Beauty

His yelling only made her jump, she kept her eyes on the floor as he shouted. She tried to retreat into the nooks of her mind but his anger only pulled her into reality. Her stomach knotted and she breathed heavily, feeling as if finally, after such careful treading, she would finally die. She contemplated on striking him with the vase and plunging a shard into his neck but being a runaway slave, on top of being a murderer, wasn’t an easy task. If one was caught, life was going to be very difficult and she would fare just about the same as she was now, if not worse. Here, she knew what to expect. She knew to clean it up but he hadn’t given her the order so instead, she remained where she was, head hanging low and eyes on the mess in front of her, the whole world a shadow around her. “I-I can buy some at the market,” she mumbled, assuming paper would be easy to find. Aculia had little clue as to how expensive paper was, she’d never bothered with paper her entire life and spent her entire life as a hunter. “I can make it up to you. Don’t get rid me of me, I can be useful.” She felt the need to release herself out of fear, the need to flee. “I.. haven’t told anyone about… I’ve seen you shave, I can do it when you’re too busy and make it up to you. I can get the money and buy paper.” The more she thought of it, the more he was cornering her but to leave his wrath, she had to think very carefully on how and if she stayed, she needed to be more careful and understand him better. Perhaps she was in the wrong. She had, after all, drowned one of his livelihood in wine. @Atrice

Nymphias had spent much of her day with the eldest of her master’s daughters, serving her was a lot simpler than her younger sister. All these years Nymphias wanted to be a mother, she had helped women with their children back in Britannia but since caring for the young Roman child, Nymphias and being met with reality made her realise how much work went into caring for a child on your own. And yet, surely it would be different when she had Helios’ children? Nymphias’ mind went running as she wandered the domus, small feet pit patting against the cool, pale floor. The rain outside made her think of Britannia where days seemed either grey or wet. She never thought in her entire life, she would be glad to see rain. She made her way towards the gardens, simply to sit somewhere comfortably and watch the way the rain hit the bobbing flora. She knew better than to rush out in it, she was a good little Roman slave now. It was the best way to be freed, behaving just the way Romans wanted her to. When she reached her destination, Florus escaped the weather and Nymphias jumped out of the way. She was awkward around him for a number of reasons. Firstly, he was male. Secondly, he seemed so distant. But she’d heard all about his secret love affair by now, just like her secret love affair with Helios. She scooted closer towards him and then looked around them, then leaning in to whisper. “You have to hide your love,” she said innocently before extending her hand so that droplets would collect in the palm of her hand. She stared at the rain. “Masters don’t like slaves being in love. You didn’t hear it from me.” Wasn’t that along the lines of what Helios had said? That Romans even owned one’s heart? @Ejder

Late May! He left the brothel to be tended to by his sister, Gaia Lupa, as he headed out to the Ludus with another man, following after him. He was tall, golden-haired, sharp-faced and stupid. The man’s presence appealed to him, if only because he accumulated some wealth by renting gladiators. Of course, the man was innocent of Titus’ truer motives but it gave Titus a reason to explore other options of making money, his mind always ticking as he sought after opportunities. The day was warm, sweat collected at his brow and when they arrived at the Ludus, his eyes laid upon a woman. He watched her for some time before turning to the other man. “Who is she?” he said, pointing to the blonde. “I believe her name is Annis,” said the man, gawking at Titus. “Bring her to me,” said Titus quickly but the man did not budge, simply staring. Titus’ hand then wrapped around the man’s neck and shoved his head downwards. “Don’t keep me waiting.” His tone was barely cruel, merely disconnected. Like a hawk, his eyes followed as the man headed forwards, muttering a “Titus Aspanius Lupus wants to speak with you” to the woman and then pointing to Titus before motioning for her to follow him. Titus’ face was bare, revealing no reaction, as he waited and only spoke when she was indeed close. “Annis,” he said before vacant eyes wafted to the lanista who then scuttled away. His attention returned, studying her. “How long have you been shedding blood?” @Echo

