Sara

Vibia didn't rise to his bait. Yes - it was his fault. He should get an unattractive scar on his face or get knocked on his head and lose his sense of humour or something. Make himself less palatable. She watched as he almost seemed to gear himself up for his little speech and she sank back into the luxury of the pillows with a devilish smirk on her face. His huffing and puffing and rant was adorable, really. "...That wasn't a no." She pointed out, stating the obvious. "Nor is her ruining her perfectly polished patrician reputation to yell at you, evidence that she doesn't like you. She clearly thinks enough of you to point out that you're being a fool..." She held up her hands in defence, "At least to some people." Shrugging she dropped her hands back to the bed and gave him a look. "Not much you can do if she's marrying your brother, and you're intent on this plan. But I don't know..." She shrugged, "Maybe you shouldn't be quite so hard on her at family gatherings." She gave him an amused smile, "And maybe you should distract yourself with other women." TAG: @Chevi

Ovinia was glad she was slim as she squashed herself into the corner of the litter. She heard the grunts of effort as the bearers picked up the litter and they slowly, very slowly, began to stumble down the road. She purposefully kept her hand on the side, keeping the curtain pulled back so her bodyslave could peer in, if required. She nonetheless returned Alexius' awkward smile with one of her own. "Yes. Thank you." She glanced sideways out to the streets beyond them. It was busy - probably because of the games and entertainment, and she let out a soft sigh, trying to distract herself in the music and the crowds that drifted past. It wasn't working though and she cast a cautious glance at Alexius. "I'm sorry, I'm not myself." She shrugged and wrapped herself tighter in her palla. "Lots on my mind." Like men and their idiocy and decisions she had to make, and make quickly. She wanted to enjoy today but every time she tried to drag herself into thoughts of gladiatorial match, they drifted back to the irritating imperial party, to a windy walk in the gardens of sallust and a scene outside a burning insula. She huffed, irritated at herself. "Distract me." She flicked her eyes to Alexius and as they crossed over a series of stepping stones, the litter jolted and her knee knocked his, "Tell me something that we'll do today that's fun." She didn't see the innuendo before, or after, she said it. TAG: @Atrice

Vibia met his tilted head with a look of her own and an amused smile on her lips. It was cute how almost...defensive he was. Deciding to make things awkward, given he'd shot an arrow first, she shrugged and spoke, revealing a part she revealed to very few people; "I don't know about that, when I was a slave many years ago my dominus had a niece like her. She used to badger me with questions on everything from 'what does it mean when a man smiles at you' to 'why does he ignore me and tease me?'" She rolled her eyes at how infantile it all was. "Girls like that are easily confused. You've got me in your sway," She arched a brow at him - not entirely but he was magnetic and she looked forward to his company which was...the highest honour of all, "Imagine what you do to a naive, innocent, silly young woman. She might have a husband lined up but..." She shrugged, "There's always a bit of a thrill in the forbidden, no?" She tilted her head at him, "You're telling me you don't like her?" TAG: @Chevi

It had been a few days since her encounter with Wulfric and Charis...didn't know what to make of it. She had debated keeping her mouth shut, claiming that she hadn't been able to find him and hope Tertius forgot about it...but history had taught her that lies would always come out in the wash, and she'd not escape unscathed if Tertius found out she'd been dishonest. No - she had to tell him but...tell him what? That Wulfric found her out? Didn't trust her? Didn't reveal anything? Would that be worse than lying to Tertius, to let him know she'd failed? She sighed and realised there was no way to know unless she did it. Pushing herself up from her cot and pausing by her son's crib to leave a gentle kiss on his forehead, she glided through the domus to his tablinum. Her dominus looked deep in thought and she hesitated on the periphery. Maybe she should come back at another time? But he glanced up and offered her a smile. She returned it before she dropped her eyes and stepped in at his instruction, moving to stand in front of his desk, hands neatly folded over her waist. "I..." She hesitated, trying to get the words right, "I thought I should update you domine, I managed to find your-" she corrected herself, "Wulfric. Our guest from dinner. I thought you might be interested in what he had to say but if you are busy, I can find another time." Because I really need to work out how to tell you that I've learned absolutely nothing, and ruined my chances of finding out anymore. TAG: @Atrice

