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Sara

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  1. Sara
    Longinus choked on his wine, but mercifully (for the slaves), managed to gulp it down before it spluttered everywhere. Well...that was unexpected. He himself had little to do with the vigiles but woe-betide anybody who mention them when his mother was in the house; she was convinced that during the Civil War they were responsible for the thefts from the domus that sat unattended. "Isn't that for the eques?" He asked with curiosity, although it was very much stating the obvious. "Why on earth does he want to go ordering a load of slaves and freedmen into burning buildings or nighttime brawls?" He shook his head, "I see the appeal -" He held up his hands in defence, "Of doing something for the Empire, and getting a bit of action...but he realises being a Tribune is as much about paperwork as it is about actually doing something? Right?" He took a sip of wine. "What did you say?" TAG: @Sharpie
  2. Sara
    Horatia merely leant to capture his hand, leaving a kiss on his knuckles. "And speaking of women with keen minds," She gave him a wry smile, "I note his consilium - naturally - is absent of any women." It wasn't their place to be in those sorts of environments, she knew that of course. "But I wonder if in those meetings the idea of an Augusta has been floated? I know the previous Augusta was good for Quintus," And was a genuinely decent woman - unlike nightmarish women of the past, "But I suspect if you're thinking of Calpurnia for Tiberius, perhaps our Caesar doesn't have marriage on the mind? Or no inclination to beget an heir?" He was - naturally - the most eligible bachelor in the Empire. She didn't think their daughter would be right for him, and she - much like her mother - would hate the limelight, but to her mind he needed somebody. And not just a pretty face that could be draped on his arm at social occasions. TAG: @Sharpie
  3. Sara
    He merely shrugged at her statement. He wasn't going to argue and suggest he was inhuman, but then again he had long ago learned that railing against injustice the second you want to, rarely achieves anything. He loathed the class system, but he was one man and knew he wasn't going to disrupt it by himself, much as he might like to. Marriage? He glanced across at her. She was beautiful, so at least in his estimation it wouldn't be hard to find a man. But he suspected - like with most things of their ilk, it wasn't as simple as that. "Got any contenders?" He asked, to be polite, because he realised early on that's what rich people liked - small talk. Her statement that she grew up out of Rome and had only just moved here, likewise, didn't surprise him. He felt for her - the city was probably an overwhelming nightmare after the serenity of the countryside. "Yes." He replied with a terse smile and a shrug and chose not to elaborate. Silence swelled between them for a moment and realising that - unlike with his colleagues - he couldn't be quite so sharp and short with a rich woman, he reluctantly gave in: "I wasn't born in the Empire. And then when I was first enslaved I worked a farm in Raetia, and then we were sold to a farm in Italia - a couple of days ride from Verona, but I've only ever worked and lived in the country." No point beating around the bush. "I only came to Rome a year or so ago. I know what it's like to be new in a city." TAG: @Atrice
  4. Sara
    Longinus quirked a brow, amused. He was hardly considered a sage man, certainly not one many came to for advice (at least not on personal matters) outside of his immediate circle of friends. It was oddly touching. "He did," Longinus jerked his head towards the triclinium beginning to move off in that direction, "Not sure what good it did him though. Mostly just listening to me trying to extol the virtues of the legions. He didn't seem keen." He gave Gaius a sympathetic shrug and then eased himself down onto the couch, wincing. He'd taken it too far yesterday with his run and was paying for it now. "But he seems like a smart lad, and honest at least. What's worrying you?" He gestured for Attis to fetch some cups, surprised to see they had already been provided. He didn't give Attis enough credit. TAG: @Sharpie
  5. Sara
    "I've read all the scrolls and codices' in my library twice over now, I need something new to pick up. The walls of our city have a great many secrets on them." Including a particularly flattering reference to her own figure accompanied by a drawing so crude she thought she might choke, which she chose not to bring up now. "And pay it no mind," She laughed - "I suspect next year they'll merely scrub your name out and add in the next Consul." She listened to his rationale with an inquiring mind. This was good - it was the perfect distraction from her current state and the worries associated with it. She didn't believe she'd be able to effectively ignore her pregnancy for the remaining six months, but if she could ignore it for now then she'd be pleased. "You should have become a lawyer, Aulus. It's a good argument." She chuckled and adjusted her position on the chair, her back aching, "I suppose it's a good idea. Is he in Caesar's consilium?" She'd be surprised if he was, given his age, but you never knew with the imperials. "And I'm taking your suggestion he might remind you of me as flattery, rather than a denigration of my womanhood, my love." TAG: @Sharpie
  6. Sara