He had heard through the grapevine that Safinia and Azarion had been seen together. “Seen together” meant a number of things but when he had told Safinia that he heard and saw everything at the Circus Maximus, he meant it. He was perceptive and noticed a lot of things, including things he wished he never saw. Most people weren’t aware of how loudly they spoke or how conspicuous they were being. He didn’t usually pry into businesses that weren’t his own unless he thought he was doing a favour. He mostly overheard things while reading in the middle of the Circus Maximus. On that particular day, Bassus had been reading Landicus, just to see what the crazy Romans saw in it. It didn’t matter how many times he tried to see what it was all about, he just didn’t understand the appeal. It was filled with tits and pure vulgarity. Sex was great, there was no debate about that, and the tales were funny, certainly, but Landicus was an offence to one’s intellect. It offered no room for discussion. Some might have called it “a commentary”, he called it horse shit. Just like the act he gave when racing, adopting a mere persona. If it made the Romans scream, it made them scream. Seeing Azarion, Bassus slipped from his position and slowly made his way towards the boy with a grin on his face, one that clearly had a devious idea. “There is my big man,” said Bassus, clapping his hands. “Look at you, looking handsome today. That’s the smoulder face we all know and love.” Bassus reached forwards to nudge Azarion playfully in a companionable way. “What do you have to say for yourself? Getting the ladies already.” Bassus chuckled. “Anyways, let’s go drinking just because we can.” Bassus nodded in a direction leading outside of the tracks. Many years ago, he would have thought in 75, he would be drinking with his son in Judea but today, it was Azarion in Rome. @Chevi

Little girl? Nymphias was a woman now! She opened her mouth and then closed it, taken aback but immediately felt every bit of courage she built in the last few months become nothing more than an image in her mind because of another woman’s tongue. Ever since the woman’s arrival, Nymphias felt a distance between them and couldn’t understand what she had done to offend Zia. Nymphias was so used to a loving family and friends back in Britannia that when met with the fury of anyone, she was at a lost. But Zia’s behaviour might’ve been because she was frightened, thought Nymphias, the way Nymphias had been when she first arrived and felt alone. Nymphias had been miserable herself in the beginning. Noticing the gesture, Nymphias beamed happily, eyes shining with joy, and joined the older woman, sitting down opposite from Zia. Nymphias’ hands came together tightly to stop herself from trembling. Nymphias kept gawking at the older woman, her eyes following the way her face curved and her powerful eyes. She was so beautiful and seemed so mature. She didn’t know a single thing about Zia and didn’t think the woman knew anything about her in return but it didn’t stop Nymphias. “It’s very important,” repeated Nymphias. “I want to get naked with you and go to the baths. The ones for slaves. Just us.” It was a thought that randomly entered her mind but reasoned it was the best way they could get to know one another and the water would be cool against their skin in this weather, wouldn’t it? They could even braid each other’s hair, she thought, giggle together, even go shopping for pretty things and stay up late together talking about men. “It would be good for us to be friends because we can make each other very happy, we are the same. Romans are… good people but not our friends. Do you know what I mean?” She wasn’t the most fond of Romans but tried to be subtle. How could she forget how they killed her brother and took her family, including Erea, from her? @Sara

Nymphias could neither read nor write so sending a letter of sorts to Helios was out of the question. So when they met at some point during the spring, she had told him a time, which was the evening, and the location, which was the Garden of Sallust, the place where he’d taken her, and then a date in June. She did not want them walking together because it was to be a surprise. With money given to her by her domina, she bought some wine and cakes with honey. The latter, which she was addicted to. Life seemed better to her, perhaps because time had eased some of her hurts or because she felt closer to being free, but she still missed her family dearly, particularly her sister, who she was aware of being in Rome as a slave. Nymphias had been promoted, her Latin improved, and, if you asked her, had found love. She hoped her sister was faring just as well, if not better. Nymphias found a secluded area of the gardens where they had been many weeks ago. She dressed in her best gown, fashioned her hair in a way that appeared Roman and the hairpin she had bought when with her friend Clio was worn on her head. She was no noble woman and so had nothing to make her truly stand out but did what she could with what she had. To pass the time while she waited for him, she had created a plethora of crowns made of flowers, carefully and perfectly crafted, and other chains of flowers were present to “decorate” the area, making it appear more wistful. Nymphias had zero knowledge in how wooing went but her heart was in the right place. When finished decorating, she quickly laid on her side, arm propped up by the elbow, her cheek resting on her hand while the other rested on her hip bone. In this position, she thought she looked naughty but it was something that would likely look incredibly awkward to anyone should they have passed her by. By the time Helios arrived, she grinned widely. “Hello, Helios,” she said playfully, she hoped he was stunned by the amount of preparing she’d done. In reality, it wasn’t much but for her it was. “Care for some wine?” @Atrice

@Echo The ludus is good for me! I have an idea that would work well with the ludus (works better for the title I have in mind). And a Jewish Temple sounds great! He can be found anywhere so if you find yourself changing your mind, it's all good!

