Laria

Hello Jarn! It's lovely to meet you, I'm Laria.

She chuckled at how he arched his brow at her comment, the drama of it amused her, especially seeing as at this point neither of them should be suprized by anything the other had said. “I would also prefer to do something more meaningful, Domina. I could be tending to the horses. I could be making plans or seek information. I could read something useful and interesting." She wondered what he ment when he said "making plans or seeking information, " she was no stranger to scheming, though she wondered exactly what it was that he was aiming to do. He mind immediately started whirring as she imagined all sorts of possibilities, perhaps he wanted to learn information on opposing teams? Or there were rumors about the races having fixed winners, maybe he was a part of that? It could be something more personal that she couldn't possible guess. No matter what it was he was after, he needed to watch himself, Rome was a ruthless place and if he wasn't careful he could get himself killed; though she was sure he didn't need reminding, he seemed smart enough to cover his ass and not go looking for trouble. "May I ask your name, Domina?” "Marcella, Marcella Laelia" she answered, knowing full well that he was called Caeso, anyone who frequented the races knew. Though of course it would be rude to not ask, even if it was just a clarification "Ceaso, wasn't it?" @Atrice

It was refreshing to know that she was not the only one who found no joy in attending parties like this, it was not often that Marcella came across people who thought like her. She was quite enjoying this conversation, even if all the honestly was unusual. “So you settled to entertain yourself with me. I hope I am not boring you yet, domina. I am aware that I am probably not what you expected. Most people tell me that.” She felt flusted when he accused her of entertaining herself with him while she waited, it was somewhat true but she still genuinely was interested and invested in this conversation. "It's true that you are not what I expected, but you're not boring me in the slightest." She had expected him to act much more extroverted than he appeared to be and that he would have excused himself to mingle with other guests by now, but here he was, still speaking with her. From what she could tell he had intelligence, a simpler slave would surely be indulging himself with food, wine, and attention. But he seemed uninterested in all of that, choosing instead to quietly observe the other partygoers, until she approached him of course. “Is there something else you’d rather do, than go to parties? Most noble ladies seem to enjoy them a lot.” "I would prefer to spend my time doing something more... substantial. I feel like I'm wasting my time whenever I attended events like this," she responded. "Is there something or somewhere you would rather be or be doing right now?" she assumed there was, or perhaps he just disliked parties regardless of what he could be doing instead. @Atrice

He seemed suprized when she answered so honestly and then questioned his own willingness to being there. She found his suprize rather amusing, and slightly smiled before he answered her question. “Actually I do... No offense to you, of course. But you see all these people… all they want is to gossip and who knows what later. That doesn’t interest me. Yet on the other hand, it would be weird to not come to a party that celebrates my team. So here I am.” She had not expected such an honest answer, though she did appreciate it, she saw no reason for lying as a means to merely spare feelings, but she saw it happen quite often. What he said made perfect sense and was precisely the reason that she didn't often attend parties such as these, though she did feel a bit disheartened when he said that, as he put it, "who knows what later", did not interest him. "So here you are" she echoed, and took a sip of her wine, his explanation certainly proved that he had a valid reason for being there. She did however wonder why his other teammates were not present, perhaps they all shared his attitude on parties and drew straws to see who had to go, but that was extremely unlikely in this city. “Why are you here then?” "I'm a fan of the races, and when I heard there was to be a party after I decided to attend in hopes of meeting a recent acquaintance, but he doesn't seem to be here, or at least not yet." Apon saying this she did a quick scan of the faces in the room, looking to see if he had arrived while she was engaged in conversation. @Atrice

“Thank you, domina... I’m glad to hear you thought us excellent" Marcella matched his smile with the same level of enthusiasm that he displayed, or rather a lack of genuine enthusiasm. She couldn't exactly blame him, she reasoned that he must have conversations like this one at nearly if not every party he attended; she didn't just want to be just one more on a list of people he had meaningless chats with though, she had always wanted to be remembered by everyone she willing conversed with. "Are you enjoying the party so far, domina?” "I can't say I am, no, though I can't say I'm the best judge as I'm not much of a party-goer." She looked him over and thought for a moment before asking, "I presume you feel the same?" It was quite the assumption to make, but she had resin to believe it: he seemed utterly disinterested in the provided entertainment, wasn't seeking out conversation, and had chosen to stand apart from the bulk of the guest. @Atrice

It had been and excellent day to watch the races, though she hardly found the time to go, Marcella thoroughly enjoyed visiting the Circus Maximus to see them. Watching the teams of horses dart past each other was always a thrilling sight, and today had been no exception. She had been rooting for the white team but she wasn't to upset by their defeat, she had only been hoping for their victory because of a recent aquantince who happened to be on said team; still, she couldn't deny that they had truly been crushed by green this race. It was because of how eclectic the races had been that she was at this party that she ordinarily would never attend, but there were rumors that one of the winning charioteers might be in attendance. Of course she couldn't miss an opportunity to congratulate on of the men who had won such a victory, even if she was embarrassingly dress in both a white chiton and palla. She waited sipping a glass of wine and watching the entrance as she waited for one of the three victors to arrive, and then he did, she watched as he choose to lean against a pillar rather than immediately begin interacting with the other guests. She studied his face and saw that he looked indifferent, possible even annoyed, to be there. She nearly laughed at the irony, usually she had the same expression, but the one time she was excited to be at a party the reason she was excited looked annoyed. Regardless, she made her way over to him and said "I would like to congratulate you on your victory today, your team was excellent" @Atrice