    Longinus was this close to actually banging his head on the stone desk he kept in his tablinum. Vitus was, predictably, unamused by his masters evident displeasure at going over - for the fourth time that week - correspondence from clients. He'd managed to escape the previous three times citing urgent matters, which his secretary knew to be a barefaced lie given he controlled his diary of commitments - but unfortunately this time, Longinus couldn't escape. They'd been through three letters; two on some business to do with slowed grain imports and asking for an intercession, and one asking Longinus to speak to their teenaged son about a career in the legions. He couldn't even muster up the enthusiasm for that. Fortuna rarely smiled on him, but today she did. He heard muttering in the atrium and the padded footsteps of one of the house slaves coming to announce the surprise visit of Gaius Vipsanius Roscius. He bolted upright, a grin spreading ear to ear and gave Vitus a look that very well may have said 'I win'. It was met with a level stare from his slave which seemed to say 'This time'. Moving fluidly through the house, he caught sight of his former Tribune and moved to embrace him, calling over his shoulder for somebody to fetch Attis. His bodyslave was undoubtedly busying himself with the dog or Metella - his two favourite pastimes, it seemed. "Gaius," He clapped the man on the shoulder as he withdrew, "Should I worry that you've come unannounced?" Grinning he continued, "What brings you here as my saviour from the drudgery of correspondence?" TAG: @Sharpie
  7. Sara
    "You clearly haven't been reading the graffiti around the city closely enough." She chuckled, teasing. She paid it no mind; there were seemingly an equal number of those lauding him as those criticising him, but she suspected many of the latter had no idea why they didn't like her husband, only that they thought they should make a statement against some seeming injustice. "It's not up to Titus." She remarked with a shrug. She knew her son would one day be an important man, but for now - despite teenage petulance - he was still under the authority of his father and grandfather, and her, when she so chose to wield her (limited) power. "And of course," She said amused, "I won't handover complete control." Organising events was very much the bread and butter of her life, or part of it anyway. She was sure at this point she could recall and produce a list of who's who in Rome and vendors for events in her sleep, if required. His suggestion intrigued her though and she arched a brow. "You're fond of him?" Aulus must have met a great many young men in his line of work, and few were invited to dinner. "For any particular reason?" It wasn't a no, but did suggest she'd want more information before she agreed. TAG: @Sharpie
  8. Sara
    Longinus snorted in amusement at Decimus' statement that he kept himself out of matters such as marriage. "You not his personal love-life adviser? Colour me surprised." He'd been spending too much time with Titus Sulpicius Rufus, so much so that his sarcasm had rubbed off on him. He was triply-pleased that his daughter was far too young for any talk of marriage; he had enough to deal with, with his own woes on the marriage market. His look must have spoken as such as he took another deep drink. "As if it's that easy." He chuckled and shook his head, "I'm not sure how much I rate the new crop of legates they've got." Because in his mind, nothing would compare to the halcyon days of Britannia and his men. "I also don't know where he'd find said battles. I've heard things with Parthia are getting rough, and Judea of course...but both of them are likely to be harder foes than the sorry excuse of the British we were up against." He took another, contemplative sip and then sighed. "But I'm talking shop, and we should be catching-up." He chuckled, "How have you been?" TAG: @Sains
  9. Sara
    Longinus sighed. He'd seen plenty of young men of Lucius' age waste their youth on follies - usually women and gambling but most had some sort of ambition, even if their pride wasn't earned. He'd never really met one who was wasting their best years on...nothing. "What would a third option be?" He arched a brow, "If you could choose anything in the world?" Lucius didn't strike him as an aspiring entrepreneur, nor an adventurer so setting up a business or becoming a seafaring rogue was out. A writer perhaps? Or something else in the arts? Of course, none of the above professions were particularly suited to men of their class...but it couldn't hurt to dream. TAG: @Chevi
  10. Sara
    She glanced sideways at him as he spoke of his achievements, sizing him up. Yes, she supposed looking at him even now, she could see he'd be good. She coughed to clear her throat. "That's fortunate for him." She smiled. Slaves were rarely freed in her household, it was a waste of money as her father put it, but speaking to somebody who had once been subject to that life was disquieting. She brushed those thoughts aside at his question. "Once or twice, but do not judge me if I say I prefer the races." She chuckled, and even then she was escorted to watch, obviously. Wrinkling her nose, she shrugged. "Once I found out that some of the fights are staged in the arena it...lost its appeal. If I wanted to see a show, I'd ask for permission to visit the theatre." She chuckled, "Are they all like that? Where the winner is decided beforehand?" TAG: @Atrice
  11. Sara