Vibia grinned, her teeth gleaming and eyes wrinkled in abject amusement. Bless him; maybe he and the dull brunette were made to be - idiots together. "I don't think she knows what she wants," She countered with a light little shrug, "But I don't know the girl at all. Maybe I'm seeing things," She smirked, "But to get that flustered and annoyed and embarrassed? I'd say she likes one of you, not that she knows it - you or Marcus, and if she's marring your brother...I'd say on balance of probabilities, it's probably you." She arched a brow. "Unless you're about to tell me you don't know her at all and that was the first time in your life you'd met her and I'm being ridiculous." TAG: @Chevi

She made a noise of contentment as he settled on her leg and peered down at him, a lopsided, amused smirk on her lips. He was an idiot. "Girls like that don't know anything do they?" She countered and moved to run her fingers through his hair and across his jaw, "Bless them - they're innocent little flowers who get married quickly and live a life of terrible, boring sex and even more boring husbands." It sounded, frankly, like torture. Sighing, realising that she might need to be more plain to him, she shifted and then wrapped her hands either side of his face to encourage him to look up at her. "Maybe she was embarrassed? Maybe she expected you to be kinder given well...." She smirked and shrugged, not finishing that thought for him, "She'll get married to your brother because she has to but...all women, innocent or not have desires." She grinned now, "That's why you're an idiot." TAG: @Chevi

Ovinia blinked and looked at him. He was a freedman...was that...not normal? That she'd invite him? She knew how to deal with slaves and had dealt with enough of them ambling along next to the litter, but she hadn't really ever had a dealing with a freedman. She thought she was being polite, offering him a seat but regretted it somewhat. She'd be surrounded by slaves with her litter bearers...they'd attest to the fact that nothing inappropriate happened, wouldn't they? Self-consciously she glanced behind her to her body slave, lingering a few steps away. "Melia, you'll walk alongside the litter and then return with it to the domus." There. That way she had a chaperone but could get some alone time with Alexius once they were there. They walked through into the cold sun of the November day. She glanced sideways to him, trying to gauge how many of her questions were stupid. "How many fights will there be? They're not to the death are they?" She wasn't afraid of gore but the crowds in the death matches she'd seen years ago, were not to her tastes. Blood really brought out the worst in the plebs of Rome, she was sure. The litter wasn't long behind her question, hauled by six brawny slaves who were - despite the chill - wearing almost nothing but thin tunics and slave collars. She glanced at it and then at Alexius, biting down on her lip. It would be a squeeze to put it mildly. She cleared her throat, as if anticipating that Alexius would offer a hand to help her in as they set it down, but then realised he wasn't a slave. He didn't have to. She blinked and coughed again so one of the litter bearers came running and held out a hand to help her in. Mercifully it was a small trip down to the arena but as she settled herself in and tried to press herself into a corner, she nonetheless looked a fraction...worried. TAG: @Atrice

"Curious in a...curious way." She teased with a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. From her vantage point the young woman hadn't seemed especially interested in much beyond the men of the party, and one in particular. "I don't think that's why she was bent out of shape." She chuckled. She moved to prop herself up against the cushions, fluffing them until she was half-sat up, peering down at him. She plucked a feather from her shoulder as if she had nothing better to do, being irritatingly evasive. "To look at you I'd have thought you'd have plenty of experience with women. Enough to...you know...understand them." She shook her head and moved her fingers to ruffle his hair, "And not be an idiot." TAG: @Chevi

Vibia frowned, not understanding him for a moment. The woman at the party? The prissy brunette? "Your brother's marrying her?" She...did not seem much like she was interested in a spouse judging by the smiles and pouts she'd shot the man in her bed all night, and amusing Marcus and the Imperial. Curious. "Curious..." She grinned to herself and flopped back onto her back, staring up at the silks pinned in waves to her ceiling, "Curious, curious, curious. It was unpleasant of you to tease her though mind. I'd understand if she did hate your guts." TAG: @Chevi

