Chevi

"Give us space to work." The medicus ordered, with no time to be courteous. "Careful!" They lifed Lucius from the stretcher to the bed. He looked all red and grey and black, covered in ash, soot, and drying blood. The medicus gave orders for water, clean cloth, and bandages, and more lights; the servants ran to fulfill them, while the vigiles stepped back, looking worn and worried. They were covered in dirt too, and at a loss of what to do, until Marius ushered them out of the room.

Lucius laughed at the detailed fantasy. Everyone was allowed to dream, or daydream, of better times. He could picture her, all regal, decked out in jewels. The look suited her. The smile did too. "Remind me never to get on your bad side." He mutterd, closing his eyes.

"I do run this whole household. Didn't you notice before...this, how you had fresh flowers in all your rooms every day? And that the food had started to get better?" Lucius smiled. The servants probably did not let her boss them around that much, but at least now she took pride in the small things she could contribute. And honestly, the domus did miss a woman's touch. "And here I was thinking Marius was being a romantic." "Not just a pretty face. My mother was unwell for some time so I... Ran my fathers domus for the most part. I..." That made sense. Ovinia had been raised to one day become a matron in a domus just like this. Or rather, even bigger and much more fancy. No wonder she felt out of place, running errands instead of ordering them. "Wonder what it would feel like to be free but be a poor freedwoman. I like managing this sort of house but a room in an insula? No thank you." "You'd run the whole insula." Lucius chuckled, closing his eyes. Lying in the sun was getting to him too, making him sleepy. "You could still live here if you were freed... all the others do." He added with a yawn.

"It's better than sweeping though, I grant you. And did you not like the tunica I made?" "It was fabulous. I'm saving it for a special occasion." Lucius chuckled. The special occasion probably being something after his own funeral. They were silent for a while before he spoke again. For a moment he thought she'd dozed off. "Why did you have to make this a serious conversation... I know. I believe you now." She must have realized she was the only slave in the house for a reason. Lucius sighed. At least he had her trust, even if he could do precious little about it. "You could speak to the Emperor. It's been a few months now. Maybe his mood has settled?... Else you'll have to outlive me and try and stay out of danger at work. I'm not going to be sold to anybody else." "Aww. Starting to realize what a treasure I am?" Lucius grinned up at her, before the conversation got too heavy. "I will talk to him, when the time is right. Probably won't be for a while, though. The city still needs a lot of restoration." He sighed. "Until then, you just have to keep pretending you run this whole household. Gods know I gave up trying."

"Gardens? A country boy, of course. Don't you find it dull out there?" "Dull? Never. Peaceful, though." He smiled. The villa was equal to his childhood, some of the best years of his life, in his mind. He loved the city too, but it was different. Ovinia did not seem very impressed. "Then again, if you went you could take me with you. Nobody needs to know I'm a slave in the country." Lucius sighed. She was joking, but he knew she wished things could be different. She had more freedom than most slaves of the same fate. But her life would never be the same. "Feminine arts? And what do you suppose those would be? Or do you know nothing of women?" "Oh, I know a few things." Lucius grinned, and left it at that. He was not as adventurous as other men of his rank, maybe, but he did visit the Venus, and then Vibia's house, whenever he had the time and the funds. "I used to like music a lot, and seeing my friends and parties. I hated weaving." Well, that sounded like Ovinia. "Yeah, I know. The others asked me not to make you do that anymore, because it is a waste of yarn." He grinned up at her. The household servants were beginnig to like her, but that did not stop the teasing. They were quiet for a bit, before Lucius spoke again, more quietly. "You know I'd free you if I could."

"No, I don't play instruments." He admitted. Those were usually reserved for plebeians, and maybe highly educated women. He chuckled at her list of 'manly arts'. "I don't hunt. Or wrestle. I mean I did, it was part of our training to learn to fight bare handed, but it's not exactly a pastime." He smirked. "I enjoy the gardens, when I have the time. I haven't visited my family's villa in ages, but I miss it." Hr glanced up at her. "How about you and the... feminine arts?" Well, that came out wrong.

"A romance perhaps, it might help. I think Marius likes me," Lucius scoffed with laughter, and the sound was echoed by Marius who had no doubt overheard the comment, and thought it was ridiculous. Ovinia laughed. It was a strange sound, and Lucius realized she had not done that for... quite a while. He noted the wince, though. Her ribs still had to hurt a lot. "O-or, something on music, if you have anything? I remember a book from when I was a girl, it was about composition and the Greek musicians." "Why would you want to read about music?" He blinked, peering up at her. "Isn't that something people would rather... do?"

