Sara

Erea grit her jaw and placed a hand on her hip, looking markedly unimpressed. "You're funny, you are, aren't you?" Rolling her eyes, she shrugged her shoulders. She glanced and saw Turi a little way off, pleased at least that he wasn't privy to this conversation. "I don't know, it might be useful." Loathed as she was to admit it, it didn't look like the Romans would be out of her homeland any time soon and the family's business would suffer, badly, unless they could expand where they traded. And to do that meant talking to Romans. And one could only do that if one could actually speak to them. "But they'll think I'm deranged," She gestured to her brother, standing a little way apart, sheepishly glaring at the soldiers. "And that it's pointless. I'm...more practical." Practical or not, the thought of learning their tongue sat uncomfortably on her. But then she looked back over her shoulder to the table; still full of wares, and felt the meagre weight of the coin purse at her hip. If her family were to prosper, they needed every advantage they could get. Still, there was only a snag. Narrowing her eyes, she held the other woman in a firm glare; "But I can't pay. We barely have enough and winter's going to get worse soon. My company will have to suffice as payment." She quickly shook her head, "But not in that way." She blushed a little, despite willing herself not to. "What do you say?" TAG: @Chevi

I've just finished In Extremis, which is a biography of Marie Colvin which is brilliant! I never usually read non-fiction, but it was amazing, definitely one of my new top tens! I'm now reading Kindred by Octavia Butler and it's a whole different style but I'd say just as good! (My new years resolution was to only read books written by women or PoC, so if you have any recs please do shout!)

Charis bit her lip nervously but chuckled. "I'm plenty docile for him...which should save me any bruises." She said, although couldn't keep the concern from her voice. She hadn't seen Tertius beat his slaves, nor had she really heard anything to suggest he would, but she remembered how he made her kneel in the gardens and forced her eyes down at that first meeting. She definitely wouldn't put it past him to raise a hand to a nobody like her. "I'll work in the garden and smile when I need to and try not to grimace if he looks my way." She offered a wavering smile and reached down to squeeze the other woman's forearm. "Please don't worry about me, I'll be fine, I promise." Still, she laughed. "He's impossible to figure out. I don't even think he does it on purpose." He was just an enigma. She only dared to imagine what his poor late wife must have felt. But then again, she wondered how close husbands and wives were over here. Political marriages were common in Britannia but only for those in the upper echelons of the tribe. Her own marriage had been made out of equal parts practicality and love. She wasn't sure if the latter even factored into the marriages here. She sighed. "I do feel bad for Teutus though." She shook her head as they walked, "Not even able to look your father in the eye...never being able to even call him Father." it sounded barbaric to her, and before she could realise it, she let slip; "Immin and I spoke about it, with the baby...about whether it was right we were even bringing a child into the uncertainty at home but..." She realised what she had said and glanced up, big blue eyes blinking. She hadn't told anybody about it, not here. Quickly she shook her head and tried a smile, "It didn't last...don't worry. They didn't take my child off of me...that's one saving grace I suppose." TAG: @Atrice

Charis was almost positive no Roman citizen would think her story was to be heard. Family members slaughtered, being taken away, wrongly accused, from a husband who lay bleeding out, losing a child, being forced to stand with a sign around her neck - tired and hungry - like cattle in the market. All of these things she thought were so unjust, were so utterly unremarkable to her new citizens. With a sigh, she nodded as if affirming she would be happy to speak to him, although she already felt despondent. "Dream?" She frowned and blinked up to meet his eye. Realising it may have seemed like she didn't understand the word - which she did - she offered a fleeting smile. "My dreams sad, not good story." She affirmed with a little laugh but dropped her eyes back his middle, remembering herself. Not wanting to linger on her sadness, she narrowed her eyes in thought. "Food...back home, in Britannia," She clarified, "The neighbour was very good cook...which I not." She grinned. It was still hilarious to her that the slaver had sold her as a cook when Charis barely knew how to make a porridge. "She made us stew which warmed you from head to feet." She tapped ran a hand down her throat, over her chest to settle on her middle as if mimicking the actions. "Which we need when it was winter and so cold." She grinned, remembering with fondness the nights she had spent curled up next to her parents and then later her husband, wrapped in thick furs. "Did not taste the best but..." She shrugged, "My favourite because of how it feeled." She shook her head, correcting herself. "Felt." Risking another quick glance up at him, trying to read his reaction she asked tentatively, "Is that sort of story you want, Sir?" TAG: @Gothic

Erea laughed, genuinely. She doubted a hundred years would do for her people, but she liked this man's wit. It was refreshing - her home had been tense and morose for years, but particularly so over the last couple of months. A larger Roman military presence and the scarcity of food in the winter months always sapped people's happiness. It was nice to laugh. "Noted. I'll ask my Gods tonight to transport me into the future, shall I?" Still, her eyes narrowed at his suggestions. "We're trying to expand where we sell but it's hard." She admitted, quite candidly, with a little shrug. "They," She gestured over Aius' shoulder to a few legionaries milling about, "Get nervous seeing us with knives and axes for sale and trade...and they think their steel is superior." She'd even had one remark it must be so, given the Romans had conquered their people. Erea had had to bite her tongue to stop herself retorting that hundreds, if not thousands more men had probably helped them more than the quality of their weapons. Wrapping thin arms around herself to pull the fur tighter she considered the person in front of her. "I'm sure being able to speak their language would help as well." The young Briton's grasp of Latin was about as good as her grasp of reading; almost nonexistent. With a sly grin, she arched a brow. "Perhaps you should offer lessons to us poor savages...try and educate us?" She didn't say that she actually would like lessons, that would be humiliating. TAG: @Chevi

