Chevi

"I'm fine. It's just an ache, it will die down. You have all of this to look forward too." Metella wrinkled her nose, forgetting about being polite for a moment. She did not look forward to any of that, she knew that already. She had been there when Cassia was born. Mostly handing things to the midwife, and running around for towels and water and whatnot, but she did remember the whole yelling and crying and bleeding part. Right now, however, she was feeling more annoyed about this stubborn woman denying her pain. "How far along are you?" "Um... two months, maybe? It... must have happened before Saturnalia." that was her best guess, anyway. Damn Attis, and his frequent visits to her bed. Horatia's hand was shaking, and her steps were unsure. "Everything will be fine... I...I just need to get to the temple." "Excuse me, domina, you don't seem fine." she stated, but walked along anyway, letting her lean on her arm. "Let's get you to the temple." It was closer than the gates, and Juno's priestesses probably knew what the hell was to be done. @Sara

Metella helped Horatia stand, but she immediately swayed, in obvious pain. Oh. Oh no. Metella's eyes widened as she watched her grasp her belly and breathe deep. How far along was she? What was happening?... "Come. It's not far." "Domina, are you sure you are alright?" Metella ventured, not daring to let go of Horatia's hand. If the consul's wife collapsed on her watch, there would be an all-out shit show. Juno, help me. "You look like you are in pain..." @Sara

Metella could see the recognition in the woman's eyes. "I know Cassius Longinus well. He is a close friend of my husband. They served together in Britannia, and he often calls round to our domus. Horatia Justina." Oh. Oh. Of course. The consul's wife. Even Metella knew that. Longinus talked enough about his friends that it finally clicked, even with most of her mind occupied with her own life for a change. Metella smiled in recognition too. "A pleasure to meet you, domina." Even if they had probably met before, at some visit, where Metella had been too busy coralling Cassia to really pay attention. "There is only so much worrying one can do. Before you have to accept that everything is in the hands of the Gods. Should we walk up?" Everything was in the hands of the gods. Metella just hoped their grace would extend to her as well, since her own gods were very, very far away to help. Metella nodded, getting up from the bench. After some hesitation, she offered a hand to help Horatia up. @Sara

"It is. It's a good place for contemplation." It was. Metella took a deep breath. Maybe this was the goddess' blessing, having an island of peace like this for women who were worried and scared. The other lady definitely seemed... out of sorts. But maybe it was just the climb. "Your name? I'll offer a prayer for you as well. Every little helps..." Once again, she felt that warm feeling, of someone really understanding. It almost made her tear up. Metella smiled. "Thank you, domina. I'm Metella. I belong to Lucius Cassius Longinus' household." If she was a patrician, she probably knew the name. "And your name? I wish to pray for you too." @Sara

"Your first?" "Yes." Metella nodded. She was touched, by the kind tone of the other woman. Metella had never really been in the company of women much, other than the girl she cared for. Suddenly, being pregnant, made her feel like she shared something with this patrician woman that was impossible to explain to anybody else. "Yours?" "This is my third. But I come here weekly - it's good to pay your respects often, not just once or twice... If your master allows it, of course." Third child. This woman had survived birth twice. Metella knew many women did, and more, but she was suddenly feeling the reality of such a statement like she never had before. And yet, she was here to pray, every week. Maybe Juno Lucina really did watch out for those who were devoted to her. "I think he will. He has been... very considerate so far." Metella nodded. Maybe not weekly, but she would definitely come more often before the baby arrived. "It is... peaceful here." @Sara

"I'm quite alright, I'm fine. The walk was harder than I remembered." Metella was definitely not looking forward to that part. She had never been quite thin, but there was a difference between having curves, and being the size of a small domus and having to waddle around everywhere. She looked a little hesitant, but since the woman offered, she took a seat next to her, on the other end of the bench. "You're here for yourself?" "I am" she nodded. It was clear for the other woman, but not for her, not yet. "I just... recently found out." The other woman, however, seemed to know her way around, even if she was out of breath. "You have been here before?" she ventured, making an educated guess. @Sara

Metella's steps slowed as the other woman came into view. She hesitated. Technically, the temple was open to all, but the other woman, looking heavily pregnant and none too cheerful, was clearly a patrician, and Metella was a slave. She looked somewhat familiar. Maybe a wife to one of dominus' friends? She tried to remember if any of them was expecting. Metella would have sat down too, but she didn't dare. The pregnancy was not being a challenge yet, other than the constant morning sickness, but it would have been nice to sit. Instead, she paused, looking at the woman who seemed flushed and out of breath. She glanced around, but there was no one else nearby. "Domina... are you alright?" @Sara