"Insolent but injured, so it's really more amusing than annoying, I'm sure." "Eh..." Lucius chuckled, making an ambivalent gesture. She was amusing, when she was not a complete pain in the ass. Sometimes. "Mhm. Have you been doing your exercises?" "Oh no, you do not get to ask that right now." he noted, poking at the pillows surrounding her. If she could disregard the medicus' orders, so could he. Also... she was apparently reading one his books. "It is. I'm not much of a reader normally, but it's better than sewing or just laying in bed. It's not very good. It's about some tribe in Gaul. I think." "You really must be bored." Lucius sighed, and then unceremoniously pulled a pillow from under her feet, lying down in the grass next to the bench. "I am sorry my library is not up to your standards. What would you rather read?" @Sara

"They refused. If they were slaves I'd have recommended that you whip them for their insolence." She had dragged the pillows out here and walked out alone. Lucius rolled his eyes, taking a seat on the edge of the nest. "You do realize you are being the most insolent of all of them, right?" Not that he was going to whip her, or anyone. She knew that. "I was going out of my mind in there." Lucius gave her a look. She had made such a fuss about that room, and so far she had not been very enthusiastic about it. "How are you feeling, domine?" "I am feeling fine" he was not back to normal, but that was to be expected. He arched an eyebrow at her. "Is that one of my books?" @Sara

"No man wants a woman he likes to send him away." Well, he could say that again. Lucius frowned. There was nothing much he could do about this, if she decided she did not want to see him again. But holding her, just before that, still haunted him... Alexius decided to drag him back to reality. "I don't think we're going to solve this issue with wine though. So... what else? Oh, you talked about leads! On the beast we're hunting?" "True. This needs water." he sighed, raising his cup. He could not keep downing thick wine if they wanted to get work done. And he was grateful for the distraction. "Yes. Leads. I went to the vigiles offices in the other regios, and found some more attacks. One of them is a noble woman. And I actually know her." He frowned. He had not been aware that Pinaria Gaia had been attacked, too. @Atrice

It had been a week, and wounds were healing slowly. Lucius and Ovinia were both still sporting dark bruises, but the worst danger had passed; the medicus said they would both make full recovery. Except for Lucius' arm, of course, but that was no news; he was wearing it in a sling again, since the fight where he had thrown his shoulder at his opponents. He still spent a lot of time watching over Ovinia. The servants helped with the nursing tasks (she would not have let him carry or support her, even if he could with one arm), but he still checked on her regularly, sitting by her bed, bringing in food and drinks. She hated lying still, he knew that. He would bring in news for her about his men searching for the attackers, or read to her when he had the time. Today, however, getting home from a visit to the barracks, he did not find her in her room. "Ovinia?" What had happened? He hurried back out of his room, looking around, and almost ran into Marius. "She's in the gardens, domine." "What?" Marius shrugged. Lucius sighed, rolling his eyes, and headed to the gardens. Ovinia was, indeed, there, in a nest built from pillows, reading, as if she was the mistress of the house, and not a slave. Still, she was out in the sunshine, pale and bruised, but comfortable. Lucius sighed, shaking his head with an amused smile. "Tell me someone carried you out here." @Sara

End of the year, 75AD Calpurnia was accompanied by a procession of servants on her way to her brother's domus. She was glad that he'd agreed to host her, for the time being (which, if it was up to her, would be quite a long time). It was a day of firsts: the first time she was outside, wearing a civilian's stola rather than the Vestal veils. The first time she walked the streets as a Roman maiden (the thought made her smile) rather than a Vestal Virgin. The first time she would be visiting her brother with the intention to stay. The first time she would live with her family since she was nine years old. It was a strange thought, after thirty years of service at the Vestal House, to return to society as a civilian woman. She wondered what her family would think now. On her part, she was feeling elated. Cheerful, even. She got out of the litter the moment the domus came into view, and walked up to the door herself, dressed in a sky-blue stola and a matching palla in a darker shade. Now that she was allowed to wear them, she planned on wearing a lot of colors. "Tell my brother I am here" she told the slave at the doors. She needed no introduction. @Sharpie @Sara

