty sure she did not have four cocks. Unless, granted, she was keeping them as trophies, which was a possibility. She was a warrior, after all. His eyes wandered again. Some notes were individual, while others seemed to be a running conversation. People liked to leave messages for each other, not minding that the whole city could listen in on the conversation... he noticed the word for the Whites. That was another one he had noted often. Tilting his head, Azarion tried to put the rest of the words together. I WANT TO SCREW THE WHITES' NEW CHARIOTEER He is too cute I hear he's got no tongue Not a bad trait in a man However men can use their tongue for good... Azarion's smile disappeared, giving way to a frozen look on his face. @Sharpie

Alexius quirked an eyebrow at him, as if it would have been obvious what he meant. Felix wondered... the whole encounter had been so surreal, this new development really just added to the feeling. "Well, you're a quite attractive guy... and if you think the same about me, I promise I'll make you feel very good." Well, that had taken a turn... Felix stared at Alexius, shocked. Not that he wasn't a handsome man... Felix didn't have a lot of experience with either men or women, but he did have some, and he knew he enjoyed those. But he had never, ever imagined getting an offer like this... in the middle of a fight. He was at a complete loss at what to say, or how to react. "...why?" @Atrice

"Alexius. Actually Lucius Antonius Alexius, but most just call me Alexius. It's what fits best." A freedman, most likely. Or a veteran. He had the look of someone who had lived an adventurous life, for sure. But he did not seem like a brute at all, despite his height and build. Calpurnia felt comfortable with them walking side by side, although their sheer looks got them more than a few lingering glances as they progressed. "And what do I call you, then?" "Calpurnia Praetextata" she replied. He could put together the rest. She shared a name with last year's consul, anyway, although it was less likely people would also remember her as one of the Vestals. Some would. "So what do you do, Alexius, when you are not chasing after thieves?" @Atrice

Thessala listened to the story of the wolf, amused. Bestia might not have fought the creature, but she did live up to her chosen name. Even if she had to flee in the end, she had an adventure to tell about, and it was more interesting than many others'. Now, Thessala was even more curious to learn what had brought the little woman to Rome. "It's winter, and the plants I gather aren't in season yet. Animals are part of my trade, but not as much the plants. No, you have to make a harder sell in winter, when Ceres's daughter has fled and taken all the flowers and weeds with her. People love novelty, and what's more novel than a pair of wild foxes?" "Indeed." Thessala chuckled. A pair of foxes would not hold someone over for the whole winter. But it made sense, that someone dealing in herbs and plants would need to sell something else when those were scarce. "I could try for bigger things, but no country lass could afford a lion, much less a lion cub. Bigger things than a fox might try to eat me alive. So, until Prosperina brings me a greener bounty, I will try my luck with creatures of lesser fortune." Thessala was absolutely sure that Bestia would fight a lion if she had the chance. "So... you deal in animals, and also herbs?" she summarized, keeping an eye on the wiggling foxes. "Where do you come from?" @Kah

Azarion stopped, looking at Marcus with hesitation. He had not really disclosed his plans to him before the race, so it would have been in the faction leader's power to tell him to turn around and go back to the stables. He noted the way Marcus looked at the stirrups and the rest of the harness. He was Parthian, so he probably had seen this before; at least he did not look terribly shocked. "How are you feeling?" Azarion blinked, then gestured in the direction of the race tracks. He wanted to take part in the race, and do it in his own way. He had not ridden a horse with a proper harness since he had been captured by the Romans. He missed it. He gestured at the horse, prancing and ready to go, then at the stirrups. I can ride faster. @Sharpie

Azarion made an exasperated sound as he failed to braid his own hair. Borena whinnied, and he rolled his eyes, and he only noticed the girl when she was already standing in front of him. Great job, Azarion. People are just walking in and out of the stables now. He blinked, looking up and looking her over. What on earth was she doing here?... "Are you in need of assistance?" He looked at her, and then realized he still had his hands in his hair. He looked up, and then at Borena, then back at her. Was she... offering to braid his hair? Or did she mean something else? She was holding something in her hand. Azarion let go of his hair for the time being, tangled locks falling into his eyes, and gestured at her hand with a quizzical look. Unfortunately, the leather tie was still in dangling from his mouth. Assistance how? @Liv