She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help the sly grin of pride that spread across her face. "Mhm." She assented, still lightly stroking his forearm as his own hand moved over hers. "I'm having to make do with listening to others get their money." She didn't know what she'd prefer though, in truth. Sweaty men groping her, or not earning money. It was a close call. Jesting, she arched a brow, "Do you think I'm losing my looks? An old and haggard whore is good to anybody." She was a vain woman, and religiously inspected the small mirror in her room for lines on her face, every morning. She was relieved most days, to see no new ones appear - although she was trying to smile less. Apparently that only encouraged ageing. She didn't fail to notice the way he stiffened at her fleeting joke at his wife's expense. Her eyes narrowed and she studied him. Curious - that one in his line of business could still have some...sensitivities. She couldn't imagine a life with boundaries any more. When you lived and worked in a brothel, your concept of privacy rapidly diminished she supposed. "Missed might be a strong word." She rolled her eyes but cursed herself at the little shudder that shook her shoulders and ran the length of her spine as he kissed her fingers. "You can spend time with me as long as I don't get a better offer." Some of her regulars were good bedmates, and a few were even her type. Still, Marcus provided a welcome distraction from the falsity of it all. Still, she leaned forward, leaning her face into spare palm - the other still running circles over his skin. "So secretive." She grinned, but was genuinely intrigued. "I don't think you've ever told me what you do...when you're not skulking around here, listening to people fuck." She grinned. "What do you do?" Even if she wasn't being tasked with uncovering the Syndicate's dirty little secrets, she would have likely still asked. Something about him, despite her better judgement, was fascinating to the young woman. TAG: @Gothic

Charis felt a little bad. At least she had had a glimpse of a life; a husband, a child on the way, before it was taken from her. At least she had those memories. She didn't know if it would be worse to have nothing. Still, not wanting to dwell on dark times, she arched an eyebrow at her company, a mischievous grin on her lips; "And anything more than crushes now?" She didn't know whether slaves were allowed relationships, although she assumed they couldn't. Not that Charis was in any position to ask, love and passion were possibly as far from her mind as they could ever be, right now. She nodded, however, at her company's words. "He is a bit strange." She shrugged. He was an enigma to her - which was rare. She'd always prided herself at being able to read people easily. Still, she drew to a stop at Cynane's wording and glanced up with a frown. "He honestly doesn't seem interested like that." She affirmed, more to herself than the other Briton. "He only has eyes for his body slave...I think I'm just a novelty." She knew she likely sounded naive, but she didn't want to admit to her friend (or herself, for that matter) that she'd been foolish and placed herself in his way without a thought of the consequences. She was pleased with her new work, but a discomfort lingered about how it may have changed the dynamic between herself and her master. "But I will...I'll be careful." She repeated hesitantly. Although if he does decide he wants to do more than look at me, what do I do? She wanted to ask, but felt too embarrassed. With another nod, she slowly started walking again. "The only free man in the house, he has male slaves," She waved a hand, hating how dismissive she sounded, "Including his own son...he's older than me I think, Teutus." She liked the youth and was yet to keep her distance, like the others who only saw him as a future domine. For Charis, she believed she wouldn't be here long enough to see that day. TAG: @Atrice

"Mhmm." Vibia murmured with a roll of her eyes, "I give you more than my charms, you should count yourself blessed." It was hardly like bedding him was a hardship, however. And he was useful, in some respects. Snapping her hand back to the table at his kiss, she grinned. She liked the games she played with him' she couldn't be like this with the clients of the Venus for the most part; most wanted seeing to and to be back on their way. This was different and it sent a little shudder up her spine, despite her better judgement. Pouring two generous cups of wine, she shrugged her shoulders but felt tense at the talk of work and her voice belied it. "The heat isn't helping, they're rowdier than usual...as I suspect you heard on your rounds." Her lips twitched into an impish smile, "But she's just got me playing music to entertain them while they wait, most of the time...I suppose it's better than having a balding old man larger than a whale on top of me but..." She shrugged again, "I'm not earning much." She didn't know if it was because she was free, and so was less profitable to keep than the slaves, but Vibia's patience at the madame was being tested. Taking a deep sip of wine, she returned her hands and the cup to the table and reached out to gently stroke his forearm. "I haven't seen you for a little while." There was no malice in her voice, but suspicion lingered. She knew how pretty some of the other young women were, and how easily controlled. She thought herself made of harder stuff, and failed to see how she herself was being manipulated, both by the gangs that kept her and uncomfortable feelings of lust for a man she really should have no business dealing with, sat opposite her now. "The wife distracting you at home?" She arched a brow, amused, "Or has another of the girls been...giving you her...charms?" TAG: @Gothic

