Sharpie

He was glad she'd be all right should anything disturb the peace of the city. As for himself, well... "I'll be alright," he said, though he couldn't be completely sure of that. "I don't know - but things aren't likely to end up like that. Quintus Caesar is a good emperor, there's no need for anyone to revolt. He's got a firm grip on the reins, and there isn't the sort of space for power-hungry people to rise to the top." He hoped, anyway. Slaves in his position were expected to be loyal to the death. There wasn't the instability that would lead to riots and revolts and coups and civil war, so it was unlikely Rufus would face that kind of test. He could hope, anyway. "I'd ask if anyone's caught your eye but I wouldn't want to pry, or to embarrass you," he said. "So, let's talk about something else if you'd rather." @Sara

Jupiter's cock! Attis had screwed up by just simply mentioning that period of time, and screwed up badly, judging by the suddenly stony expression on his master's face. Never mind that his master was the one to bring the topic of Metella's moods up in the first place. Attis was the slave, Attis had screwed up. Quod erat demonstrandum, legatus1. "Thelo na gamiso ti mitera sou," he parroted obediently. It probably meant something like "I like screwing boys", or worse, but he'd play along for now, if it'd improve his master's temper. If anything could improve his master's temper. At least Longinus wasn't the sort to lash out physically at his slaves - one small mercy, for which Attis was grateful. "Apologies, domine," he said, firmly resolving never to mention that particular period again even jokingly. Not if he wanted to come out of this with his skin intact - Titus Sulpicius Rufus being a very long way away from where they both were, Longinus probably would resort to the lash if he needed to punish Attis while they were out here. @Sara 1. "Which was to be proved, legate."

"If the slaves think they will get away with... whatever they want to get away with, they'll find they're very much mistaken," Aulus told her. His love and pride in his wife did not mean that he had grown soft-hearted to everyone around him - Rome was not a place where soft-hearted people thrived, at least if they had any political aspirations. Aulus knew how to be merciful and how to be severe, and when to be each (at least, he hoped he had the wisdom to know when each was applicable). "I would not dream of letting you down, little fox," he told her. She cold be just as ruthless and ambitious in her own way, although it was perhaps less evident in Horatia. She was not known for being the vicious catty sort of woman who would thrust her way to the top, dragging her husband along whether he wanted or not. Horatia Justina had her own aspirations for herself and her family, and that they were aligned with Aulus' just made the pair of them more potent. Neither of them had aspirations to the purple; they had seen enough bloodshed and instability to satisfy anyone and Quintus Augustus had their whole-hearted support. Naked ambition was not something that Aulus would be known for. @Sara

"Probably," Teutus allowed, pouring himself another cupful of wine, most of which ended up in the cup although some of it didn't. "Secret'ries don't fight much. I could stab someone with my stylus if I needed to, I s'pose." He had less wine left than he'd planned because he hadn't planned on sharing it. Oh well, it was still enough to get pleasantly buzzed, if not fall-down drunk. He hoped he might go a bit beyond just buzzed, though. "You got brains, though," he added. Just because a man was mostly muscle didn't mean he couldn't think, and Teutus did want someone else to bounce ideas off. Not that he couldn't give orders but it would be nice to have someone point out weaknesses, or come up with things Teutus hadn't thought of. @Atrice

"Let me guess... that was while I was away enjoying your friend's hospitality, domine?" And if Longinus couldn't have guessed why Metella was gloomy at that point, he was more dense than Attis thought. "Swearing in Greek, how very cultured. I just need to remember to swear to Zeus not Jupiter when I stub my toe, or weep to Aphrodite rather than Venus when I get snubbed by the girl next door." Attis knew his master too well. "Asking for a cup of wine at a popina would be my preferred language lesson, but as it please my master." @Sara

"I love you, too," he told her, blue eyes meeting blue. "I could never have expected to be as fortunate in my wife as I have been." They had come close, so close, to it not lasting at all, especially with the civil war coming when it had and pulling them apart for so many years. It had taken time and effort to come back from that, but come back they had. A slave timidly poked his head around the door, to be met with a stern, "Later!" from his master. "I am so very proud to be able to call you my wife," he said to Horatia as the slave gulped, turned and fled. @Sara

Rufus grinned. "I'm glad you're not most people, Duda Nonia," he told her, carefully stowing his one aureus away where nobody would get at it. "If there's another civil war, you'll do all right, I'm sure - the people who don't are the senators who get caught up in everything. At least, from what I can work out, that's how it goes." He was sure she'd find someone who would treat her right. He hoped she would, anyway. She was too thoughtful and kind a person not to, after all. "I'm sorry he wasn't right, he must have been an idiot not have treated you the way you deserve," he told her. @Sara