@Echo That sounds good to me! I'm in the process of replying/starting to threads (and trying to go in order) so I should get something up by tomorrow-ish or so Bassus could be literally anywhere so don't worry about location. Any preference for Annis/Titus?

@Echo Bassus & Agalaea: It looks like they can both use a break from the Romans. Sounds like a plan! Titus & Annis or Gaius: I'm fine with either one. Titus and Annis sounds hilarious though (Warning: either way, he will be terrible ). I think we can do Nymphias/Annis in the future! I'm cool if you want to do one or both. I'm pretty much open to everything lol. I have a bit of threads to get to/start but I leave the choice up to you as to whether I start or you do I won't be offended either way, just lmk what you prefer!

@Echo I hope you don't mind me posting in here. I see Aglaea is Jewish! I have Bassus who is also Jewish. He's not a slave though, he's a charioteer. He's a bit of a yin-and-yang character but he's a good guy. Flutters from being very much into himself (he fancies himself a celebrity) to being humble and charitable, he can be playful but a bit empty and sad. I have other characters as well, if not him. I have Nymphias, who is a Briton slave to Titus Scul-something Rufus and his wife Valeria played by Joaquin. She's naïve and overly girly, she's the little sister of Charis (slave of Tertius, brother to Livia's husband. If I have that right) so there's a connection with Agalae but might be funny to see her bump into Annis, who looks to be the complete opposite of her. A brothel owner Titus Aspanius Lupus (I guess if Gaius visits brothels, he might visit the Elysium?) and then Aculia, a Gaul slave to Marcus Barbatius who shaves. Not much ideas for her but if Gaius needs a shave, he might bump into her at Marcus's place but she can also bump into Aglaea or Annis too. Just ideas, feel free to ignore!

Another Jew might have become offended but Bassus was quite patient at times, likening her comment to unfamiliarity if anything. Admittedly, he struggled with his own fate from time to time. On one hand, he believed nothing else but on the other, it was hard to believe in a god that took your loved ones from you. It was hard to devote to something, anything, these days except for survival. Bassus merely laughed, his lips spreading into a smile. “You can say that,” he commented as he followed her to the fountain in a leisurely pace. The sun bore down and like a curious cat, he watched as she moved the basin. “Long enough to know who are worth my time,” he said, leaning up against something and folding his arms. He liked to think he was perceptive of other people, though some were easier to read than others. Safinia was not so simple. In a way, she was almost distant but Bassus did not take it to heart. “I would say employment is steady so long as you do your part, stay out of trouble and don’t die.” Death was more likely for a charioteer. However, death could come to anyone and at any time. But he wasn’t being serious. “As for sorest losers, I would say everyone is a sore loser in Rome.” The fact that the general population of Rome read and enjoyed the works of Landicus only reinforced this idea in Bassus. There was something comforting about the sun’s warmth, it reminded him of home. But home was a long way away and he was likely to never return. His Jewish practices to be spent alone. “So you asked me if I knew a lot about Jews,” he asked, more out of curiosity. He often didn’t go out of his way to mention his background, even if, perhaps, it was obvious enough looking at him that he wasn’t at all Roman. “How would you feel if I told you I was one? Would that change your impression?” @Liv

Nymphias was a little self-important now, if only because she had been promoted. No longer was she the whimpering little child that she was. She was a grown woman now. She was mature. At least, that’s what she thought. Now she even tried fashioning her hair in ways that appeared Roman-like, after much struggle and awkwardness, of course, and she prayed to their gods now, Helios had told her it was a good idea and if she continued to listen to him, she would be free in no time. Together, they would be married and have a humble number of seven children. After working many long hours, she was dismissed, giving Nymphias time to herself. She walked with her head held high and tried to adopt older mannerisms. She had been promoted, after all. This was how promoted individuals behaved. Rome was hot now, so hot that she felt her skin bubbling and the air around her was thick. Wandering through the domus, her gaze fell onto a familiar figure. When she first met Zia, she had looked up to the woman, even wanted to be like her, she had seemed so confident despite enslavement, but as time went on, Nymphias’ wasn’t sure anymore. She did not have a single cruel bone in her body and hoped in some small way, they could one day become friends. And she was promoted now, who was she to fear anyone? “Zia,” Nymphias said, playing with her fingers, for a moment her “mature” façade disappeared, showing her youth and evident nervousness. “What are you doing now? I want to ask you something. It is very important.” In reality, the thought just popped into her head. “Are you free?” @Sara