Iophon was a naturally curious person. It made sense if someone visited the temple of Venus - who didn't love Venus? - but there were also probably many other reasons to come to the Gardens this time of the day. Like... "People. You see, I lived in Rome, many years ago, and only recently came back. So now I'm looking to see, if Rome still has something to offer to me." "Oh. Welcome back, then." Not entirely new to Rome, which lowered Iophon's chances of getting coin out of the man for his services. Still, interesting. There had to be a story there. "Have you been in Rome for long? Oh and please, have a seat... and a cake for yourself, if you'd like." "Thank you" he did take a seat, and he did take a cake. They smelled good. "I'm Iophon, by the way. I have been in the city for two... no, almost three years now. How about you? Where did you go, before you came back?" @Atrice

End of January, 77AD It was almost as if she had stepped out of the heart of Rome, with its hustle and bustle, and back to an older time, when this northern part of the Esquiline had still been covered in lush greenery. The sacred grove of Juno Lucina, now surrounded by a wall and crowned with a temple, reminded Metella of the forests of her own homeland. It made her feel more peaceful. Which was a sacred achievement in and of itself, because she had not been calm for days. Ever since she'd found out she was pregnant. She was not showing yet, but she still placed a hand on her belly as she looked around. The path led through the grove up a light slope to the temple. There was thick greenery all around; trees, flowers, bushes, only kept in check enough to allow a path through. There was birdsong, and the tickling of water somewhere nearby. Here and there, hidden along the path, were simple wooden benches. It made sense, given how many easily winded pregnant women probably visited this place. Right now, there was no one in sight, but Metella could only see the next few steps of the path. Holding a basket in one hand, she started forward. She had some serious praying to do. @Sara

Cynane asked about drinks. Azarion smirked, digging around behind the pillows. He had a pitcher of wine, and some cups. He had assumed that the smoke would be enough for a nice comfortable high, but just in case it did not do what it was supposed to do, he had also prepared drinks. He poured, and passed the cups around as Cynane asked about how to play, and Tiberius suggested he should go first. Clearing a little space in the middle by the brazier, Azarion tossed the bones first. There were five of them. Fur landed on their sides, and one landed standing up on its narrow end. Azarion grinned, picking them up to see the numbers that had landed on the ground.* He counted, then held up is hands and moved his fingers. Fifteen. (*In Roman games of knucklebones, it was the numbers facing down that counted. Each bone as 6 sides, the two narrow sides being the highest scores.) @Sharpie @Atrice @Sarah

"I'd be a poor sort of politician if I didn't think of scenarios and plan for them, however likely or unlikely they are to come to pass. And I know what lawyers are like, bleeding estates dry for their own gain and damn the heirs." Calpurnia chuckled. Her brother really was consul material. He planned for everything, he was shrewd and clever, and he was not going to take any bullshit from anyone. She was lucky he was on her side, in this whole marriage issue. Otherwise, he could have been a formidable opponent to deal with. "I daresay you will want to travel down to Baiae to visit Mother and Father - though I think Father will want to come up to Rome to see Titus take his toga virilis." "I am looking forward to his visit, then" Calpunia noted lightly. That was one trip she was not necessarily looking forward to. She would have to, eventually, but she had always gotten along with her brother better. "As for colours, you look very fetching in blue. I shall array you in all the colours of the rainbow if you wish, you have only to ask. Find yourself a body slave and take her shopping with you. I expect you to return laden with fabric in as many colours as you can find." "I will definitely take you up on that" she grinned. Oh, that trip she was looking forward to. She had thirty years of fashion to catch up on. She would have to pick a body slave that kept up. "How is your barbarian chieftain working out, anyway? Something Calpurnius Eppitacus, isn't it?" "That man would have been wasted as a slave" Calpurnia nodded with a smirk. She did not regret her controversial decision. "I have not seen much of him lately, but we keep in touch. He is becoming fond of some of the finer things in Rome." She waved a hand. She had done what she had done because she recognized character, and did not like the way he had been treated. Even if he had been an enemy. "If you become consul... what are your plans for after? Would you move out of Rome again?" @Sharpie

Attis hugged Metella, and she let him hold her. She was suddenly afraid of a whole lot of things; pregnancy, birth, raising a baby in the household. Mostly the first two. Which gods did Romans even pray to in times like this? Would they even help someone like her?... "It's all right. You're strong - you've always been strong. And you'll be a really good mother." "Oh, I know." she muttered, sniffling. "But this whole thing is going to be a pain..." Both literally and figuratively. @Sharpie