She gave a dramatic pout and sad eyes, "Don't make me sad!" at his proclamation it would be a decade or two. She was half-tempted to ask if he knew anybody else his age and build and...skillset that would enjoy her company but decided to leave it, so as not to ruin the moment. "Maybe she's worried about her reputation," Vibia offered at the mention of a potential sister-in-law, obviously not twigging that she'd already met the woman concerned, "Because of your delicious scandal. But I'm glad your brother is taking it well." She moved a finger to sweep over his cheekbone, "You deserve to be happy." TAG: @Chevi

"Also, I am sorry... for what he did. I would not." But she didn't know that for sure and she gave him a sad smile. Tertius was impossible to read and harder still to understand. She thought she'd understood Wulfric that day in the domus but suspicion had creeped in and after this conversation she was positive there was something lurking underneath. He might not have had the mean streak like his father, but he was not entirely honest, even she could see that. "I will see you around, sir." She inclined her head and paused - about to add that she hoped Peregrinus might get to know his brother, but stopped herself, slamming her mouth shut again. Instead, she nodded again and then turned on her heel and walking out and away from the warehouse, ignoring the looks the men who worked there gave her. All she could think on her long walk home was; how am I going to explain this to Tertius? TAG: @Atrice - FIN!

She let out a genuine, delighted laugh at his poem and a grin stretched from ear to ear. Maybe she should paint that above her door as a greeting to all of her clients. It was perfect. She couldn't tell whether broaching the elephant in the room was a good idea or a bad one but he didn't seem to mind talking on it. Narrowing her eyes on his face she nodded. "Mhmm." She nudged him, "Being notorious is more fun than you think though. And you can do what you want, what you really want for the first time in your life. That's exciting...but you don't seem very excited." She chuckled. "Worried you'll be lonely?" She was only joking but realised she might have hit a nerve and covered with a bluff; "I'll still be here if you can scrape your coins together." TAG: @Chevi

Ovinia frowned at her reflection in the very pricey mirror on the table in her room. She'd never attended the Ludi Plebeii - why would she have, after all, she wasn't a plebeian and deciding what to wear was proving to be more of a challenge than it should have been. She didn't want to be overdressed and draw undue attention to herself amongst the commoners, even with Alexius there that seemed like a recipe for disaster but then again...maybe it would be aspirational for them? And in any case, there were rich plebs weren't there? She settled on a deep, dark yellow chiton and a pink palla embroidered with flowers in a darker pink thread and bedecked with drops of gold stitched on. It wasn't her finest set of clothes but it was certainly a cut above what she imagined most would be wearing at the arena. She reasoned a distraction - even catcalls - would be good for her. As her ornatrix finished weaving the simple twist across her hair - leaving the rest down to denote her unmarried status - Ovinia sighed. She had talked about this with Alexius months ago and had been excited but today all she felt like she could muster was a muted smile at herself. After clasping some gold bangles around her wrists she finally stood and glided out into the atrium to meet Alexius. He'd dressed up and with a self-conscious glance down at herself she realised both that; the colours of their outfits clashed and that his best clothes made hers look like a bloody costume. Still - she'd kept him waiting long enough and she thought her slaves might have a breakdown if she asked to change again. "Ready when you are. The litter is big enough for two." She offered him a smile, although knew the litter bearers would groan at the sight of Alexius and having to heave him to the arena. "Who are we seeing again?" she asked as she moved to the door, a distracted look passing across her face. TAG: @Atrice