Charis couldn't help the blush that coloured her cheeks. Stupid girl! She chided herself. She hated feeling out of her depth, but this city with its packed, weaving streets and mass of people had thrown her completely out of sorts. She had no idea there was water freely available, nor that it was pure enough to drink. "Better, thank you Sir." She repeated in accented, hesitant Latin. It had improved but she was still conscious of her accent and the way she stumbled over words and grammar. Frowning, and brushing stray deposits of dust from her light tunica, she concentrated on his words. "Story of Empire?" She repeated slowly, but not wanting to sound like a fool when she understood him perfectly but was just confused by the idea of documenting life itself, added with a brief smile; "Sound inter-esting, Sir." She was proud of picking up that word. Cautiously, she glanced up at him with surprise on her face. He wanted to know about her? Bashfully, she dropped her eyes back to his middle and tucked an errant strand of hair behind her ear. "My story not inter-esting, Sir." She shrugged thin shoulders. She had learned that from Rhoda and the others; people were enslaved justly or unjustly, it was the way of the world. Her life was no more remarkable than the others she had ventured to Rome with, or hundreds, thousands of others that now filled its streets. Still, not wanting to seem rude and really in no hurry to get back to her domus, she shrugged again. "But happy to speak to you, Sir. What...you want to know?" TAG: @Gothic

Charis grinned, "Good. I'm glad you have her undivided attention for now...men just complicate things." She waved her hand, but in good nature. She missed her husband deeply, but tried not to dwell on it. He'd be with the Gods now, if he had died and if he hadn't well...that was possibly even more painful. With curiosity, she glanced up at Cynane. "Did you have one? A man, I mean, back in Britannia?" She didn't know why, but she couldn't imagine it - the other woman was beautiful, to be sure, but she seemed to have a strength of character that Charis imagined men might be affronted by. Frowning, and with a small, uncomfortable laugh she shook her head. "No...not really." He had't really done anything. He just seemed to have an innate way to make her feel on edge. "He...found me praying, in the garden at night and he wanted me to sit with him and talk to him," She frowned, as if trying to pull out the memories that were already a little hazy after just a few weeks. "And he made me kneel in front of him and I thought, well..." She gave the other woman a pointed look, "But it wasn't that...but he was watching me so intently and I realised that maybe that could be useful." She shrugged and continued walking. She knew she was playing a dangerous game, but he was only watching her. "So I said he could watch me...if I worked in the garden and now here I am." She gave her friend a grin, pleased with herself. "Men are very predictable. But from what I can tell he hasn't had a woman since his wife, and far prefers his body slave so all I need to do is smile and nod and I'll at least get the peace of working alone." TAG: @Atrice

Charis - 20 - Sara Vibia - 24 - Sara

Erea couldn't help but be a little impressed. She had always thought she herself had a good ear for languages, but she had only managed to pick up a few words and phrases of their Latin. To be a Gaul, and speak Latin and Brittonic as fluently as this one did, was a skill. And the young Briton woman was begrudgingly impressed. Narrowing her eyes nonetheless, she considered her next words carefully. "And what does an...interprex do? Do you give us orders in our languages so we can understand them? Or do you just try and find things out?" She arched a brow, studying her face. It was not that he had presented any suggestion of malicious intent but she had learnt to be wary around strangers, especially those that voluntarily enjoyed the subjugation of her people (as she saw it). Hands on her hips, she tilted her head to the side, genuinely interested. "You didn't mind it?" She supposed if he had never experienced freedom, then he didn't know what he was missing. "Not even when you heard stories of what it was like...before they came? Of the people that were lost in that fight? Your people?" She couldn't imagine her family, her friends, her tribe ever willingly forgetting their history and their fight. But not wishing to speak too boldly she grinned. "I should ask you for tips, how to be a better citizen for our Roman friends." TAG: @Chevi

"A century isn't that long, not for people that were once free." Her view would no doubt be construed as naive, but for somebody as proud of her heritage and tribe, Erea couldn't fathom the thought of being subsumed into another great state. Let alone one that stole and killed her people. She cast a quick glance up at the fort beyond them, where her father had drawn his last breath, and wrapped her fur tighter around her shoulders. Narrowing her eyes at him, she shrugged her shoulders but was relieved he had not taken offence. Her eldest brother had suffered a whipping for similar comments not a month ago, but then again he was a great lumbering brute...the Romans seemed more agreeable to barbs coming from pretty young women. "You're curious, aren't you?" She grinned, running slender fingers over the goods on display and offering gentle smiles to the legionaries that wandered past. "We're Parisii...so this is our land." Her grin stretched mischievously, "But our home is a few hours ride from here but the trade is better, even if the company is not." She heard Turi's snigger of a laugh behind her, and she gestured with her head for him to to try and tempt a few of the soldiers milling a little way off. Dutifully, but not without hesitation, he left Erea and Aius alone. "I have a question." She posed, eyes narrowed and intrigued. "Where did you learn our words? And...why join them?" She gestured with a wave of her hand to the fort behind her. She shrugged nonetheless, "It seems an odd choice for a traders son but...I suppose that's two questions..." TAG: @Chevi

