Beauty

Character name: Manawyddan Associated Ludus: N/AExperience: 1Type of gladiator: Traex?Death: Y

Nymphias didn’t think of herself as noble. Noble was Turi who, as the second son, took up his father and brother’s place to try and provide for his sisters. Noble was Erea who was very much the pillar of the family. Noble was her mother who’d raised four children after her husband died. “I like your name,” she said. There were many Lucius’ in Rome but, to Nymphias, there would only be one now. She listened to him talk about his sister and marriage. The moment he mentioned a woman he’d gotten close to marrying, Nymphias tried to hide her displeasure and did so by taking a bite out of a honey-cake, which tasted rather sweet for sudden sourness. And then she took the wine and sipped it. Her lips touched the bottle where his lips had, it was the most explicit thing she’d ever experienced. She wanted to ask who this woman was, just so she could see her face-to-face and measure herself up against her. “You are mistaken,” she said. She was just entering the age where marriage was a possibility, though some did marry younger, and had figured that anyone who wanted to marry her, had to get through her older siblings first. “My sister was married. My brother wasn’t. I thought maybe next year I marry like my sister but I’m here so I will become old and barren. When people ask me, if I am married… I will tell them I am married to Rome.” She smiled, it was a joke. “Very simple to make flower helmet to impress woman,” she said, she plucked some more flowers and began twisting them together. “You twist like this.” @The Young Pope

Ardra looked forward to sharing a cot with her older sister, there was always something fun about being in proximity to a sibling. You could stay up late simply talking, laughing and remembering good times. But most of all, she felt better with Erea by her rather than with a raging Immin. She was sure he would calm down soon, she had hope he would. But men were so confusing sometimes. With the mention of names for the coming child, Ardra’s attention was completely taken. “I can imagine that you are hungry, Erea, you are eating for two,” said Ardra with a smile. “Or three.” It was a joke but if Erea was to have twins, there would be double the work with the children and that definitely meant that Ardra had to put her feet forward to help. She didn’t mind, anything for family. “Hm, how about… Ula?” said Ardra cheerfully looking from one sibling to the other. “I believe it means jewel of the sea. Isn’t it fitting for a girl? We are close to the sea and she’ll be a jewel amongst the rubble.” She didn’t mean to say that they three were rubble, more that the girl would be a light in such trying in times, assuming the child was a girl. Ardra hoped it was. “But if it’s a boy…,” Ardra sat back, eyes lowering in thought before shooting upwards to look to her siblings again. “Calpornus. So that he’s remembered.” Not wanting to make things said, she quickly added: “When are you getting married, Turi?” Being her age, everything was about love. It also helped her cope with the family’s losses, escaping where things felt better. @Polarity @Sara

“Thank you but, yes, I am new to Rome. I came when hotter and my skin felt like fire,” she explained, indicating that she had arrived sometime during the summer. When exactly, she didn’t know. Everything had happened rather quickly but felt slow and agonising all the same. Nymphias’ gaze turned to the signs that hung above and then back to the young man, who she assumed was foreign like her, simply because of the colour of his hair. She wanted to ask him where he was from and how he became as smart as he was because she knew sooner or later, she needed to take a page or two out of his book. But was using the opportunity to learn as quickly as she could. “I need a lot,” she said, giving what was likely an unhelpful answer. “A loaf, I mean. I don’t know, I know when I see it.” He said she wasn’t stupid but not knowing how to explain how much she needed in the Roman language, she kept it at that. She then pointed at one of the shops nearby, she could smell the nice smell of bread wafting out into the open. It reminded her of home, when she’d make bread. “Is this where I get bread? Do I do what you do before? Tell him one sesterce or I go somewhere else?” She beamed and proudly. She was beginning to learn, she thought. “That way, he won’t make the price so big for so little bread. It worked well when you did it.” @Sharpie