He was “glad” she was eager. At his words, Aculia’s lips remained thinly spread across her face, neither developing into a warm smile nor a frown. She watched him, seeing merely human flesh, no different than her own. Seeing him that way made it hard for her to want to take a knife and slice one of the veins of his neck. Perhaps it was the sliver of humanity in her that the man seemed to lack. Swallowing her thoughts whole, she slowly backed up, heels pressing against the floor, and headed into the kitchen, emerging later with a jug and cup in hand. She carefully set the cup down on the table with a clink before gently pouring contents within the jug, just the way she had when he had guests being shaved. She could practically fell her brow perspiring and hear her own heart banging against her chest loudly. Her hands were trembling, trying not to spill even a drop but the palms of her hands were warm and wet. In attempts to steady her pouring, one of her hands moved to hold the handle better but in that, her other hand slipped, causing the wine to soak everything on the table. “Shit,” was all she could say under her breath after the damage was done, gripping tightly onto the now empty jug. Partly for security but also in case she needed it, not that she was even sure she could use it, even in self-defence. It didn’t matter if she’d once been a hunter or did push-ups every morning to retain her athletic physique. Slouching her shoulders, she avoided all eye contact like a submissive dog. “I’ll clean it up,” she said quietly as if somehow it might lessen the blow. @Atrice

Titus Aspanius Lupus - #5 - Red - Beauty Tiberius Herius Bassus - #12 - Violet - Beauty Aculia - #15 - Cyan - Beauty @Anna

Beauty ~ staying but currently Away due to health issues ~ keeping: Nymphias, Aculia, Tiberius Herius Bassus, Titus Aspanius Lupus, and Manawyddan (for Event) dropping: n/a

“Yes, like Caesar,” he said sarcastically, looking down at her and trying to fight back a laugh. For all her seriousness, there was some strange innocence to those words. At least, the way she said it. He’d met important government officials of Judea, certainly not the Caesar himself. Scribes played a very important role in his country, a similar way that senatores did in Rome. But Bassus did not long for his old life, he simply went where life took him. There was no point wanting anything. “A very important text written by important Jews or their god, depending on who you talk to,” he simply explained to the young woman, soon entering into the kitchen. The coolness of it certainly took away every bit of heat that had been prickling against his skin and making him feel more like a roasted boar than a human. He copied the way Safinia placed the leeks down. He’d cooked for himself before, he wasn’t a novice when it came to cooking but he certainly was not as skilled as someone who was a cook or their assistant. Bassus waited for her to continue her work as he looked around. Kitchens where he was from was set very differently but being rather adaptable, Bassus learned quickly to accept it. “You must be quite the lucky young woman working in the shade all day,” he said, folding his arms. His hands now smelt of leeks. “While I’m sure you are fully capable on handling yourself…” Young people liked hearing that sort of thing. “Anything you’d like to know about this place? Or who to avoid when the races get really rowdy?” It was always good to give a head’s up or see if one of the newest members of the White Team was missing something that they otherwise wanted to know. @Liv

“May I?” the man said and Nymphias nodded her head, crouching down felt rather uncomfortable, feeling every bit like a toad. The moment he showed her the bronze coin, her mind went swimming elsewhere, even if she fought to pay attention. “Quadruplets,” said quietly Nymphias with a nod of her head. She didn’t know what a “prow of a galley” was but took his word for it so she nodded again. And then the rest of what he said made little sense to her, she phased out. Numbers and coins were not her forté, sewing, dancing, and pretty things were. If one looked at Nymphias, she would have been noticeably bored out of her mind but trying to pay attention for her own sake. It was important to know Roman coins and handling money in general. “Four quadruplets are same one asses,” said Nymphias with a nod of her head a third time. But then her mind wandered elsewhere and blurted out: “Are you in love with my sister? Do you have woman you love?” Was it improper to ask such things? But love was such a fun topic to her, not coins and surely they were finished talking about coins? @Sharpie