Charis arched a brow, amused; "Well...I didn't really ask." Who was she supposed to ask, nobody had told her? "But I said to Rhoda, in the kitchens, and a few of the others that I needed to get to market and they didn't really seem to care." One of the benefits, it seemed, of having irritated her companions in the domus was that they were largely apathetic to her presence. It certainly made her life easier...if not more lonely. Grinning as they walked, and cautiously avoiding the glances of citizens who looked pointedly at the pair of women, talking away in a foreign dialect, she smiled. "Nothing life changing?" She narrowed her gaze, "What about non-life changing things? Your mistress is well?" She tried to pull from the recesses of her mind the girl's name, but it escaped her. She did, however, remember that she was important and lived in a palace. Shrugging her shoulders, she offered a coy smile at her company. "It's...better...I'm not in the kitchens anymore," She shook her head, correcting herself, "Not all the time anyway, Rhoda - the kitchen slave - she drags me back sometimes." Much as Charis wished she didn't. A little awkwardly, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear - a nervous habit - and spoke quietly, as if ashamed; "I...had a run in, or more of a chance encounter with my dominos...but it worked out for the best, he at least agreed for me to work in the gardens, where I want to." TAG: @Atrice

Early July, 74ad Vibia was trying to sleep. The heat was up in the city and it had driven the clientele of the Domus Venus into languor in the days, but the evenings had been a constant stream of patrons. Fortunately for the young freedwoman, she had been excused from servicing said patrons and had instead been instructed to simply play her cithara, to entertain the waiting guests. It was a little dull, but given how quickly the drink was flowing, she wasn't particularly keen on the other side of her job either. She tried to enjoy that side of her work as much as was possible, but given how freely the clients were knocking back the wine, she doubted she'd have a particularly satisfying evening. It was a little after midnight, and wrapped in a thin sheet, and with the sounds emanating from the other workers rooms, sleep seemed an impossible fantasy. Propping herself up on her bed she cast a quick glance around the room; noting with despondency the overturned pitcher that should have been full of wine had she thought to replenish it. With a groan, she swung her legs over the side and pushing back long blonde hair from her face, stifled a yawn. With some effort she stood on wobbly, sleep-deprived legs and sauntered to pick up the pitcher. Haphazardly she threw on a thin dressing gown to cover the tunica she hadn't bothered to remove when she had collapsed into her bed some hours ago. Padding on bare feet she unlatched her door and crept down the dimly lit corridor, past rooms with sounds that would make even the hardiest of Roman blush, into a back room where she took a seat at a table. She could have summoned one of the slave boys to refill her wine but her room had felt like a prison in the heat and she needed the air. Sitting herself down in the darkened room, and pouring herself a cup of sweet watered wine, she sighed. This had...not been what she imagined freedom to feel like. She was still at the beck and call of others; both the domina of the brothel, the wider Syndicate and the Collegium of course. Still, she had her health and wits, and it wasn't a particularly onerous job. She suspected she'd only be here for another year or two before her worth diminished and she could actually be free. But what she'd do with that freedom was anybody's guess. Startled from her reverie by another figure moving into the small side room, she arched a brow and grinned at who she saw. "Can't sleep either?" She leant forward to place her face in her palm, surveying him, "You should complain to Titinia that none of her girls or boys could satisfy you to sleep." It had been some weeks since she had seen Marcus, but she wasn't about to turn away company. Gesturing with her head to the pitcher she asked, "Wine?" TAG: @Gothic

Updated with Vibia!