"The very best entertainment, I'll have you know." And she was utterly fine with that. Some men might have tried to persuade themselves that they had a lover in Vibia but that delusion was faintly pathetic in her eyes. She was a sex worker and paid for her time and company, the fact some men couldn't see that was sad. At least Lucius could though. "You could be more enthusiastic," She arched a brow and returned to lying on her stomach, placing her jaw in her palm and tilting her head to watch him, "That reads like a review of a popina. Is excellent in bed all you got?" She was teasing him but revelled in the compliments. She'd never intended on or wanted to become a prostitute but this was the hand fate (or her own foolishness) had dealt her and well...she at least wanted to be good at it. Stifling a yawn in her palm she returned her gaze to Lucius. "When does it all take effect then? Your adoption?" TAG: @Chevi

"Mhmm. Ditto." Although she also had a fondness for well painted wall paintings, particularly of the most lurid mythologies. If she could convince Titiania she'd get one painted in here, perhaps of Leda and the Swan. "All sorts," She grinned and tossed her hair falling into her face, "There was one about you and your brother...at least if that's who Gaius is." And if he looked anything like his sibling, Vibia would of happily partaken in a Roscius brother sandwich, as suggested on the walls of Rome. "And one saying what a waste it is that you're abandoning your station. From a spurned lover, perhaps." She smirked and arched a brow. That one had been not in her neatest script, but it sufficed. "Of course there's also lots about me as well, I hope some of the complimentary reviews are from you." TAG: @Chevi

Titus Balventius Marcianus . vigile . . finished . . seventy-six AD . We Didn't Start the Fire - Mid August 76AD - Titus & LuciusWhilst dealing with an insula fire, Titus finds help along the patricians. Lost in Rome - Mid September 76AD - Titus & SosiaTitus helps a lost Rome-newbie home. Curbside Patrol - Mid November 76AD - Titus & LuciusTitus sees the aftermath of an argument and welcomes a new recruit. All Talk - Mid December 76AD - Titus & LuciusAfter the fire, Titus speaks with a colleague. Once, on Saturnalia Eve - Mid December 76AD - Titus, Ovinia & LuciusOvinia causes a fire and the vigiles have to clean up the mess. . seventy-seven AD . Stop Right There! - Mid February 77AD - Titus & BestiaTitus deals with an irritant in Rome. Just another day - Mid April 77AD - Titus & MelissaTitus literally stumbles upon somebody seeking relaxation. Lessons in Leadership - Mid April 77AD - Titus & LuciusCenturion Roscianus gets a wake up call from a disgruntled Titus. (8) . current . Storytime - Mid June 77AD - Titus & IophonIophon gets on the wrong side of Titus. (1)