Of course the Dacian was going to do her best to cast a damper on the whole festival, sitting there bolt upright with her arms folded and a scowl on her face. Whatever the master was ladling out smelt... interesting, as though he'd just added herbs and spices because they'd been in his reach in the kitchen. Oh well, it was his money at the end of the day. He adjusted his own position - reclining to eat felt odd - and accepted the bowl and spoon given to him. Well, whatever was in the bowl was hot, at least, judging by the steam coming off it. "Io Saturnalia!" he said, shifting his feet so his couch mate could tear a chunk off a loaf of bread, seeming to prefer to dip that than try with a spoon. "We could always make you taste it first, but that's hardly in keeping with the season," he told Zia, dipping his spoon and blowing the steam off before taking a cautious sip. @Liv @Chevi @Ejder @Sara

Well, if Longinus wanted to trade Attis in for a more cultured model, he was in the perfect place to do it - all the best educated and most cultured slaves came from Greece. "I'll spend my day off wandering around the forum gawping at temples, then, domine. I might get a bit of culture then," he said,very carefully not pointing out what he'd just been thinking about. "I just said I wasn't going to go and waste my time and money in a brothel. Who knows what I'd catch there, after all." If he hadn't mentioned brothels, it was ten to one that his master would have. Attis had just got there first. "I couldn't fake my way as a patrician anywhere, anyway," he added. "They'd start rattling things off in Greek expecting all that culture you want me to have, and I can barely say I'm looking for a wine shop." @Sara

"You might not have asked, but that's what friends do, and I don't want you to think I'm some selfish... bastard who wouldn't return the favour," Teutus pointed out. "We'll have to talk about this going into business thing when I'm sober again," he added. "It'll be good to have a partner from the beginning - and I won't make you do any reading or writing if you don't want. I'm my father's secretary. At least, I used to be, so I'm used to doing all sorts of reading and writing stuff." And Alexius seemed to be a good sort of man, who'd easily earn his fair share of whatever profits they made. If any. @Atrice

(November 74) Granted, Rome was not as cold as the wastes of Britannia, but Attis had still wrapped his warmest cloak - his only cloak, were the truth known! - around himself as he took full advantage of the afternoon off his master had granted him, and headed out of the house, wandering wherever he took a fancy. He could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times he'd had the opportunity to do that, and still have three fingers left over. Today, apparently, his feet wanted to explore the Forum Boarium, so he headed down the hill, past the packed insulae on the lower slopes of the Aventine, passing the Circus Maximus (no races today, apparently, or he might have gone in and watched the carnage of the chariots) and crossed the Aqua Appia to the traders, hawkers and general crowds of humanity in the Forum Boarium. He stopped to buy something to eat from a hot food stall, and let his attention be captured by a group of street performers in their gaudy costumes and painted masks, purporting to tell the story of Alexander the Great, or somebody - he missed the introduction over the sounds of the crowd. @Echo

Marcus had been watching the mute stableboy's progress and training, both in person (when he could) and via reports from Varica and others responsible for various aspects of training and care of the horses. Today he had deemed the boy far enough along in his training that it was time he actually raced another charioteer, although he was not yet ready for the full spectacle of a big race. This would be a private race between the mute and Marcellus, a freedman whose career had started out in much the same way as Marcus' before him, racing the two-horse bigae. Marcellus was one of those charioteers whose cockiness was based in real skill and talent. He might rub people up the wrong way sometimes, but he was one of the best charioteers the Whites had. Marcus would be interested in seeing how the two interacted on the course. He took his seat in the nearly-empty stands, picking a spot that he knew from long experience would give him a good view of proceedings. He had sent Linus, one of his scouts, to a seat on the other side of the Circus in case something occurred there that the spina would prevent him from seeing, and settled in for an interesting morning. @Echo @Chevi

"It'd be easier for you to find one house, and me, than for me to find you in all the insulae on the Esquiline," Teutus pointed out, sure of his logic, though his words were a little slurred by now. "What do you mean, special for me? I just saw my father choose some other slave's baby over me. That's hardly special." He shook his head. "Never had the time before, don't really see the appeal now, though my father likes the gladiators." Which was one reason for Teutus not to, though he wasn't about to say that. He should probably try to like some of the things his father did - but what was the point, especially now? He'd probably prefer to bring his other son up to like that sort of thing, sponsor games or races or whatever. He'd never really cared to teach Teutus any of that - he'd even seemed embarrassed by Teutus' lack of skill at swimming, though whose fault was it that Teutus had not had much time to learn? He considered. He'd never really had a friend to share any of his life with. He might enjoy things more if he had someone to share them with. Wasn't that how friendships worked? "I think I'd like that. Though I've got nothing to share with you in return. Except maybe if you like reading?" @Atrice