'Vibia' (Aemilia R. L. Mellusa). 24 | March 50CE | Freedwoman | Occasional Prostitute and Musician | Bisexual | Wanted | Alicia Agneson Personality. Vain, cold and stubborn to a fault, Vibia is not a woman easy to get to know. Her years in slavery and now in prostitution have hardened her through and through and she struggles to be personable unless in the company of clients. That doesn't mean, however, that she's unemotional. When frustrated or angry, the slaves in Domus Venus can feel her wrath, as can any furniture in her vicinity which is often left upturned and scattered. One of her predominant personality traits is her ambition and the ruthlessness that accompanies it. It's what earned her her freedom after all, and when she wants something she is likely to do everything in her power to get it. She has a sharp wit and is surprisingly intelligent but often feigns ignorance when it suits her to do so. She is, however, almost the complete opposite in the presence of clients. Quiet and demure (but always watching), or playing the lustful woman with abandon, she can effortlessly change persona to suit the men and women that frequent the brothel. Her skill in music has also afforded her an advantage as she only takes clients when she needs to, or wants to and can otherwise sit and quietly observe patrons. This ability to transcend the usual position of a prostitute often rubs her fellow workers up the wrong way, but Vibia feels she's earned it. She does, however, harbour ambitions out of her current situation - namely in the great gangs of Rome, but time will tell just how far she can rise before her past catches up with her. Appearance Of average height for a woman, standing at around 5ft 5, Vibia has subtle feminine curves and a graceful gait. Trained both in her household and now at Domus Venus in taking care of her appearance, she is fastidious with maintaining her looks and dedicates a great deal of time to her looks. Lucky, given her past life as a slave, her body is absent of marks and her skin is very fair for a woman born and bred under the Roman sun. Similarly, she has light blonde hair and bright blue eyes, she assumes inherited from her father. She dresses opulently, but somewhat modestly for a prostitute - preferring to hint at what lies underneath her clothes rather than baring all like many of her contemporaries. She nonetheless adorns herself in expensive jewellery, one of her many vices, as she has no need to save her coin like the slaves beneath her who are desperately accruing their money for their freedom. She wears little makeup besides some tint on her lips, and perhaps kohl around her eyes in the evening. Family Father: Unknown, but she suspects a slave in her former household called Notus (deceased) Mother: Apate (former slave, now freedwoman). Siblings: None that she is aware of. Spouse: None. Children: None. Extended family: None that she is aware of. Other: Step-father: Gaius Plinius Blaesus History CHILDHOOD [50 – 60 CE]: Vibia, or Mellusa as she was then known, was born verna in her masters household in Rome. Her master was an equite, and generally a kind and conscientious man - allowing Messula to remain with her mother and grow up in the household. Her childhood years were spent similarly to many young household slaves; helping with menial tasks and general household duties. Her mother did what she could to help her daughter, but remained cooly detached - Vibia now suspects her birth and existence was a reminder of a painful interaction with a somewhat sullen slave called Notus, but nonetheless Vibia found friendship and companionship with the other household slaves. TEENAGE YEARS [60 – 67 CE]: Her life changed for the better, however, during her teenage years. Her mother still distant and cool, Mellusa befriended a new arrival into the household; a musician skilled at the cithara who her Dominus had purchased at great expense. Slowly she began to be tutored, and whilst not a natural musician - she had enough wits to be able to recite simple pieces. This particular skill also brought her in closer proximity to her Dominus, who endeared her to play at dinners and parties in favour of his more highly skilled slave, owing to Mellusa's wider appeal and beauty. The attention she received was striking, and with hindsight it was her early adolescence and these interactions and the praise she reaped during them that set her on course to be the manipulative and cold woman she now is. Her later teenage years, and growing looks, also caught the attention of her Dominus for other reasons besides her skill with the cithara. She soon found herself forced into his bed, and whilst initially reticent - the man was going on in years and declining in looks, she soon found that it afforded her certain privileges, as faced with a youthful and charming slave, he was powerless. A widower with no children to follow him - for his son and wife had died in the fire at the docks in 62CE - his life lacked any great purpose. It was during a late night conversation after coupling, that Mellusa discovered his intention to free his slaves in his will, which painfully - given his age - still felt years off. ADULTHOOD [67 – 73 CE]: Now a young woman of seventeen, and still being forced into the drudgery of every day life of a slave, Mellusa grew restless. Her life seemed to be in limbo - on one hand she was a house slave, a musician and a lover to an aging man, and on the other she was a young woman on the cusp of life - knowing one day she will be freed, but having no firm sense as to when. But a new arrival into the household snapped her out of her indecision, and set her on a path that she could never escape. A new slave; Briontes, would entice his master more than Mellusa who was soon discarded, and demoted. Stripped of the comforts that being a lover to the Dominus could provide, Mellusa seethed. She would like to say she hesitated in her actions, but the truth is she didn't. Whether amoral from birth, or simply out of virtue of her upbringing, she snatched up her cithara - immensely valuable - and set off into the night. It did not take long, nor much asking around to find somebody from the Servian Collegium. Bored of her life, bored of the man that had used her and abandoned her, and desperately seeking the freedom she knew his will promised, she did the unthinkable for many slaves and sought an arrangement; her Dominus' life for the cost of her cithara and her free use to the Collegium should they ever need her. Whilst in retrospect she was escaping one form of servitude for another, in her haste she didn't even blink and agreed to it. It took a month, and for a brief moment Mellusa worried she had been used, but eventually, her chickens came home to roost. On the way back from dinner in a litter, her Dominus was attacked in what was made to look like a robbery. He lingered in their household for a week before finally succumbing, and the household was freed via testamentary manumission in 73CE. It did not take long, however, for the Collegium to come knocking. She was asked (but more like directed) to the door of Domus Venus. Whilst the peace and accord between the Collegium and the Syndicate was established, she supposed in their view it never hurt to have somebody on the inside. Whilst initially reticent to join the ranks of prostitutes in the brothel, her skill with music has saved her the most menial of tasks or grotesque of patrons to service. NOW [74 CE]: It has been a year since she entered Domus Venus and adopted the name 'Vibia' - keeping her past well and truly buried. During that time she has earned the respect of her fellow workers and the clients that pay her coin to perform or couple. The last year, however, has seen a change in her fortunes. Whilst not expected to routinely update her handlers in the Collegium, she is now in a predicament - having fallen for the last six months, into a relationship with Marcus Falco. She has yet to make the Collegium aware, but as his attentions are divided on other women in the brothel, and Calvanus, she's beginning to feel that bitter seed of resentment grow again. What she does next, and who she will ultimately end up serving; the Collegium, or the Syndicate, is really anybody's guess. Sara | GMT | Discord @Gothic

It's gorgeous there, but enormous. I think my partner and I ended up walking about 11 miles that day before we did the hike up Vesuvius later that afternoon...! It's actually pretty easy to get to from Naples (which is how we did it), but it's most definitely a full day activity, and pack plenty of water! We circled on the map all the places we actually wanted to visit, because you could easily spend the whole day just wandering the streets without seeing half of the things you wanted to! You will! It's so worth it!