Ovinia Camilla . senator's daughter . . finished . . back in time/AU's . The Tempest [M] - 76D - Ovinia & Lucius - AUShipwrecked on an island, Ovinia gets to know her only company. All's fair in love and war [M] - 78-79AD - Ovinia & Lucius - AUAn enslaved Ovinia meets her new owner. What Could Have Been?- 91-93AD - Ovinia & Lucius - AUWhat could have happened if Ovinia and Lucius had chosen to never speak again. Innocents Abroad [M] - Modern Day - Ovinia & Lucius - AUOvinia (Camilla) and Lucius meet in the modern world. Vigilantes [M] - Modern Day - Ovinia & Lucius - AUModern day superhero AU. . seventy-six AD . What's a Girl Got to Do? - Early May 76AD - Ovinia & LuciusWhilst out enjoying the sunshine, Ovinia chances on a rogue and a bet is placed. This is a First- Early May 76AD - Ovinia & TeutusOvinia speaks to a potential prospect... Prayers for What?-Mid June 77AD - Ovinia & MarcusOvinia attends Matronalia and meets Silanus. Awkward is an Understatement - Mid June 76AD - Ovinia, Gaius & LuciusWith her brother, Ovinia attends a very awkward dinner. Weary Travellers - Early July 76AD - Ovinia & SosiaWhilst on the road back to Rome, Ovinia meets a fellow traveller. For Crying Out Loud- Late July 76AD - Ovinia & AlexiusOvinia is attacked and saved by a dashing guard. A Day for Neptune - Late July 76AD - Ovinia & LuciusOvinia accidentally attends Neptunalia with Lucius. Second Time Lucky - Early August 76AD - Ovinia & GaiusOvinia meets Gaius one to one after their awkward dinner. One Magic Autumn Eve - Mid September 76AD - Ovinia & lotsOvinia attends and works at an Imperial party. Curbside Patrol - Mid November 76AD - Ovinia & LuciusOvinia sees what has become of Lucius. A Most Important Lesson - Mid November 76AD - Ovinia & AlexiusOvinia and Alexius take a trip to the games and she...has some questions. Winter Storm- Mid November 76AD - Ovinia & GaiusOvinia confronts Gaius over what she saw at the insula and a proposition is made. I give that you might give - Mid November 76AD - Ovinia & TiberiusOvinia chances across the host of the party and Imperial, Tiberius. To Gaius Vipsanius Roscius - Mid December 76AD - Ovinia & GaiusOvinia writes a letter to Gaius. Once, on Saturnalia Eve - Mid December 76AD - Ovinia & LuciusOvinia causes a fire and gets a kiss. Another Time Then [M] - Mid December 76AD - Ovinia, Barbatius & JasonOvinia is seriously attacked and rescued by a slave. Unbelievable - Late December 76AD - Ovinia & LuciusOvinia is forced to relieve her trauma and give an account to the vigiles. Battle Wounds - Late December 76AD - Ovinia & AiaA self-conscious Ovinia speaks to an unexpected friend in the baths. Winter Walk - Late December 76AD - Ovinia & LuciusOut and about, Ovinia meets up with Lucius and they...fall out. . seventy-seven AD . Visitation Rights - Early January 77AD - Ovinia & AlexiusAlexius comes to visit Ovinia after her attack, and tells her a secret has been spilled. A Sarmatian and a Senator's daughter - Mid January 77AD - Ovinia & JasonOvinia's unexpected saviour drops by. Writings on the wall - Mid January 77AD - Ovinia & LuciusAn argument on a wall escalates, before Lucius and Ovinia make up. A Day of Culture - Late January 77AD - Ovinia, Lucius & AlexiusOvinia takes Alexius out for a day as a Patrician. Dinner for Two - Mid February 77AD - Ovinia & LuciusOvinia and her brother dine and catch-up. Judge and Jury - Late February 77AD - Ovinia & ABLThe ABL decide what to do with Barbatius. What it feels like- Late February 77AD - Ovinia & PinariaPinaria helps calm Ovinia down after her outburst at Barbatius. Everythings Changing - Late February 77AD - Ovinia, Lucius & Lucius OviniusThe Ovinii-Camili are updated on the hunt for the barber, and Ovinia snatches a moment with Lucius. What Little I know- Late February 77AD - Ovinia & Aia - MAia educates Ovinia in...the romantic arts. The Gift of Conversation - Mid March 77AD - Ovinia & TeutusOvinia is on the hunt for a new gift. The Whole Truth - Mid March 77AD - Ovinia & Tiberius (+ABL)Ovinia gives her testimony. Who waits forever anyway- Late March 77AD - Ovinia & AlexiusOvina tries to soothe Alexius' broken heart. Cerealia: A Day at the Races- Mid April 77AD - Ovinia, Lucius Ovinius, Publius etcOvina watches the races and meets some new people. Cerealia: Grand Finale-Mid April 77AD - Ovinia & ABLOvina watches the downfall of Marcus Barbatius. Flowers for Spring -Late April 77AD - Ovinia & Lucius - MOvina meets Lucius and says those three words. The day that never was - Early May 77AD - Ovinia & Lucius - MOvinia crosses a line with Lucius at an abandoned domus. A Private Celebration - Mid May 77AD - Ovinia & Lucius - MOvinia and Lucius celebrate their birthdays privately and lament what could have been. Chaos Ensues- Early July 77AD - Ovinia, Titus & Lucius - MOvinia and Lucius get caught and then cross the final boundary. (42) . current . Delivery for a...friend? -Mid May 77AD - Ovinia & TeutusTeutus delivers some goods for Ovinia. What a Coincidence - Early April 77AD - Ovinia, Lucius & SosiaOvinia plays match-maker. What will be, will be - Early June 77AD - Ovinia & MarcusOvinia finds an injured Silanus. Testing the Waters - Early June 77AD - Ovinia & PubliusOvinia meets a suitor. (4)

