Chevi

"You'll have to warn me when some other woman's name starts to overtake mine in terms of popularity. And the names of men who wish to marry me." The walls of Rome were full of names. In all kinds of contexts. Politics, sex, racing, gladiators, sex, selling things, sex, selling sex... anyway, Vibia was definitely a favorite. Not that many other women didn't get mentions, but he was not about to point that out to her. "But I meant, what were they writing about you on the walls?" "Well, the usual. Some people want to fuck me, and some people think I'm a right bastard." he smirked. One person in particular, anyway. "But hey. You'd actually marry one of those guys? Or are you just collecting references?" @Sara

"Oh? What word would you use?" "Notorious?" he smirked. They had had this conversation before. The wine arrived, watered just enough, with two clean cups. Lucius poured for the both of them. "And what were they about then? Enlighten me?" Lucius looked at Vibia. He wondered if she could read. It would have been surprising if she did, although some expensive companions were quite well educated. "Well, I'd say equal parts about your beauty and your skills. Mostly from men who can't afford either." he grinned. "I am fairly sure I have seen some marriage offers too." @Sara

"I would never." She most definitely would "But of course. I'll bring it over." Lucius let Vibia choose the table and they took their seats. It was a good choice, and kept them at a comfortable distance from the other patrons. "You know, I hope this is free. I heard I'm getting quite popular on the walls of Rome. You should tell him you're with a celebrity. Or are you a celebrity in your own right, with your adoption?" "Celebrity is not the word I would use. But I'd say people definitely know your name." he grinned "Although I have gotten a few notes on the walls myself. But not because of the adoption." @Sara

"Well. Fortunately for you I'm very good at distractions. Unfortunately I'm not a charity." "Oh, I'm aware" he grinned. He had paid his dues to Vibia, back before he left the ranks of the patricians. He knew exactly how expensive she was. And that she was worth it. "But...depending on how nice to me you are, and how irritatingly mopey, I might be persuaded to make an exception." "Stringing me along, are you?" he quirked an eyebrow at her. He doubted she'd ever make that kind of exception. But at least she was not asking about Ovinia anymore. And if he had to choose between a girl who was forever out of his reach, and one that was expensive... well. He did not want to think about that. "Where is this place anyway? And am I to presume it's some sort of hovel?" "Right over there" he nodded. Down the street there was the door of a popina with a colorful sign. It was quaint in its own way; clean, and friendly, with colorful paintings inside on the walls. Not too crowded, thank the gods. The man behind the counter flashed Lucius a smile as they walked in. "Having a guest tonight, Lucius?" "Only if you can treat the lady to decent wine" Lucius grinned, looking around for a free table. @Sara

Lucius really hoped she would leave the question alone. He did not like to be cornered. "Fine. Have it your way. But you have to tell me, are you a sad, mopey heartbroken man? Or one who wants a distraction? Because that's what I'm assuming you mean by that's all done now...?" "I am not sad or heartbroken." he sighed, smirking at her. She was good at this game. No doubt people told her more than they realized. "... Maybe a little mopey. And a distraction is always very welcome..." @Sara

"I know. I... My town was so small you could see from one end to the other if you stood on the beaches, but it was beautiful. And I thought at the time it was enormous. Then when I went to Athens I couldn't imagine anything bigger or more grand..." "But then you came to Rome" Iophon finished the sentence with a chuckle. He knew the feeling. Traveling down the Nile, he had seen Alexandria. And then Rome. He had always thought he had come fromt he cradle of civilization, but this city, it was something else entirely. He could imagine the contrast for someone like Ione, coming from a small island. "But the Romans have a way of making everything else feel small." Iophon nodded. She watched him, probably still not sure if he was just paying for her time, and not her services. But Iophon truly enjoyed getting to know new people. And talking with them in Greek. "What brought you to Rome? Away from your beautiful home, Iophon?" "Work, officially. My brother and I worked on grain ships that came to Rome. But then we decided to stay... I kind of fell in love with the city. Now I'm a tour guide. And a storyteller. I like it much better than hauling crates and amphorae." @Sara

