Chevi

"Me either." Lucius signed as she rolled onto her back. They both knew there was no good solution to this, but after the night they had shared, Lucius was feeling stubborn. He was not done fighting this yet. "But how can we go back. You don't want me in Rome," I do. "Serving you in the day, sweeping your floors and pouring wine for your guests and then coming to your bed at night like a slave girl in any other house in Rome." Lucius sighed. "I know." He didn't want that. But it did not leave many options, for them to be together, in any way at all. "But this can't be it..." Not when they finally found each other again. All he knew was that he did not want to wake up without her. He rolled onto his side, wrapping his good arm around her. "We could go away." he muttered "We could go somewhere else?" @Sara

Lucius was telling the truth, but it was clearly not sitting well with Titus. Who would have thought that being rich in Rome would one day be a downside to something?... "Moderately rich. I presume you lived in of the rich houses on the hills?" "I..." "No answer necessary. Moderately rich." Lucius sighed. The next roll came up in his favor, so now he had a question to ask. He considered it for a moment. He wanted to ask real things, serious things, but he was not sure it wouldn't set Titus off. "What would you do if you were rich?" @Sara

This part of the city was not one where Iophon usually took his clients. Sure, it was full of stories, and exciting ones too, just not the kind that a traveler would be interested in. Unless they had very special interests in mind. Anyway, Iophon was alone this time, and just taking a convenient shortcut. But it appeared that the gods had guided his steps down this path for a very specific reason. Seeing a man drunk and/or beaten up on the subura streets was not exactly a novelty. But Iophon was the kind of man who stopped anyway, since no one else did. In addition, as he leaned closer, he was shocked to discover that the face, beaten up as it was, seemed familiar. He had a good memory for such things. "Wulfric?" he reached out to touch the man's shoulder, not sure if he was conscious. "Hey, my friend. What happened to you?" @Atrice

"She is, very remarkable. And beautiful too. You really turned her down?... I hope she'll be alright. That they all will." Lucius chuckled as Alexius said what he knew had been on his mind. The world of patrician relationships was vastly different from what Alexius was probably used to. Lucius shook his head. "I didn't turn her down. She was looking for respectable husband material, and we both knew I wasn't that." he grinned "That was before I even joined the vigiles. She deserves someone... steadier. She's got a son to care for." Obviously, Pinaria had been set up with the wrong brother. @Atrice

"Thank you for everything" Lucius smiled at Pinaria as they were led to to door. "I hope we meet again soon. Under better circumstances. And... we'll let you know if we find him." He glanced at Alexius, who seemed to like Pinaria's company. He could bring the news next time. Once they said their goodbyes and left, Lucius turned his steps back towards the insula. He was not due at the castra just yet, so he might as well spend some time in Alexius' company. "Quite the amazing woman, isn't she" he noted with a smirk. @Atrice

Azarion jumped as someone called his name, and looked around to see a familiar redhead. Not many people ran around Rome looking like that. The young charioteer recognized Rufus, the man who'd taught him his first letters. They had not met since, and it felt like ages ago. In the middle of all that was going on, it was good to see someone friendly. Azarion grinned, and waved to Rufus in greeting. @Sharpie

Somehow Pinaria was a lot more collected than either of them. And kind. If she had not already been compromised, or if she had been a man, he could have made a valuable addition to their little ragtag team. Gods knew she had the strength for it. "I don't know if it will help, but... after rain comes the rainbow. What happened, what that man did... was horrible. But if her story will save others, that is something too, right? Think of the pain it will prevent. And the death. All because of her. Of course it should never have happened, but it did, and since we can't undo the past. Him being caught and punished for all his misdeeds and preventing more in the future is the best outcome of it, right?" "I really hope so." Lucius smiled a little too, at her words. If they ended up catching the man, then maybe it would be closure. Not quite worth it, not for Ovinia, but at least no one else would get hurt. "Maybe Alexius can tell her that." Because she was not talking to him, the way they stood. "That goes for you too. There's no undoing the past. Let it rest and work towards the good instead." "We should go" Lucius concluded. They had taken up enough if Pinaria's time. He glanced at Alexius to wait in case he had anything else to say. "If you think of anything else... or if you hear anything, you can send a message to me at the castra of the vigiles." @Atrice