Any day could be her last and it could very well have been the last day walking in the markets, smelling baked goods being sold and seeing all the things Rome had to offer. She didn’t have the time to enjoy the world around her, as captivating as it might have been. She had a job to do and had to do it well. Her coin purse clinked as she walked, safely tucked where no one could reach it, and a basket hung against her bent arm, not yet full. Her eyes followed all the items and things laid out at stalls. One shopkeeper was busy talking to another man, both engrossed in a conversation deeper than Aculia’s insecurity. Colourful, well-made dresses and jewellery were laid out for all to see. Aculia’s hands gently caressed one of the dresses. She’d never truly dressed in anything pretty before, having lived on a farm and been a huntress, and then later a homeless woman in putrid rags. Clothing had been about practicality, not beauty. While the man was distracted, Aculia contemplating shoving the dress into her basket and briskly walking away. But it was much too large, instead her eyes settled on a shimmering necklace, which she quickly picked up and shoved somewhere that no one would see it. She had money but it was for another purpose. She turned her body to continue, expression blank, and immediately, her eyes linked with someone else’s. She stood there stunned. Slowly, she took the necklace out of its hiding space and put it back. She opened her mouth and then closed it. Shit, she thought. “I put it back,” she said calmly. This would reflect poorly on her master and in turn, make him angry with her. “Just don’t tell him about it.” By him, she meant her master. She feared him more than anything else. Note: What Aculia is wearing

Aculia hopped into gear, walking swiftly like a startled rodent and placed the plate down in front of her master before hiding her hands behind her back. Standing tall, she said nothing as she hid the cut on her thumb in case he thought her incompetent or unable to do a job. She liked to think of herself as more than capable, not weak and powerless as others might have thought she was as a voiceless slave, but being underneath her master’s roof made her second guess her abilities and her worth as a person, no differently than being abandoned more than once had done the same. She was taken aback when he asked if she’d eaten or drank but did not show her surprise, instead her features were neutral. She’d expected the worst. Yelling, a brutal beating or death but instead she read his words as concern for her well-being. When she was first his slave, she had been terrified for her life but as he did not kill her, keeping her alive and well-sheltered, she believed him somehow generous. She was disgusted, at first, at her own feelings because how could anyone with any bit of self-dignity feel warmly towards someone like Marcus Barbatius. “No, domine,” she said honestly, voice lifeless and avoiding eye contact. “I wanted to be able to do whatever you asked of me without interruption.” She placed her basic needs aside in case she had to attend to his. What would have happened if she was in the middle of a meal and he needed her? “I won’t pass out, domine. I will eat later tonight when all your needs are met.” She’d been hungry and without food before when living without shelter, this paled in comparison. To her, she now lived in a palace with regular feasts. “Would you like some wine?” @Atrice

Titus nodded, non-judgemental. The more Marcus spoke, the more Titus found that he agreed with the man. Titus turned to look up at the building, it was humble but a home nonetheless. Titus’ own home was lavish but simply because he liked to live in luxury, though he ironically kept his money all for himself. Titus stepped into the man’s home after Marcus did and he looked around the place, not necessarily inspecting it or judging but out of habit, studying his surroundings. A man’s home said a lot about him. The house revealed nothing about Marcus’ nature, however, making the man only more of a mystery to him. The slave present was quiet and obedient. He eyed the male slave at the doorway, admiring the man’s physique. Regardless of whether or not the slave was within earshot, Titus spoke up, returning to their previous conversation. “You ought to try playing with their minds a little,” said Titus, who, unlike Marcus, much preferred playing with a man’s mind, the way a lion played with its food before devouring it. “Violence is like the grand meal and playing with their brittle minds like the appetizers beforehand. One is the act, the other its foreplay. Though violence has its perks, I’m sure, you ought to come to my place for dinner and I’ll show you just how I break a man’s mind from the inside.” It wasn’t just slaves he did it to but his sister as well, who he was cruel to one moment and then kind the next, a cycle that kept her loyal and locked to him entirely. “I was thinking of trimming my hair as well,” said Titus suddenly, rubbing his chin and feeling the prickles of hair against his fingers. @Atrice