Tertia Charis . ex-slave and present concubina to tertius quinctilius varus . . finished . . back in time/AUs . How to Train Your Dragon - September 71AD - Charis (Erea) & Ambrosius (Turi) Charis spends quality time with her brother in Britannia. Trading Words - Winter 71AD - Charis (Erea) & Aia (Aius) Charis trades blows with the interprex of the occupying legion. Brothers and Sisters, Sons and Daughters - December 72AD - Charis (Erea), Ambrosius (Turi) & Nymphias (Ardra) In Britannia, Charis spends time with her family. Run- Charis & Cynane - AU Charis and Cynane flee Rome . seventy-four AD . Little Bird Caged - Late March 74AD - Charis & Rufus Now enslaved, Charis meets Rufus in the market. The Meat Market - Late March 74AD - (NPC Charis), Tertius & Spurius Charis is sold to Tertius Quinctilius Varus. An Introduction - Late March 74AD - Charis & Teutus Charis is shown the ropes by fellow-slave Teutus. Great Expectations - Late March 74AD - Charis, Tertius & Teutus Charis is formally introduced to her dominus. Lost and Found - Late April 74AD - Charis & Cynane Lost in Rome, Charis stumbles across a fellow Briton. Respite - Late April 74AD - Charis & Gaius Charis tells her story to an old Equite. In Dreams - Early May 74AD - Charis & Tertius In the garden, passion and tension flares between Charis and her dominus. Years Apart - Early May 74AD - Charis & Airs Charis chances across the interprex again. Carpe Diem - Early May 74AD - Charis, Cynane & Helios In the gardens, a drunk Charis is too loose with her words about her dominus. Garden Games - Mid May 74AD - Charis, Teutus & Antonia Spending time with fellow-slave Teutus and his half sister, their domina, Antonia. The Bridge is Crossed - Mid May 74AD - Charis & Tertius [M - S] Having found out about her gossip, Tertius punishes Charis and forces her into his bed. Under the Morning Sun - Mid May 74AD - Charis & Teutus The next morning, Charis reflects with Teutus. What goes around... - Early June 74AD - Charis, Alexius & Helios Charis confronts gossip Helios, and is saved by Alexius. Daggers After Dark - Mid June 74AD - Charis & Thessala Charis is attacked and injured, only to be saved by a Gladiatrix. The Show Must Go On - Mid June 74AD - Charis & Tertius Charis reveals her injuries to Tertius, who takes pity on her. Life is a Lemon - Late June 74AD - Charis & Cynane Charis and Cynane catch-up. Work and Play - Early July 74AD - Charis & Helenus Charis chances across a thermae slave. Special Treatment - Mid July July 74AD - Charis & Tertius Charis and Tertius reconnect and take their relationship further. New Beginnings? - Mid July 74AD - Charis, Teutus, Tertius & Hector Charis is informed of her new position, officially becoming Tertius' bed slave. Summer Showers - Late July 74AD - Charis & Rufus Charis runs into Rufus and spends the afternoon with him. Reginus Georgus - Late July 74AD - Charis & Hector Bitter and jealous, Hector needles Charis. Lost in the Moment - Early September 74AD - Charis & Alexius Charis reconnects with Alexius, who faces the sting of a slap. A Visit - Mid September 74AD - Charis & Alexius Charis apologises to Alexius. I'm not your errand boy - Early December 74AD - Charis & Teutus Charis and Teutus make up after their vicious argument. A Trojan and a Goddess - Early December 74AD - Charis & Aeneas Charis stumbles across a face from her past. A Proposal - Mid December 74AD - Charis, Tertius, Titus & Longinus Charis serves at a meal of her dominus' and finds out about her sister. About Time - Late December 74AD - Charis, Tertius, Teutus & Hector Charis witnesses Teutus' freedom ceremony. Festivities - Late December 74AD - Charis & Tertius Charis and Tertius celebrate Saturnalia. . seventy-five AD . Unhappy News - Late February 75AD - Charis Charis finds out she's pregnant. Agony Aunt - Late February 75AD - Charis & Cynane Alone and scared, Charis seeks advice from her friend. A Favour- Late February 75AD - Charis & Teutus Charis borrows money from Teutus for an abortion. Revelations - Late February 75AD - Charis & Tertius Tertius finds out Charis is pregnant after she botches her abortion. He imprisons her in her room and they argue. Broken Conversations - Early May 75AD - Charis & Tertius Charis, broken, submits to Tertius and they talk. Time for Miracles- Late May 75AD - Charis & Alexius Alexius tries to fix Charis. Awakening - Mid June 75AD - Charis Charis feels conflicted over her struggles. Blue Sky - Late June 75AD - Charis & Tertius Charis and Tertius reconnect as they discuss their child. Evening Shade - Late June 75AD - Charis & Gaius Charis meets a soldier in the Gardens of Sullust. The Equality of Man - Late June 75AD - Charis, Tertius, Teutus & Hector As an earthquake strikes rome, the domus is cast into chaos. No Boundaries - Early July 75AD - Charis & Cynane Charis finally reunites with her best friend after five months apart. Exotic Finds - Early July 75AD - Charis & Aia Charis meets Aia by chance. A New Beginning - Late August 75AD - Charis, Tertius & Cynane Charis gives birth to her child. God Help the Outcasts - Late June 75AD - Charis & Aglaea Charis commiserates with another Varus slave and learns a secret. Transformation - Late August 75AD - Charis, Tertius & Teutus Charis' child is recognised as freeborn. Just One Night - Mid December 75AD - Charis & Alexius Charis lets loose for one night. Wait!- Mid December 75AD - Charis & Teutus Immediately after her night with Alexius, Charis reconnects with Teutus after he discovers them. . seventy-six AD . Everything I Wanted- Mid January 76AD - Charis, Tertius & Wulfric Charis meets a new Varus family member as he comes to greet Tertius. Any way the wind blows- Mid January 76AD - Charis & Wulfric, Teutus and Tertius A dinner for the family goes wrong. I have something to say- Mid February 76AD - Charis & Tertius Charis brings up her suspicions of Wulfric to her domine. Following Up- Mid March 76AD - Charis & Wulfric Charis spies on Wulfric. What Comes Next - Late March 76AD - Charis & Tertius Charis updates Tertius on Wulfric It's All Fun and Games - Mid June 76AD - Charis & Tertius Charis attends a gladiator match with her dominus. I Just Called to Say - Late August 76AD - Charis & Varinia Charis meets a very important woman from the household past. Take a Chance on Me - Late August 76AD - Charis & Tertius Tertius proposes to Charis. How have we ended up here? - Late December 76AD - Charis & Teutus Now freed, Charis updates Teutus. . seventy-seven AD . Unexpected Arrival - Mid April 77AD - Charis, Tertius & Hilda Charis intervenes in a family (?) argument. Something New- Early January 77AD - Charis & Cynane Cynane hears Charis' news and it does not go well. Sacrifice and Stalemates - Early January 77AD - Charis & Tertius Charis and Tertius bless their marriage. Mysterious Girl - Mid May 77AD - Charis, Marcus & Tertius Charis meets Silanus at a dinner party and it...goes badly. (62) . current . Deos Fortioribus Adesse - Early January 77AD - Charis, Teutus & Varinia Charis goes to dinner with some of her awkwardly extended family. No Idea - Early April 77AD - Charis & Aia A familiar face from her past crops up again. In this together - Early June 77AD - Charis & Tertius Charis finds out what Tertius did to defend her honour. (4)

