Sara

Titus let out a laugh. For anybody that knew him, they would have widened their eyes at the sound - it was a rarity for him to be amused. Or at least...outwardly amused. He was fond of a wry smile but he was known as a man of few words and gruff temperament. But this was amusing. He chose the chance to interrupt again as the man gave a natural pause. "I'm not a solider of Rome." He scoffed, shaking his head. "I'm not even fucking Roman. They won't give me citizenship my friend." Not for another few years of service in the vigiles at least. With a heavy sigh he crossed his arms over his chest and arched a brow. "Are you nearly done?" TAG: @Chevi

Ione padded quietly into her dominus' room and listened to his instructions and then nodded - quickly moving to the tablinum to leave the papers and tablets on his desk before hurrying back, slipping off the heavy outdoor sandals she was allowed to wear. She was still flushed and breathless as she drew to a stop in front of him. "No dominus," She answered as she tried to catch her breath. Ione was not fit. Slim, skinny even, but not fit - she didn't have time for the palaestra and rarely walked far given her job required most of her time be spent in bed...She moved a hand to cover her fluttering heart as its rhythm settled. "No they didn't ask too many questions - a couple of the girls asked where you were and where I was going and no," She shook her head and then gave an obvious grimace. "He said he would see you tomorrow but..." She cleared her throat and flicked those big doe eyes up to him, "He seemed excited to have the day to run things himself." TAG: @Atrice

Ione smiled softly and nodded with a little sigh. That was all she could really ask for with her current lot in life. It was not as if she could offer to meet him outside of work hours - she rarely had time off and when she did she needed to sleep, eat, bathe and all the other mundane facets of life. And that was if she got time off which was rare outside of festival days. Her dominus was improving the Elysium but to do so at cut price meant the girls needed to earn their keep. She chuckled as he drew apart and glanced at the curtained door. "We have some time." She stretched to reach for a cup and poured some weak, nasty lora into it. Small improvements - she remembered when the girls didn't even have wine in their rooms. She was breathless and flushed but it was only polite to offer it to him first. "Your dominus is a good man to give you time off, Tiranes." She gave him a small smile. "What else will you do with your day?" TAG: @Sharpie

Ione blinked as the man stood and nodded at her. Habitually she glanced over her shoulder, as if he must be gesturing to somebody else, not her. When she saw the person to her left was engaged in conversation elsewhere she frowned and gestured at herself. "Me?" When he nodded she blinked but stood up. She was the perfect slave; docile and easily led. All it took was Azarion standing and she was in her feet. "Where...where are you going? Where are we going?" She asked as she followed him. TAG: @Chevi

She groaned and rolled her eyes, shooting him a smirk over her shoulder. "A honey covered date as I recall." She chuckled at the double meaning of the word. Latin was fun, sometimes. But she listened with patience and a little sigh. It sounded familiar to what many of the men she'd met who visited Tertius did with their time, and what her husband did himself. She wondered, briefly, if young Marcus would grow up to be a man like her husband. She hoped not. "It doesn't sound fun or like a game at all," She chuckled with a shake of her head and let the flowers go, moving to turn around and lean against the fountain next to him as she languidly sipped her wine. "I'm only recently married so I share your pain. Learning the ropes, as it were." She sipped again and then tilted her head to study him. "And do you talk of terribly dull things with the high and mighty men present here? Grain and taxes and such?" TAG: @Atrice

She smiled a little, pleased that he agreed with her suggestions but his evident irritation made her wince. She shook her head. "No domine, no, everything is clear. I...I'll b back soon." And with that, she placed the cloth down next to him and backed away out of the room, eyes lowered. And then she hurried to find Julius who was visibly irritated at having to walk a prostitute back to her brothel and did so with muttered glares of protest and heavy sighs as he escorted her out of the domus. It wasn't a hugely long walk but still by the time they found their way back there she was flushed and a little breathless. It took some time to rouse Marius from his drunken slumber and set him to gather all the various supplies that her dominus required. Mercifully, most of the girls and boys were either asleep or at the baths after their work and so she only had a few sleepy questions to answer before they were back on their way to the domus. They made it back within an hour but she was panting as they stumbled back through the slave entrance - her arms laden with his papers. Julius loaded her up with more and chivvied her to find Armenius. She frowned, padding quietly through the house - calling out tentatively as she came to his bedroom door; "Dominus...?" TAG: @Atrice