"There's two good ways to do this. The first thing to understand is that you're not going to stop a man cold when he's running at you... Unless you dwarf him." Lucius nodded. He did not have that advantage over Decimus. If he tried to stop him in his momentum, more likely than not he would end up on his back. Lucius was aware other guards were watching the training with mild interest. "Anyways, stay low. One way is to brace your dominant leg on the ground and use your hands to guide the bastard into it. It's not the best but it works sometimes. The best way is to wait till he's committed and then bring your whole body low with your head down and forward. Thrust yourself forward when his legs hit your hands and he'll fall like bricks. Got all that?" "I... think so?" Lucius steadied his stance, trying to play out the technique in his head. He would only have a second to actually do it right. "Ready." @Sains

"I will trust you to filter what you observe and only bring me that which cannot be remedied by or within the Vigiles themselves." Lucius nodded. Obviously. Not everything in the city could be remedied by the vigiles or the urban cohorts, and those remaining might be too unrealistic an ask even for an imperial ear. But he would try to be as useful as possible. This was an impossibly rare chance for the people of Rome. The young man would have meed a good emperor. He still might. "We ignore the plights of the plebians at our peril; they are the foundation of the Empire." Lucius smiled. They were. The everyday people, on the streets, in the markets, in the insulae, in the legions. They were holding up the entire empire. "You know they like you, right? They write it on the walls." Reading the walls had always been a fun pastime, but now it was also important information for the vigiles. @Sarah

"I worked in the stables too, when I first came to the Rome. Then I was sold to the ludus." "... You were a gladiator?!" Felix paused, just as they got to the wall. Oh, shit. Forget fighting, this man could straight up kill him if he wanted to. Even without a weapon. Also, now it made more sense why the young domina found him appealing. Felix contemplated running away. Maybe the beating he'd get at home would be less bad... but maybe not. Alexius might have been a professional killed, but he seemed... more forgiving than the dominus. Cursing silently, Felix followed him into the garden. "Here we are... You can punch me first, if you'd like?" Felix hesitated, face to face with Alexius. His choices were... very limited here. His heart rate sped up, trying to decide if he should run or fight. He looked at Alexius, noting that he did, indeed, look strong. Like a fighter. Felix had bulk on him, but definitely not skill. He sighed. Might as well get this over now. He lunged at Alexius, aiming a punch at his ribs, rather than his face, putting his weight behind it. @Atrice

Lucius had not been avoiding his brother in the past few weeks since Saturnalia, exactly... he just suddenly had a lot to do elsewhere. He was still working his way through the ranks of the vigiles, and he was hunting for the barber on the side. And yes, he was not sure how to face his brother yet; they had scarcely talked since he'd move out to the barracks, and basically not at all, face to face, since... Ovinia. Technically, the whole Saturnalia thing happened after she had broken off the would-be engagement, but it somehow did not make Lucius feel any less guilty. But he did miss his brother. And he wanted to meet him on neutral ground, rather than at home. So, here they were, in the Gardens of Maecenas, taking a walk. Lucius was not even sure where he was going with this, but it was good to see Gaius again. "So, how are you finding life with the vigiles?" "It's... quite busy" he admitted, pulling his cloak over his uniform. He would be on patrol later. "Still getting used to the work load. But it's also exciting sometimes. I even learned how to punch people." He grinned. "Not quite the frontier, but there's never a dull moment. How is life in the senate?" @Sharpie @Atrice

"Whatever needs to be done." Felix shrugged. Clearly in this case that included having a fight with someone. It wasn't much of an answer, but really, they usually put him to work wherever his strength was needed. "My mother works in the kitchens, and my father in the stables. I might take over for him, once he is older..." Felix liked the horses, although he did not have more affinity for them than anything else around the house. Still, being a house slave was not that bad. It could have been a lot worse, if he had been sent to the mines, or to the arena, for example. @Atrice

"I guess you don't fight much." Felix huffed. If he had ever had any advantage at all, it was completely blown now. Oh well. Alexius seemed more confident in his fighting skills anyway. "Because I am. Most of my live has been about fighting. But... don't feel bad. You might learn a thing or two?" Oh, fuck. The young domina had banged a professional fighter. The old dominus decided to send a house slave against a professional fighter. What the fuck. "What do you do in your master's house?" "I just..." Felix sighed. What the hell, he was going to find out soon enough anyway. "I'm a house slave." @Atrice