Charis had been flustered that day. The work she now did in the small internal garden was more enjoyable, but more time consuming than working with Rhoda in the kitchens, and it wasn't as if the older Greek slave had let her off lightly. Generally when she had finished her planting or pruning she would be pulled back to help prepare meals. It meant that she had even less time than when she had first arrived, even though she had gained surer footing in the household. Fortuitously (and she had chalked it up to her prayers to the Gods the night before), her Dominus was otherwise occupied that morning and there was little to do in the garden and kitchens. She had insisted to those that asked, that she needed to venture into the city to collect cuttings for a rarer form of rose. A complete fabrication, but she would simply feign ignorance - that she couldn't find a vendor that had any, or couldn't find one at all. Patiently, she waited until what she assumed was the right hour and spirited out of the smaller entrance to the domus, ducking her head to avoid any inquisitive questions from any of her fellow slaves. Not that they had been speaking to her much - since her change in fortune and new responsibilities, many of them had been openly irritated. Evidently it was rare for a slave to dictate their choice in job and they'd been aggrieved that she seemed to have managed it. Blinking into the early afternoon sun, and relieved that the weather was at least cooler today, she glanced around. It was left, wasn't it? She hadn't ventured to the markets since she had first run into Cinnia and bit her bottom lip in a momentary panic that she couldn't remember the way. Glancing around, the worry evaporated from her face as she spotted the tall blonde leaning casually across the way. Grinning a smile that stretched across her face she waved a hand in greeting and hurriedly crossed over to her. "You remembered!" She spoke in their shared dialect with amusement, "I'm flattered you didn't forget about me." Arching a brow, she glanced back over her shoulder to make sure nobody had followed her out of her domus and gestured with her head further down the road. She started walking as she spoke, "They think I'm going to the market, not meeting you." With abandon she reached down to squeeze the other woman's hand, "How are you?" TAG: @Atrice

Charis blinked at the man stood in front of her. The heat had made her mind muddled and it took her a few moments before she realised what she must have looked like. She quickly sprung to her feet and offered a smile. She glanced cautiously over him and the man with flushed cheeks standing behind, who she assumed from his dress was a slave like herself. Which presumably would make this man a citizen. She had been warned not to try and imitate conversation with those who were free but...he had started this interaction, surely? She had just been sat, minding her business, trying desperately to cool down. Nonetheless, she kept her eyes respectfully down but took the offered water. "Thank you, sir." She said in accented Latin. Her linguistic ability had greatly improved over the last few weeks, thanks in part to Teutus' lessons, but largely down to just being surrounded by native speakers who had no patience for her own language. The water felt like nectar to her and she drank heavily. How on earth it was supposed to get hotter than this, and how she was supposed to carry out her duties in such conditions she had no idea. Finishing, she offered back the jug with a smile of gratitude. She did, however, fan her face with her spare hand - willing the flush from her cheeks to disappear. "I not used to heat," She offered by way of an explanation, "You very kind to offer help, sir." Feeling awkward, as she didn't know what to do, she shrugged her shoulders. "Do not let me delay you sir, you have important things do I am sure." More important than a melting Briton, she mused. TAG: @Gothic

