Sharpie

Rufus and Volusa are always up for interactions with their respective owners, of course. And Aulus is a consul for this year, so perhaps something between him and Octavius? (Blanking on actual ideas and have to vanish to get ready for work but I'll try to come up with something more substantive than let's thread!)

"Become a lawyer, then," Gaius flung back. "Use your status as a patrician to help your plebeian friends when they get dragged to court for whatever stupid reason. There's more options than the cursus honorum if that's so distasteful to you, and your olive seller and his friends might appreciate having someone speak for them who cares about actually helping rather than just ripping them off." He was starting to get a headache. Why did Lucius always manage to do this to him? "Life isn't fair, but it's given you enough privileges, even if you don't want to admit it," he added. "Such as living here rent-free instead of trying to scrape together a few pitiful asses for a room somewhere down in the Suburra." @Chevi

"I wouldn't dream of criticising you," Attis returned. Just look what had happened the last time he'd tried that kind of thing, and gone overboard with it. "You'll wake everyone up!" he added. "Including Cassia," he continued - Longinus might not care about disturbing his slaves but he might not want to wake his daughter. Or his mother. He sighed, shaking his head at his master's retreating back, and went to find Celsus, impervious to the Dacian's muttering as he fumbled for his tunic and sandals. Better he drag his bodyguard around the darkened streets of Rome than Attis, who was by no means a morning person and despised stupid pointless exercise - he got enough of a workout just doing his usual work. @Sara - end or timeskip, I think!

"I'm sure this isn't ow you expected your Roman family to be," Teutus said to Wulfric. He didn't know the precise reasons the other had for coming to Rome, but it must have been a bit of a shock to find that his father was the sort of man that Tertius Quinctilius Varus was - inscrutable, changeable, a man who kept things very close to his chest and then couldn't understand it when those around him didn't react in precisely the way he wanted them to. "Me? No - that's a political thing. I run an import business. It's very small at the moment, but I'm hoping to be able to expand it over the coming months and years," he continued, in answer to Wulfric's question. If talking about that, admitting that, made Tertius in any way uncomfortable, well, that was his own fault for setting this whole evening up and letting Teutus walk in unprepared to find yet another brother here, and a freeborn one at that (even if he was a barbarian!). @Sara @Atrice (Sorry for posting out of order!!)

"And opportunity," Teutus said lightly. Really, the only real reason he'd decided on Hispania as a place to move to was because he had heard that it was a very similar climate to Italia; Britannia was said to be cold and wet all the time, and he rather liked the warm sunshine of Italia. Sunshine had to be vastly preferable to cold grey wetness full of barbarians, anyway. "No, I moved out of my father's home recently - it was just easier if I had my own home," he said. There were other reasons for the move, but running a business such as his from his father's house would be to invite perhaps too much scrutiny. Anyway, he'd lived there all his life and needed his own space, especially after recent events, not that anyone needed to know about his reaction to those. "It's unusual, but then... a lot of things about my life are unusual, I suppose," he added. @Sara

"I don't think you've missed too much," Aulus told the newcomer, turning his head to see that it was Titus Sulpicius Rufus who had joined them. "It makes it more challenging to work out who to bet on, when two fighters are so closely matched despite the apparent advantages each one has," Aulus said to Junius Silanus. The younger man was Longinus' guest, and Aulus did not want to snub him or make him feel unwelcome - he was not unwelcome, after all. Anyway, none of the others were even close to his age and both Aulus' son and Sulpicius Rufus' were younger than him. It was shaping up to be a very interesting fight, more interesting than Aulus had initially feared it would be, the Murmillo against the woman who had two swords instead of a sword and a shield. She seemed quite a formidable opponent, but Lexus was a skilled and experienced fighter and had not won his rudis by allowing himself to be drawn beyond his capabilities. @Sara @Liv @Chevi @Atrice

"Why do you need to be shipped off to... Because we're Roman, not Greek and that's the system we have, that our ruling class - that includes you and me, in case you hadn't noticed - make a name for ourselves on the battlefield and back at home as politicians. And you know as well as I do that each political position only lasts for a year and you have to progress through them all if you want to rise through the ranks. And the way to impress the populace is to be the best damn praetor or quaestor that you can while you have that title." Gaius paused, and pinched the bridge of his nose. At least, he could concede, his brother wasn't a layabout, doing nothing with his time at all. He just wished that Lucius would spend his time in more suitable pursuits, rather than doing the sort of thing any plebeian would do - or even, gods forbid, the sorts of thing you could find a freedman doing. Senators weren't supposed to get involved in trade, or any sort of business dealing at all; they used freedmen and slaves for that sort of thing, so to find that Lucius spent his whole day doing precisely nothing but actively getting involved in trade, and at the lowest most basic level possible...! @Chevi