Well, that was handy. The insulae on the Esquiline were a stone's throw from his father's house on the same hill. Very handy. "I don't suppose you know the house of Tertius Quinctilius Varus?" he asked. It would make it easier to meet up if Alexius came to the house, rather than Teutus wandering all over the hill trying to find the one room in the one insula that housed Alexius. "I read, I go to the baths. I don't really do an awful lot," Teutus confessed. "I don't generally spend my time in questionable popinae getting drunk, if you were worried about that. Today was a special occasion " Special for Tertius and Charis, not at all special for Teutus. He'd probably have to apologise to his father for his abrupt departure and doubted Tertius would ever really understand why it had hurt. He had another mouthful of wine at prospect of that apology. @Atrice

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make things awkward," Teutus said, though it was his father who'd done that. Tertius asked for Caecina's forgiveness, though, which wasn't quite an apology, but was as close to being one as Teutus had ever heard his father come. He wondered for a moment how much of the awkwardness was his own fault; if he'd styled himself 'Tertius Quinctilius Teutus' it would have been obvious he was a freedman and the question would never have been asked. "Wine, and other luxuries - and necessities," he said. "Things that people need and want that can't be produced in Italia, or not in the quantities people consume. Wine from Hispania and Gallia, olive oil too, papyrus from Aegyptus." Maybe even spices too, though he would have to enquire into that. There was plenty he could do, as a young man who was accustomed to keeping records and accounts. @Echo @Atrice I'm sorry, it's been a shockingly long time since I was tagged!

Teutus paused and looked at his drinking partner. He looked capable, and might be the sort of person to know people who could be useful. "I don't think talking about it when I'm drunk is a good idea," he said. "Maybe when I'm sober. Where can I find you?" They'd need to hire a ship and crew to begin with, and some warehouse space here or in Ostia... It was very definitely a possible venture, though. He thought obscurely that his father should be proud of him, and took another mouthful of wine at the thought that followed, that he should be but probably wasn't. Otherwise why would he have left Teutus as a slave for so long? @Atrice

"Utterly fascinating," Aulus said, peering over her shoulder. "I'm sure the house won't fall to pieces if it turns out we only have fifteen jars of olive oil rather than twenty." He kissed her on the head even as his hand found its way to her thigh. "Do the slaves really need speaking to, columbina mea?" How was it that she still had as much power over him after more than ten years of marriage as she had had that afternoon in the garden of a rented house in Athens? Aulus couldn't say, but vowed (again) to offer a sacrifice to Venus in thanks for their meeting, and one to Juno in thanks for their marriage. And the two healthy children Horatia had borne. "I supposed the list of friends and party invitations must fill the entire rest of that scroll?" he enquired, straight-faced. @Sara

"I suppose I have," Aulus said, wryly. "I'm sorry. It was unintentional - I would never brush you off like those dozy old senators, or consciously ignore you." He was very consciously doing the exact opposite of ignoring her right now, of course. "I, make a married mother of two blush? Surely that's impossible." He was smiling, though, the gentle teasing coming easily to him. She turned her face to the ceiling, her expression mixed contentment and sadness. He laced his fingers through hers. "I'll tell you what. Now that the world has been put right, why don't you and I tell the slaves that we're not to be disturbed on any account whatsoever and, well..." They weren't due to dine for at least three hours, by his calculation. Plenty of time to engage in more pleasurable activities, just between the two of them. @Sara

Attis looked confused. "You mentioned that Metella would eat you alive, I said that she wasn't so much of a savage but Cassia might appreciate it, except she'd probably prefer a gladiator to you... I think someone got confused somewhere, domine." Longinus had got confused, but it was more politic for Attis to take the blame. Wasn't that what slaves were there for, after all? "I think you could probably beat a gladiator. They're trained to make it showy, the legions train you to make it quick and effective." They'd never find out, though - even Longinus wouldn't risk attracting that sort of infamia! "I could give a properly informed tour of Rome, domine, but this isn't Rome." He let out a silent sigh. "I don't have any hobbies, never mind any I want to do here." Sleeping would be a good one, though, if it wouldn't lead to a lot of shouting and wearing about lazy incorrigible good-for-nothing slaves. Two out of three, Attis would allow, but he was damned if he'd let anyone attach the label 'lazy' to him with any truth. "And no, I don't want to make a tour of the brothels, either, domine," he added, squashing that idea before his master could voice it. @Sara