Nymphias was surprised by his kindness, it seemed never-ending and it was simply the thing she needed as of late. But she said nothing and then followed him, she couldn’t help but let her eyes wander as they walked, the vendors became more scarce and greenery began to come into view. With the way the sun shone, it looked picturesque. And then they halted, Nymphias turned to look up at Lucius as he spoke. Some of the words he used was difficult but she listened nonetheless. Protection? She didn’t know what to say to that so she nodded and, of course, blushed. She believed he would protect her just like how he said he would help her find her family too. They came to the top of a hill and Lucius set down a piece of cloth for her to sit on as if she was someone important. Nymphias sat down and her eyes followed the bodyguards as they left the two alone. Her attention returned to Lucius the moment he spoke. She didn’t yet touch the wine or food, waiting until he said she could, even if her stomach was growling louder than any wolf could because the honey-cakes smelt divine. “I like this view,” she admitted, pinching herself. She was before such beauty and in the company of the kindest, gentlest and handsomest man, who she was developing an embarrassing fancy for. She wondered what Turi, Erea and her mother would think of him, she knew they’d like him. “I have to pinch myself to know if real. I wish my family can see this.” But she didn’t even know if they could see still, let alone breathe and it made her a little sad. “I see why you come here for your thoughts. It’s very beautiful and I feel like I’m at home. Back in Britannia.” “And my name Ardra means noble,” she said. At least, that is what she thought. She began to pluck flowers next to her, carefully twisting them into a crown. “What your name Lucius mean? Do you have brothers and sisters? Are they hero like you?” @The Young Pope

He said he would provide help, she believed him. Some would call it blind faith, others naiveté but whatever the case, she took his word and trusted him. But, of course, she’d have to tell him about her family first. “Ardra,” she said, giving him her true name. A name she hadn’t said or heard in a while until then. “But please call me Nymphias, that my name now. Not Ardra. Call me Ardra only when you see me in Britannia and with my family.” A part of it was fear, she’d heard of slaves getting into trouble for uttering their old names, let alone being called by them. Her mind did wander and wonder however, if her family were alive still. She wondered every night, it’s what kept her up and had her crying. She feared they had ended up like her eldest brother Calpornus, killed by the Romans. The man with her now, Lucius, seemed kind, similar to her master and his family. It made her realise that not all Romans were evil. Still, she felt as though she was betraying her people by thinking such a thing sometimes. The way she saw it, Romans and Britons were enemies. Nevertheless, when sitting, she’d tell him about her family. It was easier that way. Maybe he knew how to find them and where to look. With the sweet smells coming from nearby, Nymphias’s stomach grumbled. Perhaps it was because he’d mentioned honey cakes but she had also been eating a lot less since her arrival to Rome. She managed to look at him now, beaming up and nodding excitedly. She watched him as he purchased honeyed wine and baked goods, momentarily forgetting that perhaps she shouldn’t be lingering by a senatore in such a familiar manner. “I repay you later when I have money,” she said. @The Young Pope

The fact that he was apologetic for what had happened to her surprised her, seeing as most Romans did not seem to be sorry. Her expression darkened and her eyes wandered, observing the market. She had lost sleep, did not eat, and found it hard not to cry, all because of the terrors she’d seen. She had thought the capture of their mother and death of their brother would have been the end of it. But apparently her gods had other plans. Her attention returned to Lucius when he mentioned Aia and then he asked his question. “Domine is a good man,” she said honestly because it seemed true. “He treats me well but demands respect.” But she still erred on the side of caution in case he saw reason to get rid of her and any other master was a gamble. When Lucius stopped momentarily, Nymphias did too and stared up. His words were kind and inspiring. If there was one word to describe Lucius, it was “pure”. He felt genuinely compassionate and it made her eyes glisten. Holding her hands, her stomach did back-flips and she blushed once again. His hands were big and warm, this was the first time a man had held her hands outside of her musings. She lowered her eyes awkwardly. He had made a mistake, treating her kindly and kissing her hand before as he did. Sooner or later, she would be daydreaming, this time filled with ten Lucius Majors and Lucius Minors. Not that she understood Roman naming conventions very well. After a while, her hands slid away from his and she could barely look him in the face. She had to remind herself of her place and that her silly fancies didn’t belong in Rome. “Thank you, domine, for praying for me,” she said, grateful. “I have hope I will become a free woman. But if my family come here to Rome, I have new name. Do you think they will find me?”