"Britannia is about the furthest anyone can go and still be in the Empire," Teutus said. The sheer distance made even Britannia seem appealing to him, right now. "It's good for slaves - though the sort who work in the fields rather than the well-trained slaves you have to serve dinner. And wool, for togas and winter tunics, and silver for coins, and other metals like tin and copper." He couldn't see himself becoming a slave trader; he'd leave that to other people. But everything else he'd mentioned would be good to add to his import business - and it would mean that he'd have cargoes in all different ships and all different parts of the empire, so if anything happened to one, it wouldn't be the total ruin of everything. Right now, though, he only had the lease of one ship and needed to expand to more as quickly as he could, to prevent that possibility. "I think it would be worth seeing, even just once - Britannia, I mean. And of course you can have a discount, I will make sure of it personally." There was good reason for the offer, too - gain customers, keep them loyal and other people will want to buy, too. Especially when your customers were Senators' daughters and hopefully their fathers, brothers and husbands. @Sara

"I said not yet - I never said it wouldn't be, ever," Teutus returned with a grin. "Small steps - growing the business is the precise reason I plan on going to visit Hispania Baetica, and other places. There's plenty of money to be made, after all, it'll just take a bit of effort and a bit of time, and soon every other amphora of oil bought in the Forum will have been brought in by me. And while that part of the business is growing, I'll go east, perhaps to Asia or Iudea, where they get the very best purple dyes from for the Imperial family, and the stripes in the Senators' togas." That would be a very good trade to break into, as well - there was a great deal of money to be made there, because of just how expensive it was to produce. He could imagine her father (and his own, come to think of it) owing the purple stripes of their togas to a freedman they had both discounted. That would be something. "Where would you go, given the chance to, though?" he asked, settling back with his wine. She was a very pretty girl, and she would make a good wife for some lucky man. @Sara

"No, it's not that big, not yet, I've only just started it in the last few months." The questions she was asking now seemed far more genuine, born of actual curiosity, than the questions and conversation they had just been having. "Yes, I think so - and other places. I need to source producers and maybe buyers and various other links in the chain. It would be one reason to see more of the Empire, at least - I've never left Italia before, ever." Though speaking of travelling around the Empire was hardly fair when Ovinia might never leave. That sort of thing very much depended on her future husband and his career and whether he wanted to take his wife with him to wherever he was posted. @Sara

"Another brother," Teutus filled in, speaking flatly. In any other situation, he would be intrigued by the barbarian who looked so much like Tertius, and considerably more friendly. It wasn't his fault, it wasn't, it couldn't be - how could anyone be responsible for the circumstances of their birth, after all? He couldn't retrieve this situation of his father's making - the fact that this Wulfric even existed, and the bow-string tight tension in the room could both equally be laid at Tertius' feet, though he'd never accept responsibility for any of it. He wanted to apologise but didn't know if he could find the words, or if Wulfric would even understand them if he could work out what to say, and quietly slipped into his place. It was not lost on him that he finally had a place next to Tertius, though it would only be here, for this meal, and he would never have that place when it came to wider society. Not that this Wulfric would, either, being what he was - but then, he probably wouldn't need it or know what do with it if it was offered to him. "I am sorry that you've ended up in the middle of..." he glanced around the small gathering and shrugged. It wasn't Wulfric's fault, and he would try to be nice to him, despite everything - and he didn't think he'd be able to eat anything. @Sara @Atrice

"No, you are a consummate peacemaker, Ovinia - that is a good skill to have," Teutus said, and reached for his wine-cup. "You sing? I am almost ashamed to admit I have no musical talents whatsoever, but I do enjoy listening to others play, or sing, as the case may be." The mood had lightened, now that they were clear where they each stood - as clear as they could be, anyway. "The games are not bad, though I think prefer the races, personally - there is something to be said for the speed as well as the skill of the drivers." He sipped his wine. "I said I am in trade. I import olive oil and other goods - the very best olive oil comes from Hispania Baetica, and we can't produce as much oil as we consume here in Italia. I hope to venture out into other things, but it's a very small concern right now." He shrugged. @Sara