As long as they were both asleep, holding on to each other, everything was well. Lucius could have stayed like this forever, even though he knew forever was impossible. The sun will rise, the morning will come, the night would be over, and everything would be real again. "Just go back to sleep." He finally opened his eyes, looking up at Ovinia as she leaned in to rest her forehead against his. She had been more beautiful this night than he'd ever seen her before. He reached up to run his fingers through her hair. "I don't think I want to." @Sara

All the passion had burnt itself out, and now they were both comfortably warm. Lucius had no doubt the desire would return, possibly the moment they were properly awake, but he loved the sleepy kisses, and Ovinia snuggling closer to him. "I'm so happy. And that makes me so sad." Lucius sighed, his chest rising and falling. He felt the same. Never been so happy, and knowing it would not last. "Thank you." "Please don't thank me." he muttered, turning his head to rest his forehead against hers. If she thanked him... it was as if something was ending. He did not want closure yet. "I don't think I can do this..." @Sara

He had kept his promise. He loved her, for that night, it was clear from everything he'd done, and he followed her lead. He'd held her, and kissed her, and touched her, and tasted her, and completely lost himself. There was a blurred line between reality and dream, and he was not even sure when or how he had fallen asleep. It was some time later, in the early hours of the morning, by the time he became aware of his surroundings again. Mostly the warmth, and the scent of Ovinia's skin, and a soft sound she made. He gathered her closer on instinct, knowing somewhere deep down that the moment they were fully awake, the spell would be broken. So instead he tucked her under the blanket against his side, and pressed a kiss to her temple without opening his eyes. @Sara

Alexius looked like he knew what he'd done. He cared for Ovinia, Lucius knew that, and he also was aware that Ovinia would probably kill him if she found out he'd mentioned her name in polite society. And here they were. Alexius didn't need to say anything for Lucius to know he knew he'd messed up. Pinaria knew it too. "Of course her secret is safe with me. You don't have to answer, if it is too much, but... is it long ago, since she was attacked, this... Ovinia? Is she alright?" Well, at least she didn't know Ovinia directly. Less chance she'd tell anyone. And if anyone understood what was at stake, it was a woman in the same situation as Ovinia. "It happened recently." Lucius signed "She... she'll heal. She'll be fine as long as we catch who did it." Hopefully. If she ever talked to him again, he might even find out. "It was her attack that brought all the pieces together. No one paid much attention to the cases before..." @Atrice

"Oh Juno, no - I merely meant that you don't deserve to marry some ancient decrepit Senator who's a breath away from his funeral pyre," "That I agree with" she grinned, raising her glass and splashing a few drops out in libation. If she did marry, the husband was going to be to her liking. "Unless you particularly want to marry said ancient Senator, and inherit everything, in which case, who am I to stop you Though in that case, he probably has sons who will dispute the will, which will drag everything through the law courts for a decade or more to come and leave you with nothing but a few quadrantes and a couple of ancient arthritic slaves." They both laughed. Calpurnia was happy to be in her brother's company; they shared the same kind of humor. "You" Calpurnia arched an amused eyebrow at her brother "Have really put some thought into this." Roman law was never easy to navigate. "So, do you have any plans for your retirement, other than fending off unsuitable suitors foisted on you by our esteemed Titus Augustus when he gets around to it?" "No particular plans" she shrugged "I am just... looking forward to things I have never gotten around to. Socializing more... maybe a bit of travel... Wearing colors." She grinned. "I am sure I'll find something to occupy myself. I could always just buy another barbarian chieftain and free them, if things get boring..." That scandal was still making the rounds in some parts of Roman society. @Sharpie