    What Could Have Been?

    Sara replied to Sara's topic in AU Board.

    "He'd like that." She snorted, in a very unladylike fashion. "My family are big on supplication." And following the rules, and doing everything above board...at least, that was what they liked to tell other family members to do whilst they themselves were doing whatever they liked. She knew of at least two women Gaius saw frequently outside of the house, but an affair with a freedwoman was hardly a blackmail-able offence. "An imperial favour wherein you admit adultery?" She arched a brow and stroked his knuckles with her fingertips. "I..." She frowned, "Suppose there's another way. I...have never looked into it," She swallowed the lump in her throat, "What would happen if we just declined to submit to my brother? If we got married anyway and I moved into your house? I understand it's against the law but once we're married, say if we did it soon, quietly...can he press us for a divorce against our will?" She sighed and shook her head, "This is why you should have become a lawyer." TAG: @Chevi
  12. Sara
    Horatia smiled. Titus was the more outgoing of her children - Calpurnia seemed to have inherited her more reserved nature - but she still knew her son had a sentimental side. He was probably terrified and joyous about the ceremony at the same time. "The only thing I can relate it to is when we women get married. And I wasn't so nervous about that." She gave him a soft smile. That was a lie, she had been nervous - but not at her choice or the man she was marrying. Even back then she was confident she'd made the correct choice. With an arched brow she surveyed her husband. She'd not had the pleasure of meeting Claudius Sabucius, but she'd heard complimentary things. That Aulus had him in mind, likewise, spoke to his favour. "Devious." She chuckled. Then again, she'd gotten to know him whilst he was serving as Tribune...but she hadn't been the daughter of the Governor of Achaia, much as her father probably imagined himself that important. "But you're right, no rush. I was eighteen when we were married." Although she had a failed engagement before that, "And Calpurnia's only recently thirteen." Squeezing his hand, she offered him a light smile although a heaviness still sat around her. "Perhaps we have a dinner, to celebrate Titus and his taking of the toga, and...this news," Her smile grew a fraction tighter, "And we could ask Calpurnia to help organise it? It would be good practice for her, and I think she'd rather the honour of that responsibility than a new necklace or such." TAG: @Sharpie
  13. Sara