Safety was a relative term in the city of Rome. It largely depended on one's social standing, among other things. Iophon himself moved pretty comfortably around the city, being a peregrinus - not a slave or a freedman, but also not one of the wealthy. He liked it that way. "It is good to know that the vigiles and the urban cohorts are still here. So you believe there is peace then? Last time I was here, I left because it wasn't peaceful. My wife was young and pregnant and I had to see her and the child to safety." "Yes. In that sense, there is peace." Iophon nodded. No rebellions or civil war in the past few years. Crime was still alive and well, for sure, but not to the extent that would make people flee from it. "But now I know there's a new Caesar... isn't he rather young? I'd fear that his advisors would take advantage of that... but I don't know if you move in those circles. Although you appear like a guy who is able to move in many different kinds of circles..." Iophon chuckled at the assumption, and shrugged. "You could say that. I'm a tour guide and a storyteller. It is my job to know the city, and I hear a lot... but I can't say I'm actually allowed into the patrician circles." He grinned. "People seem to like him, though. The caesar. And especially his younger brother, Tiberius. He seems to be paying attention to what the common people need. So, at least there is one good advisor up there..." @Atrice

Early March 77AD A bright, sunny day brought the early promise of spring to the city of Rome. The air was getting warmer, green was returning to the gardens, and everyone seemed a little more cheerful. Even the horses were happier about going outside. Azarion had taken Borena out of the stables for a trot around the race tracks. They lingered, outside the stables, close to the gates that opened to the street. Azarion had stopped to struggle with his hair. He had been growing it out ever since he became a charioteer; a small sign of connection to his former homeland. But now his dark hair had reached the length where it was not long enough to be tied back properly, but not short enough to not get into his eyes. So, he stopped, with a leather tie between his lips, trying to figure out how to braid it back and out of his face. Borena made some whinnying noises, poking his elbow with her nose impatiently. Azarion gave her a glare. Not helping. @Liv

Lucius was a lot of things, but he was not a great liar. He considered that a virtue, but sometimes, it did get annoying. So, he told Vibia he couldn't talk about it. She wasn't deterred. "I'm more determined than you give me credit for, sweet Lucius. Who am I going to tell? Do you imagine my clients would care to hear about your gossip when they're in my bed? It may shock you, but they're usually otherwise distracted." He smirked at her bragging. She could probably tell a whole lot of people. Lucius wouldn't have minded if it had just been his own reputation. But it was Ovinia's too. And hers was a lot more fragile. "So not the adoption...women? You were complaining about somebody last time..." Dammit. "Yeah, that's all done now." he shrugged, trying to put on his most convincing face. "This is really not as exciting as you are expecting it to be. I just don't want to talk about it." @Sara

"I don't know, is he rich?" "Hah, no" Lucius shook his head with a laugh "But he is attractive." "I've underestimated you...you evidently have brains as well as beauty. But being coy doesn't suit you. What would be so awful of you to admit that you're avoiding my questions...what was I right about? Something about your adoption, perhaps?" Lucius gave her a sheepish look. He had already told more people about his feelings - or confusion thereof - than he should have. Namely, two. Alexius and Titus. He trusted both with his life, quite literally, but he was fairly sure Ovinia's family deities would strike him dead if he ever told about her to his "prostitute friend." "I... can't really talk about it. Just take the compliment, hm?" @Sara

"Fine, fine...I'll remind you of that if we walk past a burning building." He knew he would not walk past that building, and she knew it too. Shifts or not, Lucius took his job seriously. Especially with idiot centurions running around protecting property instead of people. "And how have you been? And what have you been doing? And what was I right about? And how many attractive men do you work with?" "I have been doing great" he laughed at her barrage of questions. "Survived my first Saturnalia with the vigiles. People really like to set things on fire when they are drunk..." he shrugged. "Some are more attractive than others. My friend Titus is quite handsome. Shall I introduce him to you?" @Sara