The girl looked shy, but not uninterested. That was good. Shy, she could work with. Being a body slave was a learning curve, but it had the added bonus of them doing exactly what she wanted them to do, in the way she wanted. And she only had to train them once. I would like to learn. I hope I do not disappoint you Domina. "I am sure you will do your best" Calpurnia smiled at the girl. "We will start easy, don't worry. My brother has already agreed I could choose whomever I liked from the household." And so far, she liked this girl. "So... you can understand me and you can write, but you don't talk. Don't, or can't?" @Jenn

While many victims were forgotten or undiscovered because their lives did not matter much to most people, victims like Pinaria were kept a secret because they had a whole lot to lose. An unmarried Roman woman's reputation was a fragile thing. Lucius understood that all too well. "No one outside the family knows. I'm not even sure all of my sisters know. My son doesn't either. So please... don't spread it further. My brother would prefer that gossip does not spread." Lucius nodded. He knew. It made the whole thing harder, not having anyone with a higher standing to testify against the man. But Pinaria had not seen his face anyway. "That's what Ovinia said too, wasn't it? Or something like that? At least we know. And we're doing something." Lucius jumped, glaring at Alexius, who realized way too late what he had just said. Lucius frowned at him, his hand twitching in frustration. Dammit. The one thing no one was supposed to mention. Ovinia's name. She's gonna murder the both of us. "Alexius..." he sighed, shaking his head. He looked back at Pinaria. "Right. You know that know. I trust you you'll keep her secret, the same we keep yours..." @Atrice

Attis took a step forward, although Metella was not sure what the idiot thought he'd do if Longinus was angered. Still, it was a touching gesture. She kept her eyes on the dominus, who was quiet for an unusually long time. "Right." Metella swallowed. Longinus looked surprised, and none too pleased about the news. But mostly surprised. The silence stretched into eternity before he spoke again. "You can speak to Vitus about an allowance for midwives or... Other women you need to see." Metella sighed. No thunder and lightning. Longinus even managed to crack a smile with his next comment. "But if it comes out looking like him. You have my sympathies." She chuckled too, although she felt a little weak all of a sudden, with the relief of avoiding disaster. She held Attis' hand, and managed to roll her eyes, although it did not come out as sarcastic as usual. "It's bound to, Attis is definitely the father..." @Sharpie @Sara

He wanted her. He wanted her more than anything, and he could have kissed her all night and never got tired of it. She didn't tell him what she wanted... other than him, which was more than enough. He could never grow tired of hearing that either. Lucius smiled against her lips, tugging her closer as he undid her belt. He undressed her carefully, and gods, everything he saw was making his head spin. He wanted to touch her everywhere. And then kiss her in all the same places. Her skin was warm and soft and she fit so well against him. His hands traveled along her curves and his breath grew heavy, as he kissed his way down her neck. "If I do anything you don't want... tell me." He muttered. They were already further gone than any time before. Anything else was her choice. @Sara

January 77CE The stables were not exactly teeming with reading material. Azarion had learned the basics of writing and reading on his own time, but if he wanted to practice, he had to venture outside of his usual stomping grounds. Which is why he rarely ever got around to practicing. Most people had learned his gestures and signs by now, at least the ones he needed to have daily interactions with. As far as letters, he only really encountered them when they were scrawled on the walls. And those walls were everywhere. Azarion was on his way back to the Whites' stables from the forum, where he had purchased some small things for his new harness, when his eyes caught some of the scribbles on a wall. He was in no hurry, so he slowed down, and began to put some of the letters together. How did Romans have so much time to write shit on the walls?... And what did they even have to write about? The first word he managed to piece together was F-U-C-K. Well, that made sense. @Sharpie

The dominus looked busy. And Metella felt like they were children, about to confess to some serious mischief they had done. She rarely ever was on dominus' bad side, and she did not like this feeling at all. It was clear that dominus was annoyed at the interruption, but now they were here, and they could not back out. "What have you two done? And how much is it going to cost me to fix?" Quite a lot... Metella took a deep breath. In the end, it was better if he heard it from her. "Domine, it appears that I am pregnant." @Sharpie @Sara

"I'm not going anywhere." For tonight, he reminded himself. She was not going anywhere for tonight, she was here to stay. She held him, and he only pulled back to lock the door, and pull her further into the room. He smiled at her in the light of the lamps, running his hands through her hair, down the two sides of her face, along her shoulders, admiring her with a dazed smile. His hands landed at her belt, and he hesitated, because this was the threshold they had always stopped at before. He looked at her eyes, searching. "Tell me what you want."