She followed after him, she hadn’t realised she had done it. It was one of those subconscious actions. She listened intently so that she could catch all of what he said and stared up, expression concentrated. There were many sights and sounds but she kept her attention on Lucius talking. Listening to him, she decided he was someone she looked up to. Kind, intelligent, important, and hoping to travel. She wanted to be the same. “I teach myself,” she said. At least, it was the case in the beginning until she became someone’s property and her learning there quickened, mainly by being immersed in the language when working within the household. Nymphias mimicked what she heard and even saw. “I learn by sounds and hearing...” A hand pointed to her ear to emphasise. “I learn cooking, cleaning and sewing the same at home. Maybe Aia can teach me speak better Roman and I make her dress so she do it.” Whoever Aia was, she sounded intriguing. Nymphias trusted any companion of Lucius had to be and Aia’s backstory sounded quite impressive, likely holding many tales of adventure that would captivate Nymphias’ attention. “And if you go Britannia, take me with you,” she said, grinning foolishly. It was just fanciful thinking and a playful jest. But she did miss home a lot. “But I cannot go. My place is here and no family at home. My… domine Titus Sculpius Rufus and family need me too.” Escape wasn’t an option for her, she’d heard horror stories and her capture was bad enough. She couldn’t go through that or anything similar again. She felt embarrassed by her status but it was clear what she was anyways. “Maybe Fortuna hasn’t favoured me too.” @The Young Pope

“My name is Nymphias,” said Nymphias because that was her new name. Her old name, her old identity, it all didn’t matter anymore in Rome. A slave was nothing, a slave was property. The very thought of it made her sick to her stomach but at least she had a roof over her head. “I give him this coin?” She asked simply to make sure she was on the right track, she was frightened of getting even something as simple as handing a coin wrong. She leaned forwards and handed the coin to the man, who seemed just about done with her. Claiming her fruits, she put them away into a bag happily. The markets terrified her because of the crowds and noise but she did enjoy seeing the Roman world around her, it was nothing like she was used to back home and so everyday she was met with something new to see. Her attention returned to Rufus, who was now seen as her saviour. “I need lots of things. I need bread, cheese, wine,” she said honestly. “Lots of things. I want to see something for sewing also.” She wasn’t going to buy it, she simply wanted to look. Back in her home, she would sew gowns for herself but here she wore whatever she was told to wear. “Do you help everyone stupid like me?” she asked curiously, stepping away from the stall. “Rome need more people like you who are smart.” @Sharpie

She tried to concentrate and pick up his words, she was about to respond until one of the man’s men returned with a bucket filled with water. Putting her cloth away, she was momentarily stunned and watched in amazement as he dipped his fingers into the water. The man had a bucket summoned to clean his dirtied fingers, had men following him like a god, and appeared to be of high importance with the way he was clothed. Nymphias felt far beneath him. What he said next caught her off guard, he wasn’t speaking in Latin anymore. For a moment it was gibberish, only because the language he was speaking hadn’t registered in her mind. His accent was thick and she recognised those words. She had her own language and dialect but had travelled far enough within her country with a family that wasn’t even hers to, at least, understand and know the other dialects to some degree. His attempt did make her relax and smile, it certainly made him stand out from other Roman men. But then came the kiss to her hand. It surprised her, her cheeks grew warm and turned noticeably red, simply because it was like something out of one of her daydreams. “No,” she said in reply with a laugh, then speaking very slowly so he could understand. “Pleasure to meet you. But you speak well. If I am to call you Lucius, you must call be Nymphias. Not my lady. I’m not important.” Because that was the name given to her. Her old name was discarded with her old life. She then returned to the Latin language: “You talk my language very good. Have you visit my country? Where you learning to speak like that?” @The Young Pope