Titus was pleased with himself. He wasn't an arrogant man - or he wouldn't call himself that - stubborn, for sure, and generally obstructive, but not arrogant but he was amused that he managed to interrupt the story and encourage a few of the idiots to retreat without paying. But still the man didn't stop and Titus frowned, turning around to face him on the bottom step. He folded his arms over his chest and scoffed audibly at the flattery. "I am determined. Determined that you fuck off." TAG: @Chevi

She watched him as he moved to join her at the fountain, listening with amusement. She was not used to being flattered by men like him. Ogled, of course, that was par for the course of being a young, vaguely attractive female slave, but flattered? Never. Or not by men like him. Alexius had certainly been full of compliments. She smiled to herself at the memory of their one perfect night together - she had needed it and she was endlessly grateful for it. "You are a flatterer, Marcus." She chuckled and moved her fingers to brush the beautiful blooming flowers next to the fountain. "And no, not alone, with my husband." Which still felt odd to say and...wasn't technically true she supposed, but Tertius was adamant she was his wife and should be treated as such. Still, not wanting to dwell on Tertius she glanced across to Marcus as she sipped her wine. "And what have you been doing for entertainment thus far this evening, before you accosted me for a date, Marcus?" TAG: @Atrice

Ione nodded furiously and tried to memorise her instructions. Go to the Elysium with Julius, fetch the papers and the scroll and come straight back...not telling anybody where her dominus was if they asked. Her lips parted at that though and she gave him a curious look as her hands stilled on their task on his shoulder. Ione was no good without instructions - she had been told what to do her whole life; by her father, and then the slaver, her first dominus, her second, Lucius and her clients. She needed parameters to act. Otherwise she was lost. It was maddening but it was her. "But...but what do I say when they ask domine? Do I just say you are..." She frowned, trying to think of an excuse. "Resting and working from your home? Is that fine?" She moved her hands from his skin and wrung them, frowning at him. TAG: @Atrice

Jason finished and Ione shuddered and slowed her movements to a stop as he did. She exhaled deeply, her skin warm and flushed. She finally dragged her eyes open as Jason brushed hair from her face tenderly. She felt her heart flutter. She was so very unsuited to this work. "I'm well. I..." She gave him a grin, "That was perfect." And she leant up to kiss him. Slowly. Gently. As her heart rate began to settle from its ferocious rhythm. Then she pulled away and with a contended sigh she shifted out from under him, moving to sit up against the wall - the coolness of the plaster making her shudder. "I...would say I hope to see you again, Tiranes, but...I understand if you don't wish to come back." She gave him a slightly more wavering smile. TAG: @Sharpie

Ovinia managed a chuckle and nodded with a small smile. "Yes, I suppose so." Not that she had a great deal of experience with the latter but she firmly believed she would prioritise her female friends over any men in her life. Women were dealt an infuriating lot in life, and they should stick together. But Pinaria's next question prompted an unrestrained little choke and she bit her lip, trying to style it out by clearing her throat, feigning that she had a cough. Well. This was awkward. She stole another glance in Gaius' direction and then back down to the sands. She had no idea the pair even knew one another let alone were that serious but...the thought made her happy. Gaius was a good man. And deserved a good wife, a better wife than Ovinia herself would have been to him. Pinaria was...perfect. For him and as a friend. She gave her friend a little wince and then nodded. "Yes....yes I know Gaius. We...well..." Ovinia was rarely stuck for words, "We met several times when my father was considering him as a husband. We had a...precontract of sorts but I chose not to pursue it. Him." She gave her friend a reassuring squeeze on her forearm. "And it was nothing to do with Gaius himself, he is a good man, and I have faith he'll make an excellent husband I...I just felt he deserved...well...I wanted something different. That's all." She gave Pinaria a small smile. "How did you two meet, anyway?" TAG: @Atrice