"I've been fine. Same old. But you...I want to talk about you..." "Uh-oh" Lucius chuckled. Vibia was back to her flirtatious self. At least she was clear on Lucius not having any money. He hoped. "You know I have to say something Lucius, it pains me to, but I do... You are...a terrible vigile. Swanning off for drinks with women like me whilst undoubtedly another part of our beloved city is in flames. However could you do such a thing and abandon your people so?" "It's called a shift" he grinned at her "You just took yours off, and mine just ended. Fires are not my problem until dawn tomorrow." @Sara

"You see, you're just intriguing me now. And who said it's for free? I'm not going to buy you your wine." Lucius grinned, watching Vibia flit back to the Venus, no doubt for a costume change. She was known for her work, but that didn't mean she had to walk around in silk all the time. He cleaned up a little more before she reappeared, more modestly dressed. "Know anywhere decent?" "No" Lucius grinned at her "But I know a place with god enough wine. Come on." He headed down the street, away from the Venus at a comfortable pace. The popina he had in mind had a friendly enough owner, and it wasn't usually crowded this time of the day. "So, how have you been since we last met?" @Sara

Iophon left, and Theo examined Wulfric's injuries. The wound on his head had been cleaned, and he confirmed what Iophon had told him on the way. "I don't think your skull is cracked." he noted "But you do need stitches. Have you been stitched before?" He asked, fishing in his bag for the appropriate instruments. Blood was still oozing from the wound, which was not great. He would have to close and bandage it. Theo tilted his head. "First, look at me. Follow my finger." He moved his finger in front of Wulfric's eyes. Hopefully, the hit to his head had not been too bad. @Atrice

"But Patricians are people...as long as they don't treat us poor, lowly freepeople as their personal bodyslaves. Which I'm sure you don't do. And of course, when you're a freedman...or woman, you've been enslaved. That tends to colour your opinion of people of your class...or old class." Lucius nodded. That was the whole deal with Titus; he had been a slave, and against his better judgment he was still antsy around Lucius, although they were making progress. And not even patricians knew how to deal with him giving up his rank to do... this. Vibia finished washing his arm and hands. "Drink? I'm not going back to the Venus until the lovely slaves get the smell of burning wood from my sheets. I have time. And I want to know what I was right about." Lucius nodded to the drink and stood, but laughed at her question. "Oh, I'm not going to tell you that. You have enough confidence as it is, and I'd never live it down." Plus, it was dangerous territory, and he did not want to give Ovinia yet another reason to want to murder him. "But I'll accept the invitation. Although I am surprised at you giving away your time for free." @Sara

"Don't sound so horrified. I'm always right. Although... You'll have to remind me what I was right about this time...all of my victories tend to blur into one." Lucius did not mind Vibia being right. He did mind her being right about the one particular thing - telling him he liked Ovinia before he realized it himself. He would have been better off if he had never realized it at all. Vibia kept working on his arm and hands. His palm was growing used to the hard work, and his kunckles were always scraped. "People are people. Some of the best conversationalists I know were the slaves in our house. And some of the simplest are the senators in my bed. So I suppose, what I'm trying to say is... Don't be so self-absorbed. Nobody cares if you're a patrician or not. Just...don't rub it in people's faces." "That's... the exact opposite of what you just said earlier." Lucius pointed out with a smirk. "And I know people are people. That was... kind of the whole point of this job." Otherwise he would have kept his rank and social standing. "Turns out, not all people think patricians are people, though. But I am working on it." @Sara

"Ah, so you're saying you need to go for one of the spindly little women with no teeth at the Elysium." No, I am going for a spindly patrician girl who also likes to kick me. She worked on cleaning his arm and he let her. It was nice, to be cared for like that. He knew that flirtation was second nature to Vibia, but for now, he was not even a potential client. "I am not going for anyone." "Would you like some advice, sweet Lucius? From the opposite of your situation? A lowly freedwoman playing with Patricians?" "From you? Always" he grinned. "You have been right before. I'm listening." @Sara

Lucius smirked as she ran her fingers along his jaw. He had never been a true regular, but he knew her touch well. He just hoped she knew he really had no coin to spend. At all. "Never hear the end of it? Why would you want to hear the end of it? Don't you want them to know you have friends like me?" She splashed water on his wounds and he winced. Both at the pain and the question. "I am one of them now. And it is hard, making them actually trust the patrician boy who came out to play with the freedmen." he sighed "They are all good men. And it makes sense they are suspicious of me. But it is going to take a lot of work to earn their trust." @Sara