Nymphias tried to pay attention to what the two men were saying so that she could learn, her brows furrowed in concentration. Her head looked at one man when he spoke and then the other, back and forth until she was addressed by the red-haired man. He must have been a nice person, being able to put up with her initial moping and enough time had passed now that she was embarrassed. She quickly pointed at two fruits. “Those two,” she said before pulling some coins out of her coin purse and lay them flat on the palm of her hand. “It’s all too much or too little. I can’t count proper, it looks all the same.” “Only because you’re stupid,” muttered the man as he stared off into the distance bored, likely trying to uphold some semblance of power. Nymphias didn’t pay attention to the man’s words despite feeling as if he was judging her. She was staring at the coins in front of her as if somehow they’d simply give her the answer she was looking for. “One se…sesterce,” she said and with two fingers, she picked up a single coin. “This one? This one sesterce?” @Sharpie

When Ardra heard Erea’s “good”, she knew that Turi’s plan was a good one because Erea thought so. It sounded as though Turi had put some good thought into it, planning ways to make the family prosper, not fall. It gave Ardra a flicker of hope. She was about to open her mouth to tell Turi that their mother, father and Calpornus would have been proud of him for stepping forward, no differently than Calpornus had after their father was gone, but Immin began to speak in a way that sounded aggressive. His exasperated, aggravated and, frankly, forceful behaviour only caused Ardra to clam up and keep quiet, merely watching the ordeal awkwardly. Not only had he spat on Turi’s plan but he was rude to Erea, which was unforgivable. They were husband and wife, they were meant to be each other’s pillar. On top of that, he now refused to eat the meal that Ardra had spent much time preparing for. “Enjoy your meal,” said Ardra, trying to imitate Immin’s voice by deepening it, when the man was gone and the door was shut. He had left without eating and if he returned later, the food would have become cold by then or finished entirely. “Well, I think Turi’s idea is marvelous. Don’t mind him, he’s just jealous he didn’t think of it first.” She offered Turi a warm smile, hoping that Immin’s reaction didn’t deter him from what he thought was right. She then turned to Erea. “Will you be all right going back to your home later? Perhaps you can stay the night and let him see how lonely life is without you. When he wakes up alone and hungry, he’ll be awfully sorry.” @Polarity @Sara

The moment she heard his voice, she turned her head to see who it was and immediately she knew that he was someone of very high importance. Her eyes hopped from the tall, towering men that accompanied the richly dressed man to the coin bag that he placed in the old man’s hand. It was more than generous and to say that the action had shocked her was an understatement. Throughout the interaction between the man and the beggars, she was silent but reasoned that he was likely a compassionate man, considering he had allowed the old woman to kiss him on his cheek and touched the old man without complaint. Others, she thought, would not take kindly to such touchy-feely thankfulness. Her body was tense, it was not something she could control. The crowds, the noise, the bodyguards, if that’s what they were, everything, caused her body to seek out threats where there were none. She caught most of his words save the more difficult ones but she made out enough of what he said to understand and nodded intensely to show that she was listening. He was right, she had appear in a manner that would have them not take advantage of her kindness. “I am not my lady,” she said honestly but nervously, smiling in return. That should have been reserved for someone far more worthy than herself, nor was she even worthy enough for a man of his standing, whoever he was, to be talking to her as kindly as he was. “But thank you, I will be… deter…mined,” she said, trying to say the word exactly the way he had. Her brows furrowed in thought. “So that next time, they won’t frighten me. I will raise one’s voice.” She then reached into her bag and searched through it, taking out a piece of clothing and handing it to the man for him to take. “For you, domine. Your fingers are dirty. It is my blame. My fault.”

“What’s the matter?” He had said, she wanted to say everything. Life was the matter. It was kind one moment and then cruel the next. A part of her wondered if it was intent on ripping away every bit of her dreamy nature until she was mechanical or dead. Most men terrified her with their strong jaws, large arms and deep voices, seeming like monstrous titans, but somehow, perhaps because of the young man’s foreign looks, he seemed less threatening. She didn’t know what she was counting. Every time she counted, the amount seemed to change. It was either too much or too little. She wasn’t sure if it was the fact that she was panicking or if she had truly been pick-pocketed somehow. She knew she couldn’t return to her master’s sphere empty-handed but stringing together sentences in Latin was a difficult feat for the girl, even if she had improved substantially since her arrival into Rome. “If I don’t do this proper, I’m in trouble…,” she said quietly, feeling stupid and embarrassed. Her sister had done all the book-keeping, instead her head had been in the clouds. Thinking about who she was going to marry, how many daughters she would have or how pretty the flowers were when they bobbed in the wind while effortlessly sewing. What good all that was now. “I don’t know what I’m doing with count money,” she explained to the best of her abilities, wiping her eyes with the back of her hands. “I mean to say, counting money. What do I do to count proper? Can you help me? It’s too much or too little.”