Charis had to hold herself still to stop from rolling her eyes. Was not his intention? What was his intention for getting her to kneel, if not to cause her humiliation or pain? "It fine Domine, only hurts a little." It actually stung quite deeply, but it was nothing she couldn't weather, and it would heal with a compress and sleep. With a little shrug she spoke slowly, "I...ask them for guidance and strength." There was nothing incriminating about that, was there? "And who come out, in middle of night, not able to sleep but not sure why?" She offered a forced smile and a sigh, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear before moving to cals her hands together in front of her waist. "It was them...sending me you, Domine, for guidance." No, it was the Gods sending her her Domine as a test, as a mockery, surely? Charis was't sure what she'd done to deserve such wrath. Then again, they'd also offered her an opportunity, and a chance to use her wiles to better her situation - successfully. Their will and signs were above her mortal mind. Relieved that this interaction appeared nearly over, she smiled in solace. But glanced down at her leg, confused. "Domine you do not need to, I take care of cut." Please Gods, let him go back to sleep, let him leave me alone, "You my master...you not need to look after me." She leaned forward again, to pick up the plate that was next to him. "That my job, to...tend to you." She said, using his own words, but had to shake off the feeling of nausea that washed over her at the words. But before she could say anything further, another sound caught her attention and she turned to look over her shoulder to see another figure standing a little way off in the peristyle. She squinted in the moonlight to make out their face before realising who it was and turned her attention back to Tertius, gesturing with her head to the shadowy figure behind her. "Hector, Domine..." Gods she hoped she didn't have to make an enemy out of the body-slave to make her own life more bearable, but judging by his suspicious glance at Tertius and herself, she was well on the way. TAG: @Atrice

She glanced at his hand cautiously. She felt not unlike a little girl asking for her older brothers help, knowing there was a good chance he could well push her back down into the mud. Hesitantly, she took his hand gently and lifted herself up from the floor with a wince. “Thank you, Domine.” Even stood, her height and frame were dwarfed by him. “Just little cut.” She shrugged her shoulders and eyed the trickle of blood working its way down her shin. She tried to sound noncommittal, but it stung like a bitch. “I had worse on journey to Rome and when child.” She had a fine collection of faint scars from childhood scrapes and falling on her journey to Rome. Of course, the thin white line across her shoulder blades from the lash stood out most prominently. Brushing down her simple tunica, she tried to ignore the throbbing pain in her knees and instead leant to hold the cup of wine out for him, should he wish for another sip. “Gods answered my prayers,” She remarked absently as she stood in front of him. Offering a half smile she shrugged, “I ask them for guidance and then you appear.” TAG: @Atrice

Charis let out a breath as he remarked he enjoyed watching over, but he said it with kindness, rather than overt lechery at least. She knelt still as he continued to speak, eyes on the ants beneath her knees which were already sore from the stones beneath them. Relief washed over her as she realised it worked, and a small smile of genuine glee upturned the corners of her lips. Men were so predictable, and so long as he didn’t go father than looking at her, this arrangement would suit her perfectly. Not that she was concerned, he seemed far too occupied with Hector. All she needed to do know was shake was shaking the discomfort she felt as he studied her. After a moment, she smiled; “Thank you, Domine. You very kind.” Although it did occur to her that Rhoda would be short staffed and likely still require her to help...so in essence she was only doubling her work. Still, at least she’d be with nature again. Maybe the Gods were smiling on her after all - providing her an easy man to control and opportunities out of the realms of most slaves. Still, she chose to ignore his later comment. Tending to him...was surely above her; that was for Hector. Perhaps he just meant by providing flowers and serving at meals? She was going to stay quiet but felt a stone dig into her leg as she adjusted her position on the floor and gasped. She felt the faintest trickle of blood run down her shin and winced visibly. Hesitantly, she spoke; “Can I get up, Domine? The rocks...hurt.” Gods this was humiliating, but at least it’s all the humiliation he wants from me. TAG: @Atrice

Charis shut her eyes, breathing hard through her nose to steady her nerves at his diatribe. She shook her head. "You would not want to," She agreed, hoping to placate him. "I do not want to be disobedient, I..." She stopped herself from saying anything else, besides "I am sorry, Domine." She did not want to look weak, or pitiful, and explaining her upset at being forced to do his whims against her will was hardly going to make her appear strong. It would undoubtedly just irritate him. And so she stayed quiet, wincing at the pain from the stone beneath her knees. She had learnt, since their first meeting some six weeks ago and this time she didn't flinch as he touched her face, nor did she look at him. When she did open her eyes, she kept them on the ground. Nonetheless, she felt sick inside. Trying to feign long-lost confidence, she inhaled a breath and spoke slowly - her Latin having improved considerably, but still nowhere near perfect. She had to concentrate on every word. "Because I want to please you." Gods save me, this is humiliating, "Because I have skill, and can plant and pick beautiful flower and herbs for healing and food." Her forte had always been on the medicinal, but she was confident she could expand her work. Fingers curling into her palms, she shrugged her shoulders lightly; "And you can...look at me, here, in garden." She wasn't looking at him to see his reaction, but hoped it had the desired effect. In truth, she felt caught between a rock and a hard place. On one hand, the thought of him...looking at her, doing anything with her made her feel ill. But on the other, she knew that maybe it was the only chance she stood of getting reward, money, help in securing her freedom. She was nonetheless clear though, all she wanted to do was get him to like her and nothing more. The other slaves had said he hadn't taken a woman since his wife died, and before that hadn't bedded a female slave since Teutus' mother. That gave her hope. If she could just...suggest a temptation, perhaps, without having to follow through - that might be the best of both worlds. In that vein, she offered a fake, half-smile. "Does Domine like to look at me?" TAG: @Atrice