"It's all right," Davus said, trying to lessen the other's embarrassment - not that he seemed to need the help because he brightened again almost immediately, as if there was nothing amiss at all. He couldn't help similing in response to the other man's enthusiasm and overall cheeriness. "I don't know if senators can go to Egypt or not. Even if they can, I'm not very likely to get the opportunity to go with him." If they could, and if Davus' master was sent to Egypt and if a whole bunch of other things... "I don't really know what I ought to even ask about," he confessed. "I don't suppose you knew the House of Isis, near the Library?" It hadn't been much of a place, not really, but it had been 'home' for the first few years of Davus' life. He'd made himself useful, running errands and keeping the girls amused in the way kids could, and tried to stay out of the sight of the patrons. "It's a very big city - almost the size of Rome, though I'm sure it's a lot less hilly." He would like to go back, sometime, he thought. Maybe one day, if he got the chance. He paused for a moment, fantasising about going back and becoming a glassmaker or something - Egyptian glass was highly prized all over the Empire, and he was sure it would be a good way to make a living. Better than running all over Rome buying fruit and vegetables that the usual delivery people didn't have, or sweeping floors that the Dacian hadn't done properly because the work was beneath her. @Liv

Davus took the cake she offered him, and shrugged. "I don't know if sweeping the floors and pouring drinks is exactly important work. And I'm sure there are plenty of worse masters in Rome - he's not bad." He wasn't; Davus could count getting the odd afternoon off to do what he wanted, so long as he was back by nightfall. "It's nothing like the as important as being his secretary or something like that, though." He couldn't write, so anything more impressive would be out of the question. Still, his chores were easy enough, and it meant that he got time to sit outside in the sun, eating honey-cakes with a pretty woman. Which was about all he could ask from life, really. "It's not as important as your work, even. Body slave to a senator's wife - making sure she looks nice when she goes out, and going shopping with her - I bet you have nicer things to carry home than just onions and cucumbers!" @Echo

"Well, she can stare at him but that's it." And doubtless his parents did have some ideas of their own - Tiberius was still the paterfamilias, after all, and might well like to cement ties with one or other of the senatorial families of Rome through the marriage of a daughter and son of those families. He'd definitely have to talk with his father and make his own opinions clear. "Did I not? I'm sorry." He let out a breath of his own. "I think he is, though he may not agree with me. I didn't feel ready for it myself when it was my own time - though it will be a few years yet before he is ready to embark on the cursus honorum. It'll give him a chance to polish is oratory skills - and I will be able to talk with him more about what I do. He might well some decided opinions on things I should do as Consul, of course." It was about time he started having more serious discussions about various matters and policies with his son. It had surely only been a few months ago that Titus had been so serious about showing his wooden sword to his father! He found himself drinking in his wife's face, with the soft auburn hair done up in an artless fashion that must have taken half the morning to perfect. And those blue eyes - Calpurnia looked like her mother, and there was something of Horatia in Titus' own expressions sometimes, too. @Sara

"Hey! I'm at least twice as bad as Metella is, domine," Attis protested. "And it wasn't her fault. I wasn't awake and Vitus was trying to get you to sign something - probably something important, too. Like a request for a shipment of papyrus from Egypt for all the paperwork he needs, or something." He shrugged. "I don't think Titus Sulpicius Rufus likes me." Though he'd been nice enough to let Attis have a day off, which he'd spent with a paintbrush and paint, leaving messages around in various areas of Rome that he knew Metella frequented. If she couldn't read them, other people in the household could and would have let her know Attis was all right. "You want me to sound enthusiastic about Metella eating you alive, domine?" he said, putting on a puzzled tone. "If you insist... though I don't think she's as much of a savage as that. Cassia might appreciate it, though she'd probably prefer it if we sacrificed a gladiator or two." He shrugged. "I don't know. I've only just been given a day off and I've never been to Greece." Neither master nor slave were particularly big on the cultural sights. Anyway, Attis would see everything his master did, and would rather not do all the same stuff on his own that he was bound to do following his master around the city. @Sara

"That's rough," Teutus said, and poured some of his wine into Alexius' cup. He shrugged. "I've been my master's - my father's - secretary, but I don't really want to stay in the same house as his new son. Not now. I was thinking of setting up an import business, maybe. Bringing wine and olive oil into Italia from Hispania - though gods know we've got enough wine of our own. What about you, though? What do you do to keep yourself busy?" Teutus wanted somewhere he could use the skills he had, but he knew that most secretaries were slaves; it was very rare to find a free or freed man acting as someone's personal secretary. And of course a political career was utterly barred to hi, but not to his free half-brother... He poured a third cup of wine at the thought. @Atrice

"Well, I never expected it to keep on being as unfair as this," Teutus muttered, and sighed. He would eventually get used to it, and would start to plan his new future, but right now he didn't want to, he didn't want to do anything other than mope (or grieve, or sulk about) the future he'd been supposed to have, the one that had been promised to him for his entire life. He scowled at the wine in his cup as if it was Tertius' smug face. He tried to ignore the sense of curiosity provoked by the other man's words, but couldn't - which had probably been the whole reason he'd said what he had. "What future had you hoped for?" he asked, before drinking his second cup somewhat slower than his first one. @Atrice