"If you're looking for lovers you'd be in high demand at the Venus, as I've said before." Lucius smirked and rolled his eyes at her. The vigiles were bad enough, without adding that to his future career. Although it was fun to imagine Gaius' face. Vibia shifted again and now she had both her legs in his lap. He rested his hand on her knee. "My own house? You mean my own brothel? Again, I'd need a rich patron for that. And one of the collegia to be fine with a newcomer setting up shop in their industry. Know anybody that might want to invest?" "I just burned those bridges" he shrugged. He was fresh out of rich friends. "What would you want to do? If you had your choice?" @Sara

"Oh! A gladiatrix! How marvelous! I haven't ever been to a fight, sadly. But I have seen your kind coming in and out of the Coliseum. How fierce you look after the battle is won! The dirt and blood, the scratches and the wounds! Sometimes I wonder how you keep standing when it looks like you've been through the gods' teeth." Thessala laughed at Bestia's excitement. People had lots of feelings about the games, and different opinions. It was nice to be appreciated, especially by someone hauling around two live foxes as jewelry. Thessala was sure that the little woman would hold her own in the arena as well, although she was probably not the kind willing to volunteer for such things. "Your lanista? I doubt I would have anything to offer a lanista. I could try catching a wolf, but that'd be it. Well, try again, at least - the last time I did, I just about had my hand ripped off. As it turns out, he-wolves have as much a temper as their bitches. And they say bears are terrifying...." Thessala's eyebrows rose. "You fought a wolf?" Maybe she was wrong. "Have you been fighting long?" "I... a few years." she nodded. "I was a house slave before, but I am enjoying this much more." She was still a slave, but now she had admirers. "How about you, Bestia? How did you end up selling foxes in the middle of Rome? There has to be a story there..." @Kah

"Oh I was picturing you as a respectable matron, sitting at home and weaving and stuff." Lucius grinned. Matrons didn't really weave anymore like in the olden days, they had slaves for that. But it was an amusing image. On the other hand, she had the option of being the lover of a less respectable Roman senator. "Do you imagine some well off women have harems of lovers at their beck and call?" "Do they?" "Slaves, maybe, that they've trained to be discrete, but I know Roman matrons and that is not in their wheelhouse. Even the most fun among them, and I've met the fun ones." "Well, too bad. I was sure some have lovers at least." He did not really want to think much about that. It was no use doing so. "What do you think I should do with my future, sweet Lucius?" "Oh, I wouldn't want to give you advice" he grinned, shaking his head. He was grateful for the change of topic. He drank some of the wine, and noted it was actually decent. "But I would imagine you'd run your own house, maybe?" @Sara

"A drink! How lovely an offer! Yes, of course, good lady. All business is best discussed over a good drink. It is the way of senators and others who run things." Thessala seriously doubted that this woman knew anything about how senators ran things, but in this case, she had to agree. Drinks were in order. With foxes bundled, the woman set out walking alongside her. Thessala asked for her name. It was as good a place to start as any. "A name...hm...well, to most, it's 'damn crazy woman' or 'dirt-bridled maniac'. I'm fine with either. But if we're going to do business - and business must be formal, as always - you may call me Bestia. Yours is the far prettier name, by any measure." "I know, I picked it that way." Thessala grinned. Her name was a reference to the terrifying witches of Thessaly, after all. And she doubted Bestia was the woman's birth name either. "But I do have dibs on 'damn crazy woman' around here too. Bestia... I like it. If you're not careful, the lanista's going to make you an offer." Realizing she'd made an assumption of being famous, she glanced over at the merry bundle of pelts. "I'm a gladiatrix." @Kah

"And then I came to Rome. I've not seen much of the city though. Just this region, really, and the markets. I hear there's some beautiful gardens though, and temples." Iophon looked at her, baffled, for a moment. To him, someone living in Rome and not knowing most of the city... was shocking. It took him a moment to remember that she was a slave, kept in a brothel. And when he realized that, he felt sorry for her. For a lot of things... but also for being in the center of a city of wonders, and not getting to see it. It probably showed on his face. "There are. Quite a few..." "My...my dominus, I'm sure, would want your business. To bring tourists here. I...I hope I...and this place haven't put you off?" "You? Never" he smiled, patting her hand. "This place... has seen better days. But I'll have to talk with your dominus about that. And maybe figure out what story to spin up to have nicer patrons come this way." @Sara