She hadn’t gotten any sleep, crying silently to herself for much of the night, but that was simply because she wondered where her sister, her sister’s child, Turi and Immin were. If they were all even still alive. They had to be. Her gods wouldn’t have allowed such cruelty, not after the tragedy that the family had faced what felt like eons ago. But just like every day, she was able to find at least some strength to get up and get to work. She rushed about, doing whatever was needed of her until the time came when she was asked to head to the markets to pick some things up for the kitchens. Nervous about doing a good job, Nymphias had counted the coins with her multiple times. She hadn’t been careful enough to not filter through them out in the open where any thief could have seen. A naïve part of her was too focused on the quality of her work. She had heard horror stories of slaves doing terrible work, only to be re-sold to cruel masters or worse. The markets seemed like somewhere she often found herself in lately, running errands. Where there were pretty jewels, she looked upon them with wonder and imagined herself wearing some. Where she saw slaves, what happiness or courage she had became fragile. But she had to stay concentrated. She came to a stall and pointed to some fruits. “Two of those, please,” she said carefully and then the price was named. Nymphias dug into her coin purse, shifting through the coins. Just like before when she had been counting almost obsessively, she was counting all over again. She looked up at the shopkeeper, offering the man a small smile and a “one moment, please” before dramatically returning to counting. She still had yet to get a hang of Roman currency. Whether she had the correct amount or not, her heart raced and her eyes began to tear up pathetically. Sometimes, she needed a little help and someone to tell her what to do. It was better to look like a fool in front of everyone and get the job done then never. She looked up to the first person nearby that she laid eyes on. “Excuse me, I need help,” she said shyly. @Sharpie

Rome was a very large, bustling, colourful and crowded city. A stark difference to what Nymphias was used to back at home. It lacked the fresh smell of damp grass, the cool winds, or Britannia’s familiar grey skies. Some days were simpler to face than others, it all depended on the little things. If she slept well, if someone was kind to her, or if she saw something that sparked happiness in her heart. Though the sun glared down, the loud noises and masses caused her some nervousness. Her eyes were alert, fluttering from one direction to another, and clutching her bag tightly in case of thieves. A fellow slave had told her not to be distracted when talking in the hordes of people. The markets made her uneasy. For one, the crowds were too much for a girl who was now overly sensitive and also, one met and saw all kinds of people when venturing. From the nice-smelling bedeckled ladies, who Nymphias could only dream of wearing anything similar, to the soiled beggars lurking in the shadows, pulling at the heartstrings of only those who cared enough to look at them. Nymphias dared to look. Despite how detached from life she looked, she managed to buy some some bread without a moment’s hesitance, breaking some of it to give to an old blind woman and man. The old woman was thankful, blessing her. However, upon experiencing kindness, the man, covered in soot and who knew what else, came at her with his toothless grimace, mumbling, crying and pointing to his mouth. As a slave, she had only so much to give. “I’m sorry,” she tried to explain, lump at the back of her throat, but the old man didn’t seem to understand her through her thick accent. Neither did he seem to hear her for she spoke so quietly. He only became worse as she tried to move away. In a panic, she stepped away from him like a stunned animal and was rendered speechless, unable to decide on what to do. To help to quiet him or to run away like the coward she felt she’d become. @The Young Pope

@Atrice For now we can start with Helios and Nymphias because I think that might be fun (but I'd love to thread with Cynane in the future!!). As for who starts and where, I have no preferences. If you want me to start, I can but if you want to, feel free! Just lmk what you prefer. @Liv I'm up for a Clio/Nymphias thread whenever you're ready for one! I'm thinking of having Nymphias be Titus' slave, if that's okay with you. If you want to thread them now or in the future, have preferences on who starts, etc., lmk!