    Following Up

    Sara replied to Sara's topic in Emporium Magnum

    Charis stared as he brushed off her hand. It worked on Tertius, and she had assumed - naively perhaps - that it would likewise work on his son. She'd gotten lost somewhere and assumed Wulfric - who had shown her nothing but kindness, was the same sort of man as his father. It was a mistake and she regretted it almost immediately. "Wulfric..." She started, her voice more timid now. She had - in her own way - been honest. Tertius was not a man to cross, she knew that better than anybody. Perhaps there was some self-interest in her warning, but it was a genuine one all the same. She cleared her throat, folding her arms across her waist self-consciously as he stepped away from her. "You'll get nowhere with him acting like this." She commented mildly. "I meant what I said, even if you don't believe it." She nibbled at the inside of her cheek, trying to figure out her next move. She'd evidently lost his trust, and couldn't understand why. "You'll not find your family here Wulfric." She said, although her voice was sad and small as she turned to leave with a shrug. "At least not in your father." TAG: @Atrice
  14. Sara

    What Could Have Been?

    Sara replied to Sara's topic in AU Board.

    Ovinia smirked, shrugging her shoulders. “I imagine that after we marry I might not be as influential in the Roman social scene as I once was…” And she was trying very hard to be okay with that, “So you might have to teach me to live a life in the country…and if that life in the country means our children end up with a penchant for apple picking…” She nudged him with her knee, “So be it.” Of course, the idyllic image she’d created in her head of a life with the man she loved in some palatial villa didn’t take into account: the lack of dowry her brother was likely to provide, and Lucius job keeping him in Rome. She might be a mother of one, with another on the way, but her cheeks still burned bright red at his words. Her education in the pleasurable arts had been delayed by the ineptitude of her ex-husband, but the catch-up was utterly worth it. It was, nonetheless, deeply embarrassing to have it brought up though in the cold light of day. “Lucius…” She noted at his silence, which provided the opportune distraction from her embarrassment, “I mean it. Don’t do anything stupid.” TAG: @Chevi
  15. Sara
    The prospect of divorce hadn't crossed her mind since those long winters without him, and for that she was glad. It had never been a serious thought - merely an unhelpful suggestion from her aggrieved family, concerned that she should be left alone for six or so years. She'd had patience though, and after a brief period of fraught reacquaintance with her husband, was supremely glad of it. She smiled, "It's an honour he will treasure." She had no real first hand notion of the importance of the ceremony - having never had one herself, but she understand theoretically its significance. To have such a treasured moment between father and son during his year was...well, it was undoubtedly what men and boys dreamed of. His concern for their daughter, however,r touched her and she gave him an impish smile. "You know Calpurnia, I suspect she'd be glad she's not been singled out. Besides, what could we give her?" She arched a brow, "I think any mention of a marriage would worry rather than thrill her," She was a cut different to other girls her age, "And she has enough trinkets and such. Any suggestions are warmly welcomed..." She teased, completely understanding the disconnect her husband must feel from his teenaged daughter, and deciding to pick at it...just a little. TAG: @Sharpie
  16. Sara
    He gave her a bemused look and suppressed a chuckle. Bless her. "Because citizens are important." He suggested, trying to beat around the bush as they walked. "Because freedmen and slaves are expendable, and yes, because it's dangerous." He'd lost count of the number of his colleagues they'd lost to fires or thieves in the night. He'd come close himself, and bore the scar curling up under his collarbone to prove it. "You're a citizen," He didn't frame it as a question, just an obvious observation. "But new to Rome? What brings you here?" It wasn't in his nature to make idle small talk, but the girl seemed nervous and overwhelmed and he still had some manners. TAG: @Atrice
  17. Sara