It had seemed like forever until the door opened. Lucius looked up in the light of the lamps, and his heart jumped as he saw Ovinia slip inside. He had not dared to really hope until just now. But she was here, and she looked beautiful in the soft light, even if she hesitated. He crossed the room in two strides and wrapped her in a hug. "You came." Now he just hoped she would decide to stay... @Sara

Lucius let her go ahead, and followed a few minutes later, once everyone way paying attention to the musician and the song. He walked around, skirting the celebrating crowd, and smiled from the shadows, listening to Ovinia sing. She sounded... free. She was having fun. And the audience was loving it. She really had a beautiful voice, but it was not that... it has her sounding like herself. Lucius tapped Marius on the shoulder. "I'm going to bed. Maybe too much wine." He definitely felt drunk. "Have the night off. And the morning." He added with a smile. Marius was holding a cup too, and had a wreath of flowers. He only nodded, smiling in agreement. Once the singing was over, Lucius retired to his room. It would have been odd if they both disappeared at the same time. But now came the waiting. Would she actually come? Would she change her mind? Would she show up, just to tell him she'd changer her mind?... He was not sure he could handle that. The minutes felt like ages. @Sara

There was still some fear in Lucius that Ovinia would realize what was happening, and change her mind. While they kissed, they were drunk on each other, but she had always been careful and skittish about being with him. He just wanted to show her how much he cared, before it all had to end one way or another. "Oviniaaaaa!" "Shit" he echoed her word and her sentiment. He stole one last kiss, but they did need to go, before someone came looking. He stepped back, running a hand through his hair. At least they still looked halfway decent, and fully dressed. Ovinia headed back up the path, pulling him along. They could not show up hand in hand, but he was not ready to let go just yet. He might not get one more chance. Before they turned the low bushes up the path, he tugged on her hand, pulling her closer. He had no right to ask, but he did anyway, in a low voice. "Come to my room after?" @Sara

Ovinia's kiss was more honest than her words. Now that she had given up her worries, at least for one night, he could feel the want in the way she kissed him. The longing, the pleasure. He held her against him and she pulled herself closer. There was a deep ache of desire in his chest, and they kissed until they ran out of air. "What are we doing?" "Whatever we want to." he murmured against her lips. There were so many things he wanted to do. So many parts of her he wanted to kiss. But even so, standing here on the beach, they probably could not stay forever. People would be looking for them.

Pinaria did not have much to add to what they already knew, but that was not her fault. She had not seen her attacker, and the coward ran when someone else showed up. All things pointed to him not wanting to put up a fight at all. Which bode well for their little group hunting him. "What will you do if you find him?" "Depends on what he does." Lucius nodded. Alexius was right. Deep down, they all hoped the man would fight, so that they could take out all the anger on him. "If we catch him, we will make sure he is brought to justice. He has hurt too many people..." he sighed. "Does anyone else know you have been attacked? I am... assuming your family wants to keep it a secret?" @Atrice

Aius laughed as Attis choked on his bite. Cleopatra was a camp follower and a nice woman, but definitely not royalty. "Somewhere warm. Probably most places are warmer than this, Jupiter knows why my master like the place enough to have come back - this is his second term out here. Second or third, something like that." "Patricians will do a lot for a career, huh" she noted, chewing on her piece of bread. She doubted most Roman nobility would have ever come this far if they had not had an opportunity to further their standing in the empire. "Riches and a warmer climate... I'll have to try to persuade my master he wants to try for somewhere out past Egypt next, then. Though I suppose the natives there are just as dangerous as the Britons here." "Natives are dangerous everywhere" Aius chuckled. "So... what would you do with all the riches?" @Sharpie