Lucius knew that sex workers, even the expensive and free ones like Vibia, did not spend their entire lives at the brothels. Their job hinged upon their youth and attractiveness, which meant that eventually they had to find... something else to do. Marriage was probably not a viable option for most, though. And honestly he could not picture Vibia married. "Why not? A man to take care of me, buy me pretty things...what's not to like about that?... Don't worry, don't worry, I'm not off to get married..." "Oh I'm not worried." Lucius grinned as she draped a leg over his. His hand under the table ran along her thigh over the fabric of her dress. "I was just trying to picture what that would look like." "Maybe the kept girlfriend of one though? In a nice little domus all to myself...plenty of room for visitors?" "Well, if you can catch yourself a rich enough man, that sounds ideal" he chuckled. "It wouldn't be the first case in Rome, I bet. For men, anyway..." Dammit, he wasn't even drinking yet. @Sara

"Me, good woman? I am hardly interesting. But I am open to persuasion." Oh, she was. Thessala was a curious person, especially when it came to people who did not fit neatly into one of the brackets of Roman society. Those were her people. She lived an unconventional life too, and she liked it that way. And yes, maybe she did see the potential in live foxes for adding to her witch image. "These are not beasts for the arena, but they do look lovely in a garden, truly. They are clever creatures that have a sense of humour. They will snatch things from travelers and run cackling all the way home. As they are wild-caught, they will be shy but fiery, and need time and bribing with food. It is best they are kept in an outdoor space, for unfortunately, foxes do stink." Was she describing the animals, or herself?... Thessala chuckled at the last comment. The vixen gave her a look that was nothing short of offended. By the end of the speech, Thessala made up her mind. The lanista was probably going to have a right fit about this, but she didn't really care. All roads did lead to Rome, and she was more than curious to know how the little woman and her foxes ended up here. "Alright then, come with me. I'll take your foxes, but first we are going to drink something." she nodded in the direction of the Amphitheater and the ludus. "I'm Thessala. What is your name?" @Kah

Thessala had to admit, the little woman had great salesmanship. Or showmanship? Either way, dirty and ragged as she was, she did not seem miserable at all, unlike many beggars on the streets of Rome. She had a bright grin. "Is that not the way of most beasts? Just look at the creatures they bring out for damnatio bestiae! The lion was not made to heel as the hound was, yet Rome still leashes them. The elephant was not meant to be ridden like a horse, yet Carthaginians saddle them. Even when we raise them ourselves in captivity, they still may turn wild and bear their fangs against us. Yet people still have them, and people endure!" She couldn't really ague with any of that. The foxes were having none of this, and Thessala felt a little sorry for them. The ludus menagerie was one thing, but no one really ever thought of fighting... foxes. They usually made appearances in the form of pelt, at best. They were mysterious, graceful little creatures. "Now, are you interested in the vixen? The todd? Perhaps both, in case you want them to rear cubs?" Thessala gave the woman a smirk. "I am interested in the seller. But I do believe those creatures have suffered enough for one day, so I might be persuaded." @Kah

Thessala was generally used to being the most spectacular looking person in and outside of the arena. Unless she was spending a day lounging around the ludus, she always made sure to project her image of being a fierce, dangerous, mystical, and slightly feral Greek witch. So, it was not every day that she encountered someone way more odd-looking than her. But the tiny woman wrapped in furs, peddling two live foxes and wearing one of them as a necklace definitely had her beat. Thessala stopped in her tracks at the sight, and stepped closer. The two of them standing face to face had to be an odd sight. Thessala was significantly taller than the other woman (and cleaner). She had her eyes lined and her long cascade of black hair twined with leather strips and shiny things, but hers was a carefully curated oddity. The little woman just seemed bat-shit crazy. Thessala respected that. "Those do not look domesticated." she noted, pointing a finger at the wriggling foxes. @Kah

"I'm not going to hit you again." Well, once again, they were at a stalemate. Felix sighed. If Alexius was not willing to put up a fight, then he would have to go home, and take the punishment from his dominus. Maybe that was more fair, than making Alexius beat him up. He took the hand offerend, and as he stood he was surpries when Alexius pulled him closer. He tensed up. Would he hit him, after all?... "There are things I'd much rather do to you, than hurt you..." Felix blinked. His mouth opened in surprise, but he was at a complete loss at what to think. Or how to react. He wasn't even sure what was happening. "Like... like what?" @Atrice

The man agreed to help her carry the fabrics home. Her companion dutifully dropped a few paces behind as they set out, but Calpurnia did not expect the man to do the same. Since the fates have brought them together in such an amusing way, she was hoping to have a conversation with him. "Do you live far away?" "Quite close. Just up the Aventine. You won't have to carry it far." she replied with a smile as they walked. "What do I call you?" @Atrice