He was not fool enough to sit back down where he'd been sitting, and do anything would even hint at damaging her reputation. "Of course we can be friends," he said, choosing a seat across from her, and gave her an even look. "How would you like the rest of this conversation to go - we have hardly been quarrelling, have we?" He lifted his own eyebrow in return, she was not going to intimidate him, no matter what she might try. He gave her a level look; whatever report reached Tertius, Teutus was not in for an easy ride. He hadn't ever had that, why should things change now? "I am sorry," he said, in case she did think they'd been quarrelling. He was sorry anyway, she deserved much better than this sorry excuse for a conversation. "So, what do you like to do with your time, apart from putting self-absorbed fools in their place?" @Sara

"I have said nothing that is news to either of us," Teutus said, getting up and moving away from her. "We know my status, and yours. Therefore, we both know a marriage between us is unlikely to take place, no matter what we might think, or desire to the contrary." He had heard the tone of voice in which Gaius Ovinius Camillus had addressed him, and knew that he had been admitted to the house under sufferance. "You are a charming young woman, very beautiful and no doubt vivacious, the life and soul of any party you attend. You will marry well and all Rome shall hear your name and that of your husband - no doubt he will have a great many victories on the battlefield and shall make a glorious name for himself in the political sphere. I am in trade, which is not something a man of your father's lineage would countenance his daughter marrying into. My father is a senator, a praetor, and has hopes and dreams for me that are unlikely to be fulfilled as I am not of the same status, and am unworthy to court you." He had tried to let her down gently, but it seemed she was having none of it. Well, he had tried, at least. @Sara

Welcome to AeRo! I have to say, your English is miles better than my Slovenian, which is non-existent! This is a fun place to be, and you're not the first ESL/EFL member, not by a long way (though I am English and sadly monoglot).

"When did you ever hear me say you're an idiot, O my Master?" Attis asked, straightening up and finding that his left foot had gone to sleep because he'd been squatting for too long. He might think Longinus was an idiot, but he wasn't fool enough to come right out and say so - saying that would lead to being sent out to the villa with the steward given explicit instructions to put him to work in the fields. Or being sold to Sulpicius Rufus. Or any of a dozen other things. Better the Dacian than the Attis, in Attis' opinion. He took a moment to stretch, and took two steps towards the door into the house, to find the dog following him, and paused. "No - you stay here. See if your daddy want you to wash his face, maybe?" @Sara

Aulus looked up from his scroll at Horatia's quiet cough, and smiled. She was leaning against a column (she must have been there a little while befpre drawing his attention), dressed as simply as she always did when it was just the two of them, in a plain tunica, with a palla draped around her against the chill. "Not Dacia," he said. "Caesar's Gallic Wars." He moved to set the scroll aside; Horatia deserved his full attention, after all. "Are you feeling warmer now?" he asked, making room for her if she wanted to join him on the bench. @Sara

"I think that sounds admirable," Teutus said, and set his cup down, taking a breath. "I hope... I do hope you find him, because I think we both know that this isn't going to be allowed to happen, not you and me. My father... I think my father is deluding himself that I can be like any son of any of his friends, and do exactly what they can, can marry anyone they could, and it isn't going to happen. I'm sorry you got dragged into this, you deserve far better." He would have to have another conversation with Tertius, to try to make him understand that no matter what he felt about it (and Teutus never quite knew what his father felt, or thought, about things) that he would do far better to let Teutus find a wife for himself among the plebeians he now lived among, or perhaps a freedwoman somewhere - and there were women in situations similar to Teutus' own, who had been long-serving slaves to a mistress and had been rewarded with their freedom for that long service. @Sara

"Looks like you're in the middle, Didia," Rufus said, finding Theo's hand stroking over his own as it rested on Didia's hip. He took both of Didia's hands and pulled her arms around himself, not caring where her hands went, even as he bent his head to give her a kiss, the first one they had ever shared. It somehow felt right to feel Theo's breath on his cheek as he did so, and he wrapped one arm around Didia and sought Theo's hand with his own free hand, pressing Didia between the two of them. "I think I'm in love, with you both," he murmured. "How does a man get so lucky?" @Sara @Chevi

"It's Saturnalia," Teutus pointed out. "You have every right not to have me disturb you - I am not going to make you leave just so I can have a conversation that can wait until after the holiday anyway." She had enough to deal with from Teutus' father, he wasn't going to make it worse for her. "I'll find you after the festival, Alexius - I'm sorry I interrupted you both," he said. "You don't have to leave on my account, Charis." She was between him and the door. "Stay. Enjoy yourselves - it's Saturnalia. Excuse me, please." He was going to go and find a wine-bar and have a drink or three. He needed them, and had no desire to head home for some time. @Atrice @Sara