Ovinia felt breathless and like she was going backwards. In the months since the attack she'd gotten a little better with each passing day; of course she was still afraid of being alone in unfamiliar places, she hated closed spaces, the nightmares persisted and she always ensured her slave walked behind her now but she had gotten a little brighter. She could go out alone (or as alone as a young woman like her could be alone) and she could smile and laugh and joke with friends again. But now, facing down Tiberius she felt herself shrink. It was most unlike the Ovinia of old. She flicked her dark eyes to Jason for a brief moment and caught his nod. It soothed her only a little because Tiberius' words were spoken with such a lack of emotion she wasn't sure if they were discussing the state of the Senate or her molestation. Her lips parted a little and she stared at him for a moment, blinking and unable to find the words. Again, most unlike the Ovinia of seasons past. Then she rallied, or tried to, after a hefty sip of water and by focusing her gaze down at her hands rather than either of the mens faces. Her voice was quiet but firmer. She only had to get through the next few words, the next few sentences and then this would be done. Of course, Tiberius was unlikely to see her in the same friendly way ever again, but at that moment - with his brusqueness - she found she didn't care. "He did not rape me." She swallowed. "And he didn't do much the first time, beyond holding the knife to my waist. But the second time..." Her newfound resolve faltered for the briefest of moments, "He forced me into one of the abandoned shacks by the amphitheatre. He bound my hands behind my back. He told me he would kill me, or cut out my tongue if I screamed. When I did scream and tried to flee we ended up fighting and he cut my hip through my chiton. That..." Her fingers gripped the fabric of her dress, blanching at the pressure, "Seemed to excite him. He pushed me against the wall and cut down the length of my shoulder blade. But where he held me so tightly I couldn't breathe and I begged him to stop but he still held me and I...must have fainted. When I came to I was on the floor, bleeding and Jason was there." She glanced up at the body slave, a wavering smile on her lips. "I don't remember much but I do remember him bandaging me and then he carried me all the way home. I swore him to secrecy, naturally, when I was coherent." She exhaled sharply. "So that is it. You may see the scar on my back if you wish." Naturally not the one on her hip which would require completely undressing. She finally flicked her eyes to Tiberius, the coldness of her tone matching his from earlier. "And I know it is him because I was summoned to see him after they caught him last week. I told the others I was a pleb, and I did not tell my family.” Her voice was firm and her gaze finally unwavering, unconsciously echoing the power of her father. “They only removed him to the tullianum after we voted. I voted that we kill him there and then. I trust you will not make those who voted against me, regret their choice." She narrowed her eyes. “Nor judge me for mine.” TAG: @Sarah @Sharpie @Atrice @Chevi

Fucking idiots didn’t take the hint and leave. His patience was only paper thin at the best of times and now it was single hairs breadth. He groaned audibly and put his head in his hands for a moment, before he pushed his fingers through his hair with a groan and then sighed. “Fine!” He barked, loud enough to make a woman on the front row jump. He glared at Iophon. “These people are clearly morons so have at it.” He shook his head and started to descend the steps, “And a spoiler for all of you, a man jumped into the chasm. To sacrifice himself for all of Rome.” There were a few mutters and nods from the crowd. Titus paused on the bottom step and smirked at Iophon. “I’ve seen you tell this one before.” TAG: @Chevi

Titus tried to interject, he really did, particularly at the shaggy haired mans exclamation of 'I provide a service here'; "No you don't you robbing ba-" But then he was off again, his words a tangle and with artful dramatic flourish he kept the punters rapt in attention. Titus didn't even bother to try and suppress his groan of clear annoyance. Arms folded over his chest he listened with clear displeasure, and then as the man turned his attention and his question to him he rolled his eyes and thew up his hands in frustration. "No. And I really don't give a shit I-" He huffed. He really, really should just leave this alone but the scene prickled at his conscience. He had always done what he thought was right, which often ended poorly for him - the whip marks on his back, the scars of burns past were a testament to that and so...with a barked order of "Move!" To some of the crowd he strode through them until he was standing next to Iophon on the steps. "Go spend your coin on your families, on your women, on your children. Go home." He ordered, pointedly ignoring Iophon. Or trying to. TAG: @Chevi