Her mouth opened in surprise. “I’m more than adequate,” she whined quietly with a laugh, mostly to herself. And when her sister asked if they were all right on their own, Ardra nodded her head. Admittedly, sometimes it was difficult to sleep, wondering where their mother was and knowing that Calpornus had died in their home but she couldn’t mention that to Erea, let alone have Turi hear about it. They had a lot on their shoulders. Ardra sat down at the table right next to Erea. With her sister living in another home, though close, she wanted to sit next to her. Ardra was more than excited about having a little niece or nephew, believing it would bring everyone joy as children often did, or so she had heard, and it was precisely that that had stolen her attention. She smiled widely in a way that made the sides of her eyes crinkle and her hand reached to take one of her sister’s, squeezing gently. Their mother would be proud. “If there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to ask,” said Ardra pleasantly. “And when the little one is here at last, I would be more than happy to take over whenever you need the rest. I hope you two are blessed with many children.” Immin let out a laugh. “Let us have this little one first,” he said. Sometimes when cleaning, Ardra was met with dreaming about how Turi would teach Erea’s child how to work at the forge and how her sister’s children would be close to her own, whenever she too became a mother. She loosened her grip from her sister to pour herself some watered mead. “Turi ought to tell you about his days, mine have been rather uneventful, I’m afraid,” she admitted. “I’ve been busy here in the home and sewing in hopes to make new clothing.” Proud of her endeavours, she lifted her cup and took a sip before placing it back down.

@The Young Pope I really like Lucius's concept as a character and your ideas. I'm fine with having a thread now, if you are! Just give me the green light and like I said, I don't mind starting.

@The Young Pope Senator Lucius is definitely an interesting character from what I've read. I have it in my mind now that Nymphias will be reunited with her siblings after Ambrosius and Charis have met so I think if she's Lucius's slave, she might meet her brother sooner than I want. However, I do think Lucius can still be an influential key in reuniting the siblings because I haven't yet been smart enough to figure out a way for Nymphias to be reunited with her siblings... and I think that's where Lucius might come in handy, once he figures out just who Nymphias is. And in thanks of his help, Nymphias, even if not his slave, would be happy to help him with upcoming heirs (or anything) regardless. It might be added work for her but she's willing to help anyone out. Until then, they can definitely thread because each have a connection with Ambrosius and that might be fun to play off of? Lmk what you think! I don't mind starting a thread either! @Sharpie I think Nymphias and Volusa would get along, they're slaves, close in age, and have enough similarity in their personalities. I'm a sucker for friendships. But I also see potential with Rufus and Teutus as well. I think Nymphias and Rufus (or Teutus) meeting might be interesting, considering that Charis is Rufus's friend and Teutus works alongside her. Any of these three work but I'd like to thread with either Volusa or Rufus. I guess I could start and you could throw whichever character of yours makes the most sense? As for Aulus, I wouldn't mind her being Aulus' slave. I'm still trying to decide who she might be a slave to because all options are good! I might either have to make an auction thread based when she arrived for people to join in, should they want to, roll some dice or wait for replies (or maybe someone can choose for me)