"This is going to be the strangest fight I've been in" Felix muttered, following Alexius. If he took him to some abandoned place in the Subura and then decided to beat the crap out of him, at least he would have a good excuse for not carrying out orders. If Alexius killed him... well. Felix was a slave. He was used to being under threat of death. "Why do I feel like you are good at fighting" he added, frowning, as they made their way to wherever Alexius was headed. @Atrice

With both of them sitting down, the height difference between them was not that striking anymore. Calpurnia looked her sister-in-law over again. Pregnancy looked good on her, even she could tell that. Aulus must have been very proud of his growing family. Calpurnia did have a lot of things to get on with, but she would always make time for family matters. "I'm glad to be back on solid ground, I shall say that much. And pleased we left it no later in my pregnancy. The domus is beautiful." Calpurnia chuckled. Traveling by sea, from what she knew, was uncomfortable at best; she could imagine how bad it would be for a heavily pregnant woman. She also noted that Horatia avoided her question. "I imagine it will take some time. To feel like it is my home. I imagine it felt the same when you moved here?" Calpurnia tilted her head. "Somewhat... but I was nine years old at the time. And this... is never just home." It was a place of worship, the sanctuary of the Eternal Flame. It was never going to be quite like a home, even though the Vestals claimed it as their own. "I hope my brother is making sure you have all the comforts you need." @Sara

"Signs so far are mostly nodding head yes/no in response to questions and pointing- as I learn my new role we can make signs that work." "Well, that sounds like a plan" Calpurnia nodded. Instead of learning signs that already existed, she would get to work on them together with Tacita. That would suit them both best - and in addition, no one else would be able to understand them. "We would have our own language of sorts" she added with a small smile. Body slaves were often the closest confidantes of men and women. This would be an added bonus. "Did a medicus ever... examine your voice?" she ventured. Not that she minded that Tacita didn't talk. She blinked. "I am just... curious, how you have sound, and language, but no words." @Jenn

The man had a friendly smile, which Iophon shared. "Oh I think she already did, years ago. But thanks for the suggestion." "Oh but one smile from her is never enough" he noted with a chuckle. Could anyone ever get enough of Venus' blessings? He doubted it. He certainly was not tired yet. "But, perhaps you want one to offer to her instead? I have plenty." "Now I definitely have to" Iophon grinned. He picked up a piece of honey cake, carefully placing it on his palm, and walked over to the small temple. It was round, with columns all around; an ancient form, from before more grand buildings were made in better places. There was a small altar inside, and a place for offerings. He placed the cake at the goddess' feet, whispering a prayer, before he returned, stepping out into the sunshine. Hopefully, Venus would bless him too. He picked up the conversation where he'd left off. "So, if not worship, what brings you out to the gardens?" @Atrice

"So no matter what we do, you'll lose. It's fucked up, that's what it is." Felix sighed. He was not arguing. But he also did not feel like openly railing against an order from his dominus. Even though it was fucked up. What was he going to do now? Fight the man? Allow himself to get beaten up?... "Come." "Where are we going?" he asked, but he did tag along. At least he'd not lose sight of his target. Hopefully Alexius did not expect to turn him into a runaway slave... @Atrice

No, the Romans were definitely not horse people. And yet, they had conquered half the world, and they were staring across the river now. Azarion was too young to remember the last time his people fought the Romans, but he knew it had been a stalemate at best. The Romans might not have been blessed by the Sarmatian gods, the gods of the wilderness, but they were tough as nails. "They bring the archers from elsewhere" Azarion noted. He remembered the adults talking about tall, dark-skinned men with tall, straight bows among the Roman cohorts. So out of place for the shining metal armors. Talking about shining... A glint caught Azarion's eye. He craned his neck, looking down along the river to where the hills partially obscured the view of a bend. Something metallic glinted in the sun... and it was on this side of the water. "Did you see that?" @Sharpie

"Alright." Iophon was a little hesitant about leaving Wulfric alone, but he was clearly in no condition to walk. "I'll be back as soon as I can." Luckily, his insula was not horribly far away. And Theodorus happened to be home. Iophon explained in a hurry what had happened (leaving out the sordid details), and the friendly neighborhood medicus immediately agreed to follow him to the patient. It wasn't more than an hour before they returned. Iophon just hoped that Wulfric's condition had not turned to the worse since. "Good news! I brought someone who can help" he announced, walking in the door. @Atrice