She gave him a look and then grinned a beaming smile that lit up her face. "Not proper enough, no. I have high standards, you know that." More that she enjoyed herself with him, which was rare, and she wasn't willing to give that up just yet. A few more hours was absolutely fine by her. As he turned to his side she relaxed down against the pillows and studied his features, blue eyes narrowing on his face. She knew about art; she'd been invited on various excursions with various rich men over the years to dull little temples and such with their ugly frescos and boring statues (not an erect penis among them). "What sort of art?" She smirked, "I can tell you where to find the best graffiti in the city, some beautiful if not anatomically incorrect drawings. I've seen you featured as well, it's complimentary of course. For the most part." TAG: @Chevi

November, 76AD Vibia yawned and then stretched - elongating every muscle of her body with a satisfied 'mhmm' sound before collapsing back into the den of silks and sheets that made up her bed. Or...it used to make up her bed, in neat and orderly fashion but she and Lucius had left it in a heap that strew not only the surface but the floor...along with the chiton she'd been wearing, and his own clothes. Now safely ensconced within the sheets, fire in the corner of the room burning and incense sticks fragrancing the space, she felt utterly content. Well...content besides one particular bone she had to pick with the young man next to her. Propping her jaw in her palm she shifted onto her side and peered down at him. "You're telling me that this is not worth staying a patrician for?" The smile tugged on her lips and she arched a brow, amused. "I have equite friends," A polite euphemism for clients, "Too you know. Just not bankrupt ones. You stay rich and this doesn't have to be goodbye." He hadn't told her his plans, they hadn't exactly had time before they got...down to things, but the news had reached her fairly quickly after it became public. He was one of her favourites; young, attractive, good in bed and fun which was a bonus very few in her profession got to enjoy. It was a loss to her - and not just financial, although she wasn't foolish as to get sentimental or anything about it. "I trust you've paid for a full afternoon though, if you're set on this path. Make it a proper farewell." TAG: @Chevi

Charis frowned at him. He was suddenly nice? She swallowed a scoff. Perhaps he was as much an actress as she was and this was a front, but as he posed his question she doubted it. He sounded genuinely surprised; as if the notion a master couldn't do whatever they wanted with a slave hadn't occurred or reached him. She gave him a quizzical look and nodded her head slightly, tears drying around her eyes. "It was long ago." She countered with another pit forming in her stomach - perhaps she was speaking too much? "And I deserved it, and he has since forgiven me and I have learned my place." Tertius couldn't take offence to that, surely, if Wulfric did go behind her back and repeat it...right? She raised a balled up fist to wipe at her eyes and sniffed again. "I've taken up too much of your time." She said with a weak smile, "Thank you for indulging me." TAG: @Atrice

The woman's warmth to her son was perplexing, most citizens just ignored the boy (wrongly) assuming he was just the brat of a slave. Hearing her name called she glanced up with the faintest hint of a frown on her features. How did she...? Teutus? The frown deepened, and stayed there as the woman gave her name. She'd heard it before, but from where she couldn't place it. She tried to dredge back through the recesses of her mind for clues. She was somehow known to Teutus which narrowed the list a little and her mind quickly worked to pull apart the conversations she'd had with him, which admittedly had been more sparse since he'd upped and left the domus. It hit her with a wave of force and her face lost any facade of neutrality. She recalled the conversation so closely in her mind's eye, the morning after her night with Alexius, just passed Saturnalia; "She's called Varinia. She was taller than you - I think I get my height from her, and my build. She's got dark hair and blue eyes - or were they grey? It doesn't matter. People did say I looked like her, though I've heard them say I look like my father, too, for what it's worth" She matched the description to a tee and Charis could see it now, why her features looked so familiar. She wasn't related to Tertius, she was related to Teutus. But even just a quick glance at the woman and her finery suggested - clearly - that she was no longer the slave Teutus spoken of. "You are Teutus' mother." She said - it wasn't a question, but a glimmer of a smile sat on her lips as she managed to school her features back to being more neutral. "He has been looking for you, was looking for you for some time. I...am glad he has found you, domina." Peregrinus wriggled on her hip and she adjusted his weight with a wince. He really was getting too heavy for this, or perhaps she just wasn't strong enough. Turning her attention back to Varinia, she shifted on her feet. "Is...Is the dominus expecting you?" It sounded an innocent question but there was a weight of concern behind her words; she had no idea how he'd react and didn't much want to be here when he found out. TAG: @Sarah