    Following Up

    Sara replied to Sara's topic in Emporium Magnum

    Charis felt that same wave of guilt. Wulfric had been kind to her. So few people had, in her time in Rome that she viewed it all with suspicion. Beyond that though, it was not just herself she had to worry about now. Peregrinus' life and his security both physical and as the son of Tertius, his heir, was the most important thing. She couldn't jeopardise that, not for any soft feelings of guilt. She liked Wulfric, but he wasn't worth her son's future. "People...Tert- Domine," She clarified, "Does not understand why you have come here just too seek him out. Nobody in Rome would do it so it is odd to him." Sighing and finding his stare uncomfortable, she moved to place a hand on his upper arm in an attempt at comfort. "I...am being honest now. In a way I can't be in the house. I have had a hard time here Wulfric," that was not a lie, she would not wish her enslaved state on anybody, "I...just wished to make you understand what sort of man you are dealing with, and why it is not sensible to push him." She blinked up at him, "Do you understand?" TAG: @Atrice
  18. Sara
    Bump and updated with new/old claims <3
  19. Sara
    "I'll keep her in mind." She said politely. She wouldn't - they had plenty of cooks, and none of them cost a penny given they were slaves. Nodding at his question, she bit at her lip and gave a weak shrug. "I'm his only daughter." She said by way of an explanation and then, when she realised that her meaning wasn't as clear as it probably needed to be, she continued: "He trusts me, of course, but...he is overprotective. Moreso of me than he was or is of my brothers." Meaning - she was held to a different standard. There could be no youthful follies for her like when her eldest brother ended up assaulting a senator when he was a drunken teenager, or her favourite brother Lucius starting that relationship with that freedwoman from the Suburra (which was quickly curtailed by her father, and she was paid off to move). For Ovinia she had to be a paragon of feminine virtues...which included not walking alone at night, or with strange men. "Besides," She said with an impish smile, "He might remember you from your Gladiator days. It might soften the blow when I tell him what happened, if he can meet an idol...although that presumes you were good..." TAG: @Atrice
  20. Sara
    Titus arched a brow and glanced back toward her. Country girl...that made sense. His decade spent on the farm in Raetia had shown him plenty of girls like this Horatia Sosia, he was curious as to why he didn't think of it immediately. His master had a daughter...he supposed she'd have been around this one's age when he was manumitted. She had been full of shy, retiring smiles and wide eyed curiosity of her father's tales of Rome. It made a little sense that this one should be the same. He didn't envy her; Rome was a complex place and being new to it with little recourse to get out and explore as a patrician girl, undoubtedly meant it was overwhelming. "There is not much to say." He countered with a limp shrug, "We guard the city from fires and crime at night, sometimes during the day as well in the rougher regions." he sighed, "Thieves and fights and that sort of thing." And clearing up after murders and rapes and all other manner of Rome's ills, but she didn't need to hear about that. "And guiding lost people home. It happens more often than you'd think." He said with the faintest hint of a smile, trying to put her at ease. "We're mostly freedmen now, although there's still some slaves. No citizens are allowed to enlist." TAG: @Atrice
  21. Sara

    Following Up

    Sara replied to Sara's topic in Emporium Magnum

    Charis heard the frustration in his voice and felt a wave of guilt climb from the pit of her stomach. She flinched at his look and dropped her eyes. He looked so much like his father. "No, sir." She replied, swallowing the lump in her throat. It was not an abject lie; Tertius had merely told her to get to the bottom of this, which she was doing. He hadn't given her the words. Gingerly, she eased herself up from the wooden crates she had perched on until she was standing, although she was still a great deal shorter than him. "I'm sorry if I offended you." She wasn't that sorry, but she hid it well. "He just fears what your presence will mean, and I sought to warn you." Because even if he was a proficient actor and this was all a ruse and he was here for money or inheritance or recognition, he'd not find any of the three with Tertius, that she was sure of. "Perhaps it is time for you to return to Germania?" TAG: @Atrice
  22. Sara
    Titus fought - successfully - the urge to groan. Were all well-bred women this clueless? Did they really not have any sense of the city or their place in it? He kept his lips pressed in a thin line and stared straight ahead down the alley as they walked, so as not to visibly roll his eyes. She was sweet, but Gods above was she frustrating. "Titus Balventius Marcianus." He replied with a shrug, "I'm in the second cohort, fifth century of the vigiles." he glanced back at her, to see if that meant anything and slowed his pace down to let her catch-up, tempering his stride. "You know who the vigiles are?" TAG: @Atrice
  23. Sara
    Titus fought a grin and shrugged. "I'd not say hazing. That suggests it'll be good natured." Titus had, had it relatively easy in his life as a slave. Beyond the last marks that littered his back, now faded to a silvery white, and the memories of humiliation that accompanied it - he'd managed to coast in his life in irons and earned his freedom at a young age. Many of his peers were not so lucky in either respect. She shot a glance sideways at Lucius and almost felt...bad by the reception he was likely to receive. For some inexplicable reason, he liked the man. He'd run into a fire with him without introduction. He suspected it would take the others longer to come around. "But I'll put in a word for you. So long as you don't do anything stupid." Like act like a brat, or get on his high horse. His word carried weight with the men, even if he had no formal grounds for it. Snorting with obvious amusement now, he shook his head. "So this is a short stop on your journey to leading us, eh? A few weeks roughing it and then straight to Tribune?" Like most of the fancy men that worked in the vigiles, they never started out this low, or even as centurion - they were always just dropped in to lead. It was probably why the whole structure and reputation of the vigiles was a mess. TAG: @Chevi
  24. Sara