@Atrice I would definitely love to throw Nymphias at Helios for a little bit of drama! Nymphias would fall for the charm and would definitely be fool enough to give up any information about anything (people, things she's heard, etc.). But I think figuring out who she is might be easy once she gets talking about herself, it shouldn't be too hard for Helios once he pieces it all together. I would really love to write these together I think, lmk who you want to start. I'd love for Nymphias to get to know Cynane. I love that she can be realistic, motherly and protective. Nymphias could use a bit of all of that right now tbh. They seem different enough in personality that a thread between the two women could be very, very interesting while probably getting along. I want Nymphias to eventually "grow up" so such a person like Cynane would make a good role model! I saw that you needed more threads for a barber character and Septima Major, I'd be happy to throw my character at both or one. But I definitely see a lot of potential between Nymphias at Septima Major, whether or not Nymphias works as a slave at her household or not! They're around the same age and both have similar personalities, I think they would be cute as a duo despite their different stations in life. Liv mentioned the possibility of Nymphias being a slave to Clio's master or Titus Sculpius Rufus. You both gave such good options that I'm at a loss of what to choose now! @Liv If they're in the same household (should whoever plays Annia Comna be open to the idea), I'd really love the idea of Clio seeing Nymphias as competition. I think that could be a fun dynamic to write out. If not, an interaction by chance between the two could still be fun! They're both slaves, they have that in common. Clio is thirsty for knowledge and if there's anything Nymphias knows, whether it's about Britannia or one of the girly things she's good at, Nymphias could teach her! I know Atrice mentioned the possibility of Nymphias working for Gaius' household so I'm very torn on what to choose with all the great ideas given to me but I do think Nymphias working for a family like Titus' with young children would be good. Besides, Titus seems like a cool guy. He was posted in Britannia as a man of military. I think that mixed with Nymphias having had bad experiences with Romans in Britannia would be an interesting thing to work off of, considering that Titus and his family don't seem all that bad! I'm good with whichever you want to throw at Nymphias, where you see the most potential! And overall, to both of you, lemme sit and think about whose slave she's gonna be

The warm glow of the hearth gave the home a dim lighting, something that Ardra associated with dark wintery nights when all were inside and kept safe from the cold bitterness that bit at one’s skin. When the door swung open suddenly, Ardra was adding the finishing touches to their dinner. She spun around, a bright smile on her face and it was then that her eyes met her sister’s familiar face. “It’s a surprise,” she said, rather proud of herself and settling plates onto the table for all to dig in when the time came. It was a meal that Ardra had learned from their mother. Now more than ever, they needed a taste of the past. “Immin had been such good help. Haven’t you, Immin?” Immin looked up momentarily and smiled. Cooking gave Ardra an ample amount of time to be whisked away by her fancies, musing about some boy in their settlement. He looked at her perhaps once and since then, she hoped that he would marry her, just the way Erea and Immin were married. Before Erea had arrived, Ardra had been subjecting poor Immin to her youthful imaginations of how she wanted to be married just like her sister by the time she was seventeen. A stark difference to how she’d been months earlier after the horrors their family had faced, though she missed her mother and Calpornus deeply still. Erea looked weary, Ardra wondered if it partly had to do with the forge and their past tragedies. “Why don’t you sit down,” said Ardra, gesturing towards a chair. Being the youngest, for once, she wanted to have more control of things. “You mustn’t worry about anything, ever. Immin, Turi and I have everything under control. Don’t we, Turi? Turi?” Her neck twisted in search of her older brother. @Polarity @Sara

