Chevi

"You don't need to know my name." Smoke Lady it is. Until she proved herself to be Smoke Bitch instead. "You are Sarmatian too?... You're both a long way from home. I never got the story from this one. How did you end up here." Azarion gave a look at Tiranes and rolled his eyes, making a few gestures. Oh geez, I don't know, we heard the weather was nice here and the people are friendly and decided to take a long walk. "You do know how to smoke it yourselves, yes?" This time, he gave the look at Smoke Lady herself. This was not his first buy, and it had never bothered her before if he knew how to smoke it. And even if he didn't, and was going to stick it up his ass or something, she still would get her money anyway. Also. Sarmatians. @Sara @Sharpie

A lamp. Azarion smirked. Everything this girl said, with her completely naive cheerfulness, would have sounded ridiculous from everyone else. She finally let go of his hand, but as he showed her Tabitha, she looked hesitant again. Tabitha, on her part, watched her patiently with her large, dark eyes. Ione finally caught up to what he was trying to show her. "These are the ones you race? The famous charioteer's steeds?" Azarion snorted, and Borena, sensing his mood, snorted too. Famous charioteer, indeed. He nodded, though, because she was technically right. He took a few more steps, picking up another apple on the way, and tossing a second one to Ione. A few stalls further there was another horse. Pagos. The infamous one he rode when he was riding instead of driving in the races. He mimed riding a horse, pointing at him. @Sara

"And I would point out that I wouldn't let you swim either if you did not know how to navigate the currents." Lucius chuckled, smiling against her shoulder. Somehow, against his expectations, the fantasy was... comforting. "Ovinia Camilla, swimming in wild waters for the whole world to see." This clearly was another, imaginary world. She shifted their hands, and he felt the texture of the scar on her hip. He had seen it before, but did not mention it; he'd worried she might by shy about the scars, but if anyone knew about them, it was him. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder blade, above the other scar. "We would have had a brood of children. And I would have lost my mind worrying for all of you all the time." @Sara

The blonde man scoffed, obviously thinking Iophon was up to some sort of trickery. He followed him down the steps folding his arms. "I'm asking because you are interesting." Iophon pointed out cheerfully. "A bit jaded, sure, and shit audience, but I'm curious anyway." That was one thing that never changed: Iophon, being curious about people. It was what made him a good storyteller, after all. Because everyone had a story, and every story was about people. @Sara

Azarion would have found this strange, child-like enthusiasm annoying from most people, but somehow from this girl it seemed genuine. He snorted at her last question, gesturing at the building, and tapping his slave tablet. I'm a slave, lady. I don't own jack shit. But he watched with a smile as she patted Borena. He stepped to the next stall, making some cooing sounds; the other mare Tabitha, poked her chestnut head out of there. She was the steadier of the two. Azarion pointed at the two of them, and mimed driving a chariot again. @Sara

He didn't want to think about it. He'd daydreamed about her many times before; first about being with her like this, and now that they were here, the daydreams moved on to imagining a life together. But even Lucius, ever the rule-breaker and the optimist, could not find a way those could be true. But now she asked. He wanted to give her what she wanted. "Well... I would have had to do the service in the legions first, and I would have return all rugged." He smirked, kissing her shoulder before he settled into the story. "And then I would have been a senator, wearing a toga and everything. We would have gotten married, like a big, fancy wedding, with a whole set of fancy new jewelry for you. And I would have carried you across the threshold, and we would have stayed in bed for an entire week. Until you told me I need to go back out there and find myself some ambition, because you intend to be the greatest matron in Rome." he chuckled. @Sara

Azarion rolled his eyes, fishing coins from his purse. I am not a charity case. He had some sponsors now; he had money, not too much, but what the fuck else was he gonna spend it on? The Whites gave him food and clothes and shelter. And he didn't exactly have any hobbies. The woman asked for their names, and Azarion let his cousin answer. Ask hers too. @Sharpie @Sara