"Let me see, before you fall down of blood loss." Lucius chuckled, holding out his arm for her. The amusing aspect of Vibia, out of all people, playing nurse, was not lost on him. Their eyes met, and she dropped her mask for a moment. Almost like she was a friend. "It's good to see you Lucius." "You too." "But I should loathe you really, leaving me all alone in the Venus. Tsk. You've not been able to scrape my fee together?" "Do I look like I get paid in gold?" he quirked an eyebrow. "If the others found out I'm even talking to you I'd never hear the end of it." @Sara

Lucius laughed at her shriek. She kicked at him and sprayed him with more water. He didn't mind. He was already all dirty anyway, water was the least of his problems. He sat down on the edge of the fountain. "Now I remember why I haven't seen you...no manners in you equites." "Please I had no manners as a patrician either." "Ah yes. You were complaining of women problems and running off to leave me to fight fires... You've got the fires down to a pat. You're enjoying it?" "Very much so." he admitted cheerfully, checking his arm for injuries. "Although ask me again tomorrow morning..." @Sara

Vibia seemed to be enjoying this. Maybe was an entertaining moment in her day, or maybe she just took pleasure in seeing how far Lucius had fallen since their last encounter. Either way, she was not going anywhere. Lucius joined her at the fountain. "Most of them. I have some time to spend with my brave vigile. How long has it been? Since you last darkened my door?" Lucius unceremoniously dunked his head in the fountain. Gods, it felt good. He came up, shaking water out of his hair. By the time it ran down his neck, it colored his tunica grey. "Months?" He ventured "Not since I got adopted." @Sara

"Why did they almost die for the Venus? It's not our fault that some dolt left their cooking fire on too long or placed a lamp next to a curtain." "No, but everyone was so busy saving the Venus that no one checked inside." Lucius huffed. It had occurred to him before the centurion even thought about it. Which is why he needed to make centurion, as soon as possible. Vibia checked him over. Lucius looked at her a little sheepishly since it was definitely not her job. "You look a state, there's a fountain- You were very brave though." "Part of the job" Lucius smirked. He did look awful. He had bruises, and a few scratches on his arm from breaking down a door. It wasn't bad but they did bleed. Vibia, on the other hand, was definitely not dressed for the public. "Did we scare off the customers, or what?" @Sara

They had done their job. The vigiles packed up, many of them throwing longing glances towards the Venus, no doubt wishing, at least a little bit, that it would have caught fire, so that there would be heroics to be rewarded. Alas, there weren't, and the centurion ordered his men to head back to the barracks for the end of their patrol. Lucius pulled the scarf down around his neck, leaving a clear contrast between the upper and lower parts of his face. That last part had been rough, and he had a few injuries. Nothing major, but he told the centurion he'd go seek a medicus nearby anyway. It was party true, and wholly a etter excuse than flaunting his personal connection to the Venus in front of the other vigiles. "Bravo, hero Roscius...take your bow" He turned as the crowd dispersed, frowning at Vibia. "I don't need to take a bow. My centurion needs a kick in the ass. Those people almost died for the Venus. No offense." @Sara

The roof was coming down, and the fire seemed contained, but the building would no doubt burn out. Once the bucket chain was working, Lucius ventured inside with some of the other vigiles to check. It was good they did: some people were still inside. Swearing loudly, Lucius managed to break down a door, and they carried the family to safety. They were covered in soot and badly coughing, with burns. Damn Venus. The centurion must have seen the look in his eyes when he emerged from the building, because he hurried to make sure everyone was fine. The fire finally burned itself out, and the rest was put out with water and blankets. This part was less spectacular, and people slowly filtered back into the Venus.

Lucius heard the voice before he saw her, and almost snapped at her to stand back before he realized who she was. Instead, he grinned behind his scarf. "This whole city will burn down and the Venus will still stand if it is up to our boys" he noted. "You should stand back though, we are not done pulling down the roof yet."