    One magic autumn eve

    Sara replied to Sarah's topic in Hortulus

    Ovinia frowned, glancing between Marcus and Lucius as the music swelled and people joined in with singing. The musician was clearly in her element, lapping up the praise. She was a performer through and through - with an innate sort of ability to get the crowd on side. Ovinia supposed her looks helped with that. "Why?" Ovinia queried with another glance at the woman. "Surely you can tell me? My brother is hosting a party in a few months, his wedding anniversary." She rolled her eyes, "He'd pay you handsomely I'm sure for an introduction to her." Poor, poor Ovinia had no conception of what she was even implying. At Marcus' question, she felt the heat rise to her cheeks and she took another hefty swig of wine. She ground down on her teeth as she swallowed, and was hopeful as the blonde - finished with that particular song, took a breather and joined in their conversation. She was mortified, however, at her request; "You sing? Why don't you get up here and join me?" The woman flashed a smile that turned Ovinia's stomach and she vehemently shook her head. "No." She stuttered out. "I don't play any instruments, and I only sing in private." Her words were cold and she shot Lucius a glare that would have been inappropriate if she wasn't almost two cups of wine deep. "Lucius likes to make me feel uncomfortable, joking at my expense. He found out I enjoyed music, that's all." She shook her head, "He has a childish sense of humour. But you two must surely sing?" She turned back to the men with a smirk. "Why don't you both join in with our musician?" She'd, perhaps, gone too far - openly chiding Lucius in a public setting but she felt...humiliated, and when she was embarrassed...well...she got prickly. TAG: @Chevi @Atrice
  25. Sara
    Ovinia self-consciously wrapped her arms about herself, hugging her waist as Alexius waited for his food. She'd never been somewhere like this and looking round, she saw why. Although there was an eclectic mix of men and women here - high and low born judging by their outfits, there were no high-born women. She got her food brought to her on platters by slaves, not by paying for it herself in this sort of place. She felt a twinge of...guilt? No. Jealousy? Possibly, that these people were out here living a life she'd never experience. It was peculiar. She had no real conception that these places were actually real, or people actually ate in them. She nodded at Alexius' gesture and dutifully followed him, relieved to be out of the place. "I suppose you must think I'm very naive." She said, voicing her own doubts out loud, "I'm not." She clarified, "I just...women of my class just don't do things like this. There's reasons, of course. Like getting attacked with a knife if you do." She'd be in for the argument of her life when her father found out she was walking home alone anyway, when it happened - let alone when he heard she'd allowed a strange man to lead her over the city. She paled at the thought. "I need you to come into the domus with me," She swallowed, "And meet my father. Explain who you are and what happened. It's better he hears it from you and meets you than he hears it from me." TAG: @Atrice
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