Lucius turned, wrapping her in a hug from behind. He could feel the tension in her, and he new that she was crying. There was nothing he could say to make it any better, so he just held her instead, burying his face in her shoulder. He intertwined his fingers with hers. He wished they could stay like this, fall asleep like this. She didn't want to talk about these things anymore. He understood. With all the heartbreak that was in their future, she was the one who would be forced to share a bed with someone else. @Sara

"No. Don't go there." he said softly as she looked up at him, tears in her eyes. He had gone there many times before. Could they have known sooner? Would it have been different? "I would have never been a good enough match in you father's eyes." Even if he sucked it up, and put the effort in...by the time he was done being a tribune, she would have been married off to someone else. "I love you, Ovinia" he pressed a kiss to her forehead. Love and heartbreak, hand in hand. He was quiet for a while; now that they started talking about unspoken things, they might as well keep going. "Do you... think we will... see each other after you marry?" @Sara

Lucius knew he should not have said it. Reality was not welcome in their warm little cocoon. But he had to say it, because it was true. He wanted to be with her, more than just the stolen moments they had. Except, it was impossible. And with her age and her father's expectations, these moments were running out. "Do you think we would have been happy? If it had worked out?" Lucius sighed. He knew they would have. "I am happy" he murmured, holding her close. "I'm happy I met you and happy that we fell in love, and... happy we have what we have." These moments would not be taken away from them now. "But I'd also run away with you to Egypt right the fuck now if you asked." @Sara

Azarion tilted his head at the woman. Long time, indeed. He remembered her being the boss, and if she was still around doing business here, she was probably good at it. Tiranes, on his part, walked straight into Azarion, who grumbled and walked on inside. He glanced between his cousin and the woman, waving a hand. They didn't know each other, but Tiranes was with him, and that had to be enough for a paying customer. For the amount of money he charged for the good hemp, anyway. Tiranes, Smoke Lady. Smoke Lady, Tiranes. @Sharpie @Sara

"I can trust some of them." Calpurnia mulled over the question as she smoothed down her dress and picked up her palla. "It's not a big villa... doesn't need much staff. I can find some whom I can trust. But you'll have to be careful, coming and going." If he was seen visiting her too often, people would definitely start asking questions. Neither of them, after all, had the luxury of blending in easily with the crowds... @Atrice

"Marcus Curtius would say that Rome's greatness will live on as long as its greatest stories are told." Iophon pointed out. Some people dispersed, some lingered, and some tossed some coins at him which he expertly caught. "What, leaving already?" he asked, not speaking to the crowd anymore, as he watched Titus walk down the stairs. "Too bad, I was going to buy you a drink." Iophon was a firm believer of trying, anyway. If you never asked, you never won. @Sara

Ione held his hand, which made Azarion blink; he'd meant to guide her other hand with the apple, but of well. She seemed skittish, but then again so were many of the horses. He had practice with that. He allowed her to get closer at her own pace; she admired Borena. Borena liked to be admired. Azarion gave her a proud nod, then showed her how to hold the apple on her palm again. This time, Bornea took it calmly with a satified huff. Azarion patted her nose again, allowing Ione to do the same if she wanted to. @Sara

July 77AD Azarion wrapped his cloak around himself and wrinkled his nose as he and Tiranes walked down one of the sides streets of Rome. It was pretty quiet this time of the day, late enough that everyone was tired and thinking of dinner, but early enough that the night life - both fun and deadly - was not out in droves yet. Azarion walked past the brothels and the popinas; they were not what he'd come here for (in the company of his cousin). He'd been here only a handful of times, buying herbs to smoke. He rarely had the occasion, but sometimes they were good to have. And he knew where to get the good stuff. He ducked through a nondescript door into a dimly lit room, nodding to Tiranes to follow - this was the first time he'd brought him along. Surprised, he stopped right on the threshold. The man he usually bought from was there - but so was the woman he'd only seen once before. Azarion tilted his head, looking at her warily. @Sharpie @Sara