He had a way of making her feel desirable without even offering him her body. He didn’t seem to mind that she was not yet ready for such an endeavour with him and with the way he brushed her hair, she blushed, more than she had ever blushed before. Her stomach twisted in knots and she began to relax again. She lowered her head shyly, absolutely captivated and eating every single world he said. It wasn’t that she did not want to go further when Helios, more that she wasn’t ready. She needed womanly wisdom, the advice of an older and much more experienced woman. Someone who would tell her what to do and what to say when she did get to that point. She didn’t want to disappoint. “I like the kissing and I like being with you,” she admitted. She could awkwardly admit it ten times over and feel the exact same way every time. “But when we… It will be very special. I want to cherish you too.” She then wrapped her arms around his head, hugging him closely. In her mind, they were destined to be together forever. “Thank you, Helios. You are most thoughtful man in Rome.” Erea, or now Charis, would love him, Nymphias thought. @Atrice

Nymphias worried for the boy. What if the charioteer was mean to him? Her domine never was cruel, nor was his wife but they were stern and had many rules that made very little sense to Nymphias. If she ever had the ability to write in Latin, or at all, she’d have made a very long list of their rules and read each and every one of them back, just to show them how stupid they sounded. But then she noticed Azarion look her up and down before chuckling. Nymphias breathed out of her nose like a horse. Was the charioteer, right? Was Azarion flirting with her? When she wasn’t moping, she liked to delve into her imagination where half the men of Rome were fighting for her affections but she wanted to be ever faithful to the radiant Helios, who she’d just met and barely knew as a result. Then he pointed down at his ankles, showing her a tattoo on his calf. She tilted her head, trying to get a good look at it. “Did you get hurt?” she said, believing that was what he was trying to say. She hadn’t seen him twist his ankle but then again, she’d been flat on her bottom and terrified. “What if you tell the man that you try saving me? And that your ankle hurt trying to saving me. Maybe he will be not more angry but less.” @Chevi

Holding the leeks, he followed after her and headed towards the kitchen. He remembered when he would return home in Judea, sweat embalmed on his body from his land’s heat and the sweltering kitchen’s heat sticking to his clothes. “Everything” could have meant anything, it was fairly vague but then she went on to elaborate and he nodded his head in what could only be read as genuine interest before she turned the tables on him. “No,” he said amiably enough. “You could say I did a bit of everything as well.” He’d been well-off in his “past life”. He’d been many things as a slave, from an object used against his will to an accountant. He admired her work ethic and the skills she’d developed throughout her young life. But he supposed she didn’t want to hear about that, that he had been a slave once, though it was likely obvious with hints here and there if one squinted hard enough. From the scars beneath his close to, perhaps, his name. It wasn’t that he hid the fact that he was a slave, he just never mentioned it. “My family owned an orchard,” he said matter-of-factly. He turned to look at the young girl, a smile still on his face. “They were scribes too and so I worked under important people. But life has a funny way of shifting our journeys. And so here I am and you are stuck with me.” He nudged her playfully. “At least, until you decide to get rid of me, that is. Earth you are, and to earth you will return. Have you ever heard that before?” @Liv

@Sharpie I would love one and was hoping they'd meet at some point! Feel free to start one if you wish to/have any ideas . Otherwise, I don't mind starting. Aaaand posting a sad gif because I can use some more threads/plots for Bassus and Aculia (esp. the latter)! #shameless.

TW: Violence! Trying to teach Germanus a new word was like trying to drill a hole in marble with a fat, blunt thumb. And he spoke so loudly too, which only irritated Aculia and wave him off. He was a lost cause. But a woman could only cook quietly in a small kitchen for so long. She enjoyed any chance she got when out of the house and buying supplies in the markets. Remaining inside only made her feel more alienated from the world, unable to see Rome’s liveliness, and seeing only her master, tending to whatever needs he had, only made her see him most hours of the day and, thus, somehow see the human, not the monster. Though she thought of escaping at times, it was better than freezing on streets and eating discarded foods from the dirty pathways just to live another day. She justified why she put up with it all. And just like most days, she was “confined” to the kitchen, chopping away at some tomatoes when, in her clouded thoughts, she hadn’t been paying attention and cut her thumb. The blood began to pool and she sucked at it before quickly finishing the small meal she’d prepared. Setting the knife down and taking the plate, her thumb stinging all the while, she became nauseous as she softly tip-toed throughout the home to where her master was. He had worked a long day and was likely hungry, she hadn’t eaten yet. She wanted to make herself available. She had been in his service for a year, while she was subservient, which had never been in her nature before, she still found herself testing boundaries. If he became angry that she dared think of him before herself, at least, she knew. She didn’t say a word, she just lingered by the door and waited until he noticed her hovering with a vacant look on her face, holding some food for him to eat. A peace offering that said she was more useful to him alive. @Atrice