Charis chuckled with a slight shake of her head, but there was a smile tugging on the corners of her lips. She'd assured Tertius she'd be back soon but a quick glance in his direction suggested he was otherwise occupied and...wasn't this the whole point of taking her to an event like this? So she'd meet the great and the good of Rome as their equal rather than as a piece of dirt to be trodden on, as she had been. Granted, she suspected Tertius didn't include attractive young men in his mind when he considered what she should do this evening but all the same, she had an argument to make if it came to it. And then they were walking, and she let out a loud, genuine laugh at his question. So presumptive! Almost as bold as men had been when she was enslaved, although this felt different. At least now she could tell him to fuck off it went to far. There were some perks to her new position, she could admit. She glanced sidelong at him and shook her head. "I'm not that sort of woman, Marcus." She chuckled again and sipped her wine. "Why? What fun have you had in gardens that makes you ask that question?" She tilted her head with an amused smirk and then moved to the fountain, running her fingers through the water. "You came alone this evening?" She asked. TAG: @Atrice

She grimaced at his snappishness and continued to wash him down, grateful he probably couldn't see her face as she moved to wash over his back. "Apologies, domine." But then he was speaking again and she frowned. Was he...putting this on her? What if he didn't get well again and blamed her? She swallowed the leaden weight in her throat and nodded dumbly before she moved to kneel down in front of him to wash his midriff and his chest, working methodically with concentration on her face. But worry was clearly there too. "You said yesterday domine, that nobody could know." She swallowed and glanced up at him for just the briefest of moments, "Will you...go to the Elysium today? I can...fetch things to bring them here if you would rather work from your home?" She offered, trying to be helpful. TAG: @Atrice

She was breathless, although she wasn't exactly exerting herself and her toes curled into the thin sheet on her pallet, her face and chest flushed and fingers gripping his shoulders. She wasn't close, she knew that, but it was pleasurable. Which was everything to her and as his pace increased and he called out her name she moved her fingers to softly cup his cheek, a breathless smile on her lips. "You can spill," She said as she rolled her hips to match his rhythm, letting out small gasping noises between her words, "I-I am protected." And then she leant up to kiss him with hunger and a deepness and an intimacy she'd craved for so long as her arms around his neck tried to pull him closer, flush against herself. TAG: @Sharpie

Ione finally settled on a fine green tunica which she pulled from the chest and then as Lucius ordered her, she nodded and placed it next to him on the bed whilst she dipped one of the cloths in the warm water, ringing it out before moving to stand over him. He looked pale and well...ill. Ione was not convinced he should be up and getting dressed but she wasn't about to say that. Instead, she placed the cloth on his skin and started wiping at his arms and his chest silently, concentrating on her work carefully, methodically. She worked slowly to be thorough and only when she reached the back of his neck did she finally feel confident enough to speak. "Are you sure you do not wish me to fetch a medicus, domine?" TAG: @Atrice

She laughed at his words, amused. She would have been annoyed beyond measure had she still been a slave at his presumption and very blatant flirting but...now? She supposed it was a little flattering. And amusing, that he thought he had the faintest of shots with her. Still, she decided to play his game and quirked a brow as she sipped her wine. "And what would make it...fun, Marcus?" She smirked and then held her cup out to be refilled by a passing slave girl. She flicked her eyes to the young woman - small, dark haired. She wondered if this was what she looked like when she waited on parties. She tried to push it from her mind but the downcast eyes and quick silent steps away were hard to dismiss. She exhaled and glanced back to Marcus. "How about a turn in the garden?" She offered with a little smile. "And more wine." TAG: @Atrice

Ione glided over silently to the chest and knelt down to lift the lid. Only when Armenius spoke again did she blink and then she hurriedly pushed herself up and shook her head. "No, no sorry I forgot domine, let me fetch you some watered wine..." And yet again she backed from the room, running to the kitchens where the soup was starting to be prepared. She clattered around trying to find a pitcher for the cook sighed and pushed her out the way in frustration, handing her a jug and a cup. She hurried back to Lucius' room as quickly as she could. When she returned her cheeks were flushed and she set down the cup before pouring it and then handing it to him, eyes lowered. "It's plain and unwatered." She offered, and then she moved back to the chest. She paused for a moment, running her fingers softly over the fine fabric of the tunica. TAG: @Atrice