Some time later Lucius and Ovinia lay in bed, comfortably wrapped in a blanket. Lucius smiled as he pulled Ovinia close. Sunlight was filtering through the window; the outside world was far, far away. Holding her like this, it was bliss. He wanted to stay in it forever. "I love you." He murmured. "I wish I could marry you." @Sara

He smiled a little against her lips. Happy place. Being with her, hidden away from the outside world. She held his face gently, and he felt so much love for her he could feel his heart hammering in his chest. He pulled her closer, onto his lap, hands running along her body. "What would make you happy, then?" he smiled softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "It is still your birthday..." @Sara

He smiled softy as she placed the fibula on her palla. It was a small thing, a secret sign that they belonged together. Even when they couldn't be together. She knelt up and kissed him, and he wrapped his arms around her, kissing her back. "I'm sorry, love." he murmured, running one hand gently through her hair. He was sorry for ruining the moment, but he was also sorry for other things. Some that would never happen, even. @Sara

Lucius watched as she slipped the golden circlet off her arm; it would be wide enough for him to wear, although he'd have to hide it (or take it off while working). He smiled softly, thinking for a moment what he could give her. He wished it was a ring. He had an equite's ring, but she could never wear that without rousing suspicion. He slipped the golden bracelet on his wrist, before reaching up to unclasp his cloak. The fibula that fastened it was only made of bronze, but it was an elegant piece, of silver with a small green stone set in its head. "It's the only thing I have" he said a little sheepishly, holding it out to her. He wished it was a ring. @Sara

He watched her. All he wanted was to hold her, and he held her hand until she pulled back, putting the cithara down. He knew that her joke had a grain of truth in it - she never quite accepted the fact that he knew Vibia. And he wasn't sure what to do about it. For now, he just wanted to forget everything outside this domus. "You do?... Tell me." @Sara

Alright, this had definitely gone down the hill somehow. Lucius sighed. He did not want to waste time arguing. Especially when he had no idea what was wrong to begin with. "I know" he muttered. She had been joking... it had just hit a sore spot. Because he did not love Vibia but he could have her any time (provided he had the funds)... but he loved Ovinia, and she would never truly be his. He reached out to squeeze her hand. "I'm sorry. I just... don't know, how to prove what this all means to me. I wish I could." @Sara

"You asked for the cithara!" he protested, a little thrown off balance by the turn the conversation had taken. He was not exactly sure what he had done wrong. And he almost pointed out Vibia's place was nothing like this house... but realized in time that it would probably not be the argument he thought it would be. "I wondered if you had a type, is all, and whether you'd prefer it if I were an exotic blonde?" "Ovinia." he gave her a look, trying to get his bearings. "I am here risking life and limb to be with you, do you think I give a fuck about anyone else?" @Sara

The savillum was good. Sweet and light, and he smiled as he ate it, watching her completely lost to the music. She was a vision. Then she spoke, and he almost choked on the pastry. "What..." he coughed, shaking his head as he managed to not choke, and reached for some wine. "Why would you even say that?" Somewhere deep down he knew he would never live it down, but still... @Sara

"I am happy you like it." he smiled softly as she played a chord. "It suits you." It clearly made her happy. In the genuine, soft way that he rarely saw on her. He wondered why no one had gifted her one before, but he was happy he got to do it. He moved away to cut a piece of the savillum, adding honey. "Well, I'm going to eat my cake, and you can play with you cithara." he chuckled. @Sara

He smiled at her reaction, sitting next to her as she opened the present. It had been worth it. She looked surprised... and a little alarmed. He laughed, leaning over to kiss her cheek. "First off... yes it did. But I'm still an equite, remember?" And now he owed Mania a bunch of money, but he was not going to admit that. "Second, it's not my birthday, and you got me savillum anyway, and I love it. And I love you. Happy birthday, Ovinia." @Sara