"Am I your first prospect, Teutus?" "Yes," he admitted, and took a mouthful of wine - it was not as good as his father's best vintage, but wasn't by any means the worst that he'd tasted. You're probably not the last girl I will be introduced to with a view of a potential marriage, but eventually my father will have to admit that none of his fellow Senators will marry their daughters to a common freedman, he added in the privacy of his own thoughts. "I am sure your interests are far more grown-up than those of a twelve-year-old," he said instead. "And you have just told me your age, so I don't need to ask that, and as I have never fought in a single battle in my entire life, nor am I ever likely to, I don't have anything to boast about there." Her question was a startling one, and he couldn't help laughing. If she had been trying to lighten his mood, she had succeeded admirably. "You are the first person to ask me that, Ovinia Camilla," he told her. If things were a little different, perhaps they might make a good match, but things were what they were. "I'm not sure. I can't have a political career, so I don't need a wife who would be happy to marry a politician. Someone who would be capable of running a home, of course. Someone with ideas, who I could talk to." He shrugged. That was unlikely to happen, of course. He suddenly realised that what he really wanted, more than anything, would be someone he could consider a friend, which was even more unlikely, given the status women had in Rome - or, rather, their lack of status. "What about you - what sort of man would you like to marry?" he asked, in an attempt to deflect her attention from him. Women liked talking about themselves, of course - if he'd learned anything from Antonia Varia and Charis, it was that. @Sara

"There is nothing wrong with it, if you were a plebiean or even an equite," Gaius returned, trying to keep his temper in check - he did not need to start shouting or anything just because his brother was being all sorts of wrong-headed. "But you're not, you're patrician, the son of a senator and brother of a senator, and you are supposed to set an example and be a leader of men. You're more than old enough to take a position as a tribune somewhere - it would give you the chance to do something worthwhile, and to get your hands dirty if you choose, and make a name for yourself. My old legate doesn't currently have a legion but I can find somewhere for you with men just as good as he is." It felt like banging his head on the wall, or trying to get blood from a stone, yet surely, surely, Lucius would see the sense in what he was suggesting. @Chevi

"Well, there's one traditional employment that my brother is good at, then," Gaius replied. Farming was one occupation that even Senators could turn to and not be looked down for, unlike most of Lucius' pastimes. Nobody had thought any less of Cincinnatus returning to the plough after serving Rome in time of need, after all - in fact, he was upheld as a great example for doing so rather than holding on to the title of Dictator for any longer than absolutely necessary. And it had been the fields not the kitchens from which he had been summoned. Why Lucius couldn't content himself with suitable pastimes was a question to which Gaius just did not have an answer. He reached to help himself to some dates, signalling that his brother and their guests could begin eating. @Chevi @Sara

"I think your father doesn't like me," Teutus said, echoing his hostess' gesture and reaching for his own cup, though he didn't drink from it just yet. "Where do these conversations usually start?" He gave a small shrug. Ovinia's father could not be more aware of Teutus' drawbacks than Teutus himself was - and why Tertius had thought Teutus would make a suitable husband for a senator's daughter was a question Teutus couldn't begin to answer. Probably yet another way Tertius was deluding himself, if the truth were known. He seemed to think that Teutus could be or do anything he chose to do, yet Teutus was amply aware that he could not - he wasn't even officially Tertius' son, when all was said and done, not according to the law and holding the rights of a freeborn son. Because he wasn't a freeborn man, something Teutus was sure Tertius worked hard to forget because it was simply an inconvenience to remember and to face the truth of the matter. Ovinia was out of his reach, but that didn't mean that he couldn't have an enjoyable conversation with her. If only he had any real knowledge of what nice, freeborn, high-status unmarried girls of her age liked to do! Would it hurt to admit his ignorance? Perhaps not. "I'm sorry. My only real knowledge of what you might be able, or willing, to talk about is what my younger sister likes to do, and she is only twelve," he said, cupping his hands around the cool bronze of the goblet he was holding. @Sara

"They are evenly matched, despite appearances," Aulus said to his son - and anyone else who was listening in. "She may be a woman, but Lexus is past his prime and has returned to the sands just for this match. They are both well-trained, but her lightness and lack of strength is countered by his slowness and age - not that he is old. He is merely older than is usual among active fighters." Aulus' attention was on the two gladiators below them on the sand, rather than any of the barely-dressed women in the seats nearby. If anyone else of his guests preferred to watch the girls make utter fools of themselves by draping, practically nude, over the seats, that was their look-out - though he kept a surreptitious eye on his son. It would be time soon enough for Titus to become a man, it would be nice to have an idea where his tastes leaned, to be able to get the right sort of girl for him when it came down to it. @Sara @Atrice @Liv @Chevi