Did it really matter? Saturnalia had been a different time. Everything was possible during Saturnalia. And now they were back to normal, and Ovinia was angry at him for some mysterious reason. Well, that was kind of normal too. Alexius had a different point of view. "But she did not hate the kiss and that matters, Lucius. So, I think she does like you, but... Maybe it's because she knows she shouldn't like you? She is very aware of her own status and what her duty is, to her family. It's hard to make her admit she has any other hopes for her future. Trust me, I talked to her too." Lucius smiled a sad smile, and drank some more. Ovinia was not wrong, to resist having hopes and dreams. In her position, most of them would never come true anyway. Including... whatever they had together. Alexius knew her well. "Question is, how much do you want her?" "Apparently, more than I thought." Lucius sighed. He had not really admitted that to himself either. "It's not... it's not that I want her. Well, not just that. When she was attacked... it scared me. I want her to be safe. And cared for... The woman drives me up the walls, more times than not, but today, she sent me away like I've done something wrong and I just can't... I don't want that." None of it made sense, but hey, he was two cups of wine in. @Atrice

Attis tucked her into bed, and Metella curled up, trying to keep the world from spinning. In her miserable state, she was really grateful that he cared for her. She closed her eyes, her breathing slowly calming, and waited until he came back with some water and a clean basin. "Are you feeling any better?" "A little?" Metella muttered. She pushed herself to sit up, and blinked. "Oof. Still spinning." What on earth was happening? "It's like... the bad kinda drunk. But I'm not drunk." @Sharpie

Alexius would keep his secret. Somehow, he knew that. He was bodyguard to Ovinia, so it was his entire job to protect her. From harm, of any kind. He also did not seem very shocked by Lucius' admission. "Just one kiss? You don't seem the type to force kisses on young ladies. So she wanted the kiss?" "She..." All I want to do is for you to kiss me again. Lucius squeezed his eyes shut, frowning. These memories needed to stop. "Yes. We... yes. She did. At the time anyway." he sighed. "It was Saturnalia. But I didn't kiss her because of that. Not really. But now... now she thinks I did." @Atrice

"How do you know she doesn't want you to? Have you told her?" "Have I told..." Lucius scoffed, shaking his head with a sad smile. All of it was a mess. He didn't even know how to explain it. He drank, and looked up at Alexius, seeing the genuine interest in his face. He sighed. "If I tell you, you have to swear on Dis you will never tell anyone. Because if you do, the barber's gonna be the least of our problems, because Ovinia will murder the both of us. She's capable." She had chosen violence more than once, dealing with Lucius. He waited for Alexius' confirmation before he went on. "I've kissed her." It sounded so foolish now. @Atrice

Well, at least he was smiling. Or grinning. Either was better than sulking back into the ludus with his tail between his legs. That would have hurt him in the next fights. Thessala handed him the wine. Small gesture, but small gestures went a long way. "I wish. Back untae Madam cranky-pants changes her mind agin." So, he was back for the foreseeable future. "I've got more wine" she nodded towards the bench in the shade. "Thanks. And aye, t'is Aeneas. Thessala, right?" "The one and only" she smiled, walking ahead of him. "So, what have you done that sent you back here? Old lady couldn't keep up in bed or something?" @Sarah

Nia looked sacred, and backed away from her. Aia stopped, not trying to freak her out any more than she already had. She had a fresh scar... "No, no! No it was a nail. As I said. Please. Leave it be. It was a nail." It was definitely not a nail. "You cannot tell anybody your...suspicions, because that is what they are. I know secrets to. I can't imagine your clients would look kindly on you sleeping with a Praetorian. Or your praetorian's superiors." Aia smiled a little. As if anyone gave a shit about a praetorian sleeping with someone. Sure, her clients might... but she wasn't too worried about that. And in the end, she was still someone who had helped save an imperial princess from bandits. "It wouldn't work. But I don't blame you. I know you must be scared." She certainly looked it. "I wouldn't tell anyone regardless, I'm not an idiot. But you clearly came over here to ask... if you need help, I can help." @Sara

Alexius refilled the cup without asking. For someone who made a living from fighting, he sure had a knack for reading people. Lucius had ideas about plans and steps and logistics, but Alexius was holding the mismatched group together. Including, as things stood right now, Lucius himself. He winced, then Alexius said he cared for Ovinia. He was too upset to flat-out deny out. So he drank some more. "I do. Even though she clearly doesn't want me to." @Atrice

"That sounds...lovely. I hope I find that feeling one day. And find somebody who feels the same." She looked... sad. Poor little trapped bird. It was hard to imagine she did not already have a secret crush on someone. But it was very unlikely she would ever get as lucky as Aia had. "Well, if you do... fight for him." she said "It's worth it. Unless it's Alexius. Alexius a treat for the people." she added with a smirk. The scar... the scar made sense. Aia was slowly piecing the picture together. "The stupid slaves... They left a nail in the doorframe. My brother pushed me into it and... The medicus said it would heal soon enough, and it's nothing compared to being stabbed with a sword in Britannia." Yes, no, all of that was a whole big cart of bullshit. Aia's smile disappeared as she floated closer, giving the girl a serious look. She was shorter than Nia, but right now, she mae up for the height difference. "Was it him?" she asked quietly. "Is that why you asked?... does Alexius know?" @Sara