She smiled slightly, only the very corner of her mouth lifting into a smirk as Alexius corrected her father. Good for him. Her father nodded, grinning from ear to ear; "Yes. Yes you do that and get your employer to write you a reference as well, they'll know what it is." As if Alexius wouldn't. She suppressed the urge to roll her eyes. "Got to make sure everything is as it should be, and your present mast-" he stopped himself from saying 'master' with a cough and a smile, "Employer is happy with your performance before I let you loose with my daughter. As I said, she's precious." Because - Ovinia reasoned - she was his only chance of finding a suitable man to bring into the family through marriage. "But you should get yourself to bed." He gave Ovinia a paternal look of concern and she nodded, turning her face up to Alexius' with a smile, a genuine one of relief. "Thank you, again, for what you did. You have my sincere gratitude." More than she could really verbalise. Had he not been there then...she blinked such thoughts away. "Aaand, I suppose I'll be seeing you again Alexius." With an irreverent grin she added, "For the games we agreed we'd attend." Probably better to float it in front of her father now so that Alexius could follow up. With another warm smile she left his side and moved to lean up on her toes to kiss her father's cheek. "Father." Before she drifted back to her own rooms for a night of fitful sleep and lectures from her father. TAG: @Atrice

Ovinia was fuming. She was fuming at herself that she hadn't worked it out sooner and missed the men's smirks and the way others at the party practically salivated over the woman, and she was fuming that they had the gall to bring a prostitute to a party frequented by unmarried young women. Was Marcus out of his mind? It was surely the only logical explanation. As Lucius made a weak attempt to explain, she shot him a look that could have rivalled Medusa's and turned him into stone. She wished he was made of stone. "Don't even..." She seethed, trying to keep her voice low and out of earshot of both the woman and the other guests. She heard Marcus begin a similarly poor explanation, and she passed an irritated huff because she had complimented her musical ability. About to protest, she felt a hand around her arm pulling her closer and she blinked in shock. She listened to Marcus' lecture - because that was what it was - at first with an angry glint in her eyes and a mouth so down turned if the wind changed and she was stuck like it, she'd never find a husband. But Ovinia was many things, and chief amongst them was that she was - despite Lucius and Marcus' attempts otherwise - good at following orders. She lived her life very much in the confines of the role she'd been allotted by the Gods, which was that of the deferential young woman. The spark she had was very rarely glimpsed and as Marcus insisted that she treat her with the respect she should have, Ovinia felt herself close off. It was a similar speech to one she imagined her father or brothers might give her, despite the fact that they were very clearly in the wrong. For a moment she saw Marcus twenty years in the future saying much the same thing to his wife and slaves and children. She maintained in her mind that it was utterly unacceptable to invite a prostitute to this sort of event, but she wasn't going to make a scene - she had been brought up better than that. Instead, she wordlessly, dutifully, nodded and offered the woman a tight smile. The wine was a relief and she took a sip. And then another, but she couldn't stand the smirk that sat on the blonde's face nor the presence of Marcus and Lucius. With an inclination of her head she flourished both the men with a gracious, awfully faux smile and shrugged. She was being polite - she was following Marcus' speech, but she couldn't abide it. "I'm afraid I'll have to leave you gentlemen to your entertainer of..." She glanced at Lucius, "Many qualities," and then she glanced at Marcus, "and many talents." She took a sip, "I'm sure you'll be enthralled. Excuse me." She didn't wait for a response and instead whipped round to storm off across the gardens. She stopped herself after a couple of steps with; do not make a scene, Ovinia Camilla. She adjusted her pace and instead languidly slipped away, dodging the crowds to find a secluded spot where she could let out her frustration on some unsuspecting idiot or shrub. TAG: @Chevi @Atrice