Nymphias (Born as "Ardra") Sixteen years old, Nymphias is an innocent, shy and naïve girl who is ridiculously hopeful from Britannia. She's been a slave in Rome since the summer, working household type stuff. Since her enslavement and being separated from her family (Ambrosius, Charis and their mother), she's been having trouble sleeping, eating, crying hysterically and is afraid of everything. Given her horrible, sad and fearful state, she's going to need some friends and nice people in her life (any gender!) but I guess she needs people to make her life hell too. With the right people and circumstances, she can be imaginative, cheerful, carefree and someone with a big heart, always looking to help others. Her ultimate goal is to find her family, feeling a bit lost without them. Her application is here: Click. Type of plots: Nymphias is gullible and innocent so anyone who wants to use someone "easy" to manipulate can use her for something... anything, really. I'm a sucker for manipulation plots. She's owned by Titus Sculpius Rufus, his wife Valeria Flacca and their children so connections? Friends, enemies, co-workers... the usual. I am open to ALL kinds of plots and threads. Political intrigue, gritty, comedy, everything. Titus Aspanius Lupus (Aka. "Titty") Titus is the forty-seven year old owner of the Elysium brothel, he has ties with the Syndicate Gang, has worked with the criminals in the past (and orchestrated the murder of a business partner) and hopes to expand his business to the more criminal side of Rome. He's cunning, controlling, scheming, lecherous, and incredibly greedy. He views everyone as toys and chess pieces until proven otherwise. He uses his prostitutes as informants to get information he can use to his favour. He's not a nice guy overall but if lucky, he is capable of some kindness. He has a sister, Gaia Lupa, who is a midwife/helper at the Elysium. Want to know more about him? Check him out here: Click. Type of plots: I would love for some cat-and-mouse type plots, please and thanks He will need prostitutes working for him & his own personal slaves, he uses them as spies to get information about anyone of interest (I won't have him do anything violent/cruel without the consent of other RPers but be warned, he's not nice!) He wants to expand his business to criminals so business associates, rivals, criminals, etc. would be nice! Open to anything so just throw literally anything! Tiberius Herius Bassus (Born as "Chanan ben Eldad") Once a Jewish husband turned slave, the thirty-eight year old Bassus is now a freedman and charioteer. He's kind of a yin and yang character. He is dead on the inside and mechanical after the loss of his family and slavery but he's outwardly coquettish and a bit of a tease. He's prideful and sometimes cocky, especially when racing, but surprisingly understanding and modest. He came from a somewhat wealthy family so he's educated and intelligent, he can write, read and is a quick-learner. He now works as a charioteer, though he might be better suited for more academic and writing jobs, and enjoys the attention and entertaining the audience. More about him: here. Type of plots: Charioteer rivals, friends, etc.! Would love a father/son (or daughter)-like relationship. "Book"/reading club, anyone? He's well-read and was a scribe once upon a time. Maybe read some Landicus in a group? Would (shamelessly) love some romance plot for this guy, esp. if it's slow burn. He'll be pretty faithful, won't really sleep around. Open to anything! Aculia Aculia is the twenty year old slave of Marcus Barbatus, a barber in Rome. It's not common knowledge but he's not the kindness. Originally from Gaul, she was abandoned twice by family (one in which sold her into slavery), was basically homeless, and then repeatedly abandoned again as a slave until she was bought by Marcus. She's developed "positive feelings" for him (not romantic, it's a defence mechanism), which only complicates her already fragile psyche. She has abandonment issues, is insecure, and fearful of her master to the point of being very submissive. Outside of that, she's perceptive, serious, interested in theatre and loves deep, intellectual conversations... and not much of a jokester. The complete opposite of what people see at first, a young woman with a "thousand-yard stare". More about her: Here. Plot ideas: I guess if your character is male and in need of shave, they might bump into her! If your character is a slave or a cook, they'll surely meet her somehow. Aculia was abandoned many times over, never had real friends. She'll be slow to warm/open up so potential friends will have to be very patient and would love for them to help her see the world outside her master's domain. Could use some a lover? Ideas: If you're looking for a very messy romance, this'll be it. She has a lot of baggage and, well, this leads me to my next idea: Through companionship, would love for her to one day possibly try to escape her master. But I'd love to build up to this. Open to anything else! Give enemies, rivals, all of it. Aurelia Phillipa (Femme!Jack Sparrow) "Bedded. Dumped. Died. Bedded. Dumped. Survived." If you have heard this song, you've likely heard of the infamous Aurelia Phillipa. She's thirty-six years young. She's lively, adventurous, and spontaneous but she's lost, assertive and a lot to handle so tread carefully. Her favourite past-times include playing music, visiting the country, partying, drinking and sleeping around. The last three probably give her a bad reputation but lives for the scandal and gossip. She enjoys pulling other women into her madness. She's an energetic mother of five (four living) and all three of her husbands died. One in battle, one in a latrine, and the third by illness, earning her the title "The Black Widow". She's even seen lovers come and go. More about her: here. Plot ideas: Parties? Drinking? She'll most likely be there, give her an invite! Womanly friends who she can party, do self-care treatments, drink and go on mad shopping sprees with. Open to male friends too! People she can connect with on a deeper level. A good time is her forte but would love to shake it up a bit. Ex-lovers/ex-friends-with-benefits (any gender), wouldn't it be interesting and awkward? Haven't thought ahead about romance but open, I guess! Open as usual, just toss anything my way.