"I'm friends with him. But friends, just friends. Although... He's told me similar." "He would." Aia chuckled. Alexius... got around. And from what she could tell, no one was really complaining about it. The entire city of Rome was happy to share the ex-gladiator with a heart of gold and... other body parts of equal value. The girl seemed a little... sad, talking about choices. She would have to wait until marriage, most likely arranger by her family. And if she found out the match was shit on her wedding night... it would already be too late. Sometimes Aia was glad her life had taken the path it did. "I will find out one day I'm sure.... How did you know he was the right person?" Aia smiled softly at the question. "It took me a while. I mean, he was my best friend before that, he had my back whatever happened, he cared for me when I was injured... but in the end, he figured it out first. After we both almost died in an attack." she added, glancing down at her shoulder. She still had the marks of that fight, even though Decimus had carried the brunt of it. From her own shoulder, Aia glanced over at the girl, and tilted her head. "... I'm not the only one with scars." she noted more quietly. "That looks recent." @Sara

The girl almost drowned in embarrassment at Aia's words. Bless her. Aia laughed, wiping the water out of her eyes. So innocent. She had to be a patrician. Those people guarded their daughters like they guarded their treasures. Maybe more. "Well... I...I am sure you will be happy." "We already are" Aia smiled softer. Married or not, her life with Decimus was lovely. "I mean, I'm afraid I wouldn't know but I'm sure it will be worth the wait... I'm sorry...I don't know what to say to something like that. And certainly don't have the words in Greek." Aia chuckled at the girl's embarrassment. Of course she wouldn't have the words. Poor girl was probably waiting for a husband to even think about any of that. "Well, here are some words. Sex is great, with the right person. Totally worth it. I doubt marriage can improve on that." Probably no one has ever told her any of that before. "I'm surprised you wouldn't... I mean, you are friends with Alexius, aren't you?" @Sara

"No, no she doesn't. Well...she might do... She's a friend of a friend more than anything...I know her via another friend, Alexius?" "No shit" Aia arched an eyebrow, surprised more than anything. This was the way she had to find out, from some rich girl at the baths, that Alexius and Didia had been involved in something so dark?... Right next door? Also, how was this girl friends with Alexius? Unless... unless she was friends with Alexius. Oh. "That would be kind, thank you...if he could tell the vigiles if he finds out what he knows that would be useful, I'm sure. But...you have done well. A praetorian is a good catch. Is he near the end of his service? So you can marry?" "I'll see what I can do." She'd have to tell Decimus when he got home. And then they would have to go talk to Alexius and Didia. The vigiles... that could wait. She smiled a little at the compliment, even though it came out a bit patronizing. She already knew the girl did not hear what she was saying. "Well... he's got some years left, but we are hoping for a special permission. So we can see if married sex is better than the other kind." she added with a grin. She was a plebeian. No one gave a shit. Except maybe patricians. @Sara

"A friend. Didia." "Wait, Didia?" Aia blinked. She knew a Didia. She lived in the same insula. "She sells fruit and vegetables?" "It seems that way... Mainly women it seems. I just thought... The vigiles are looking into it though. So we'll obviously all be completely safe...in about fifty years when they catch him." Oh, this woman had it out for the vigiles. At least they shared that one across social lines. Aia did not trust them either as far as she could throw them, and the praetorians had a long-standing distrust against them, although Decimus was generally mild and good-natured about it. "Bad experience with the vigiles?" she ventured with a smirk. "My h... my partner, he's a praetorian. I can see if he knows anything." @Sara

"That is...so exciting. I...have wanted to travel since I was a girl. You got to go to Britannia. What was it like?" "Cold" Aia smiled. "And very green." The girl was naive, but she seemed genuine. It was not her fault she had probably never been outside of the city. At least she was not malicious about people who were... not from Italia. But Aia still wondered about her true motivations. "Oh. No, it was nothing I...had a friend, is all. Who...well...there is a man in Rome that is hurting people. With a knife and I saw your scars and wondered...but you have a much better story." Aia's smile faltered as she arched an eyebrow. The way the girl talked, how she switched to Greek, and what she said... "A friend?" she asked quietly. She was looking at scars on other people, trying to find... a man who was hurting people? "Someone is attacking people with a knife?" Not that it was unheard of inside the city, but... someone doing it on a regular basis, without being caught? @Sara