Charis grinned as she gripped onto Peregrinus' chubby little hand as he made some tentative steps around the atrium. Her son's first birthday had been the preceding week and Charis couldn't quite believe the tiny, fragile little newborn she'd held to her chest a year ago was now an infant, tottering about the domus (with her or furniture's assistance), saying 'Tata' upon sight at Tertius and 'Ka-rish' - the toddler approximation of her name when he saw her. She'd prayed for a 'Mama' until Rhoda had gently pulled her aside and said it would be better, simpler for her and the boy if he learned her place as his slave during infancy. It had hurt her in more ways than she could count, but reluctantly agreed - the last thing she wanted was to risk herself or the boy's fortune by embarrassing Tertius with his heirs exclamations of 'Mama!' directed at her, when he had company. She also couldn't quite believe she was a mother. She'd always wanted children - although most definitely not this way - but she was still so girlish in so many ways, and had only just turned twenty-two, a week before her son. It had come naturally though - mothering. Maybe it was because her son was priority in the house and so she spent more time with him than anybody, but she enjoyed it - sleepless nights aside. Occasionally she longed for the days of working in the garden, particularly now Peregrinus was grown and could no longer be plonked in a basket so she could help out there, but by and large she'd come to motherhood naturally and with fervent enthusiasm. The leeway Tertius gave them both, likewise, was appreciated - like the fact he had no qualms about letting his toddling son loose throughout the domus to practice his walking. It did make for an unexpected sight though, when a guest was admitted like the tall, well-dressed woman who suddenly stepped through. Peregrinus let out an exclamation of glee accompanied by some babbling, struggling against Charis' hand to reach out to the newcomer. She looked so finely dressed, but was not somebody she'd seen in Dominus' house before. A relative perhaps? There was something strangely familiar about her features that Charis couldn't place. She'd never met his sister - could this be Quinctilia? Blinking and scooping her protesting son up onto her hip with effort she dropped her eyes and inclined her head and uttered in her accented Latin a simple greeting: "Domina." Peregrinus was babbling something next to her ear and trying to reach up to tug at her braid. She let him as she glanced over her shoulder. "Are you here to visit the Dominus? He should be on his way back from his court soon. May-" Peregrinus let out another giggle, interrupting her and she shifted him on her hip, "May I fetch you some refreshment?" TAG: @Sarah

Ovinia glanced to her left and her face briefly registered a look of surprise as her name was called. She had not been expecting to see an imperial, and certainly not one that had graciously hosted her and her fellow youths at that peculiar party the preceding month. Surprise quickly turned to delight and a warm smile tugged at her lips. She hadn't much of an opportunity to speak with him that night or - at least - she hadn't wanted to interrupt the moon-eyes and practically audible heart flutters going on between himself and Horatia Sosia. She might have been a little jealous, but she wasn't cruel. "Salve, Tiberius Claudius Sabucius." Her smile turned to a grin as she nimbly descended the temple steps, "I'm well, thank you - enjoying the last of the autumn sun before the season changes and my fingers freeze into blocks of ice whenever I leave my domus." Chuckling she finally made her way completely down to by his side, her bodyslave dutifully following silently behind, alongside a brawnier, red-faced Germanic slave her father had procured since the incident with that maniac with a knife. "And you? Venturing anywhere in particular or simply a trip out of the Palace to see some sights?" She glanced behind him to the stream of slaves and Praetorian's, she didn't know whether she'd delight in the attention should she have a similar entourage, or whether she'd find it a deep nuisance. TAG: @Sarah