She smiled against his lips as he ducked down to kiss her at her urging as he started a slow, much more sedate rhythm than earlier. It was not exactly pleasurable, but nor was it not pleasurable. She'd only really enjoyed sex a handful of times in her short life, but she knew the reason she enjoyed it wasn't through this alone. But she liked Jason and the fact he was clearly making an effort to make it better for her, made her heart thud heavily in her chest. She deepened the kiss as her nails dragged across his back and she tilted her hips to meet his rhythm with one of her own. And then, to surprise, she felt the familiar tugging deep within herself and between her thighs. She choked as she pulled away from the kiss and offered him a breathless, slightly bemused smile. "Keep going." She grinned at him. "...Please." TAG: @Sharpie

"Modest, as I said." She grinned at him and shifted a little on the bench - closer to him and further away from the other person she was squeezed against. Her eyes glanced down to the sounds and then seeing his gestures from the corner of her gaze, she snapped her eyes to him and tried to get his meaning as she fiddled with the wine skin. "Do I know them?" She guessed his meaning and shook her head, frowning at him. "Is that what you meant?" She tilted her head, ignoring the roar of the crowd as people started to cheer the gladiators. "I'm sorry, I'm not good at this..." TAG: @Chevi

For fucks sake. He knew he shouldn't have engaged but here he was. And Titus also knew that despite being surly and generally not communicative, he was not going to let this moron have the last word. He groaned as he stopped and with a heavy sigh, turned back around to face him - interjecting; "Never heard of him." With a shrug of his shoulders before he folded his arms over his chest and listened with the thinnest threads of patience as the man prattled on. "Oh come on," He groaned again throwing up his hands in despair, "Move along." He barked at the people and sensing the shift in the atmosphere, a few of them did. Most stayed. Patience snapping in three...two...one. "These people can't afford to pay you. Get a real job." TAG: @Chevi

Ione held her breath after she trailed off, realising she had been speaking - or rambling rather - for far longer than she'd anticipated. She gave him a weak smile and then...he agreed. She couldn't hide the susrpise on her face for a moment and then a wide, pretty grin spread on her lips and she nodded hurriedly as she backed out of the room. "I will go and instruct the cook, domine, and then I'll be back." She hurried to the kitchens to see the yawning cook sitting morosely and stoking a fire. He was less than pleased at being instructed by a whore, but with a heavy sigh he murmured his agreement and then set about starting the dish, saying he'd get one of the house slaves to bring it through when it was done. In the meanwhile Ione filled up a heavy basin with water and - warmed from the fire - and draping some clean cloths over her arm she struggled back to the room, splashing water as she went. She entered silently, or as silently as she could and then set the basin down on the table. "I thought you might wish for some water domine, to wash, if you do not feel up to the baths." She doubted her dominus had his own complex like Spurius - but perhaps that was a mistake? Then she planted her hands on her hips and glanced around. "Your clothes, domine?" In a way it was sad to see Ione like this. This was a far more natural fit for her than spreading her legs - it was what she'd done both as a daughter and as her first role as a slave. TAG: @Atrice

She chuckled at his grin and enthusiasm. Since coming to Rome and during her life as a slave she'd met a fair few men of his rank, young men included, and she'd always avoided them. They had seen the slave tag around her neck and her clothes and determined - often - that she was free game to leer at or touch and so on. Not that she ever told Tertius - but the streets of Rome were seldom a safe place for a woman alone. But now, wife to a Praetor she had a little more spring in her step. She had once upon a time been a confident young woman - full of witticisms and perhaps misplaced conviction in her beliefs. She wasn't back to that yet, but she was certainly more calm...and amused about men like the one in front of her. At least he seemed sweet enough. "Charis." She replied with an inclination of her head and a slow smile. She hated Tertia Charis. Nobody called her that anyway, not even her husband. Sipping her wine she quirked a brow and glanced over her cup at him. "Are you enjoying the party, Marcus Junius Silanus?" She gave a small chuckle and glanced around the room. There were musicians playing a beautiful tune but even that couldn't drown out the droning of the men and women here talking about nothing of consequence at all. Who knew being rich was so...dull? TAG: @Atrice