LARIA CALLISTA- POST HEREMARCELLA LAELIA- POST HERE SPURIUS GAIUS LUPUS- POST HERE

"I'm not sure" She matched his smile, it somewhat made sense to her, every job that was about making real tangible objects was "I'm not sure" She matched his smile, it somewhat made sense to her, every craftsman made something they were proud of day after day, even if their customers didn't appreciate the work that went into creating it. There was something appealing about being able to see tangible proof of your work. Then he asked what she would do, she answered saying she would raise a family. "You'd make a good mother." "Thank you" she smiled warmly at him, having children was something she had wanted for quite some time, but even when they were a mere hope of hers she put them first, and having a freedman mother would be much better for them than a slave mother. @Chevi

"I... think I'd want to do something with my hands... You know... make things? It's... not very impressive." "Making thinks can be impressive, it all depends on what you make" she countered, "What would you make?" "What would you do?" Well, she would be making things herself, just in a very different way that definitely did not need the use of her hands. "I don't know what I'd do career wise, but I do know that I would want to start a family." She blushed slightly when admitting this, there was nothing wrong with her wanting a family but she hardly admitted it to anyone. @Chevi

That's really interesting, boy am I glad that the video's not banned in America

He paused before answering just as she did, and she almost laughed at the absurdity. She had hesitated not because she didn't know what she wanted but because she didn't want to say the wrong thing, she suspected for Felix it was the opposite. "Maybe?... Yes, I think. It's just... I am not sure what I would do... Sometimes... I feel like I don't really have anything else I would be good at." She sat and thought for a moment before answering, "well, what do you enjoy?" If he couldn't think of something he was good at surely he could think of something he liked to do, a he would most likely be good at whatever he liked. @Chevi

Summer, even though I get burned. Sneakers or boots?

"Is that what you want? To get your freedom one day?" She sat there stunned, surprised by his forwardness. After a short by long enough to be awkward pause she answered him, "not like this, but yes." She had grown up free, it wasn't until her teenage years that she became enslaved so naturally she would want her freedom back. "Would you want it one day?" she asked, it made sense for her to want to have her freedom back but Felix had been born enslaved, she didn't know what he would want. @Chevi

"You're a good girl, my order still stands: neither you nor Felix are to leave the house - you shouldn't need to, anyway. And your mistress with find you something to do to keep you busy and help keep your mind off it all. There will be an end to all this nonsense and everyone will be safe. If anything like this ever happens again, you are to tell your mistress or me as soon as possible." "Yes Dominus" she was grateful for the extra work and the guarentee that she wouldn't have to leave the house. She had always been able to distract herself just so long as she had something to do and she felt safer at home. She felt relived that he seemed to understand why she had done what she had done; he made it clear to her that if something else like this ever happened she was to inform him immediately and she was likely to do so because of how reasonable he was being with this situation. She shifted her weight again and waited to be excused, she didn't think there was anything left to talk about. It seemed to her that this whole situation was out of her hands now, if felt as if a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. @Sharpie So should we wrap this up?

"It took a threat directed at the children before you gave him anything" She nodded and stifled a yawn, after a fitful night of sleep it no longer seem as important to point out that the threats, while directed at the children, were vague rather than direct. "That must have been a very difficult position to be in. Now, I need you to be honest. If Felix had not told us that yesterday, would you have told your mistress or me, or would you have kept his demands to yourself?" Her mouth fell open and her eyes widened in suprize. Had Felix told him? Surely he wouldn't have, but then again he was one of, it not the most loyal slave in the household. Maybe he hadn't told on her, perhaps it was how she acted last night that gave her away. She composed herself and answered honestly, "I don't know, yesterday I was motivated only by fear and that praetorian told me that everything would be much worse if he even suspected that anyone but Felix and I knew what he had done, and I believed him. I think I still would have told you, but not last night." @Sharpie

"Sounds good enough" She smiled, glad that she had picked a good choice on the first try. "Shall we pay and move on, or would you like to browse some more?... For domina." She thought for a moment before answering, she had already picked out a history she had heard good things about but she also didn't want to overlook something better because her and Felix had wasted time selecting something for themselves."I don't think I need to look anymore" what she had selected was educational, entertaining enough, and could never even remotely be considered scandalous. @Chevi

"No doubt you know why I sent for you, yesterday was rather emotional for you, and for good reason. I would like to hear what happened, as clearly as you can tell me." As he spoke she shifted her weight from side to side, she did indeed know why she was here but that didn't make it any less nerve wracking for her to explain what had happened the day before. It did help that he was being gentle with her rather than going about this interrogation style, but it still was not an event she wanted to relive. "I was running errands when I was taken to the Castra. I was threatened with torture by the guards who had apprehended me, then the one who would end up questioning me interviened, he told them to release me into his custody. I think he was trying to make me feel safer with him by saving me from a situation that it is clear to me now he orchestrated. He lead me to his office and asked about Domina's family, it was as if he were trying to disguise his questions as small talk but with every vague answer I gave he grew more and more frustrated." She paused to take a shaky breath, "I don't remember exactly what was said but more guards that had been waiting outside the door burst in and grabbed me, he then said that he believed Domina's family were all traitors and that he wanted me to help him find proof. He offered me freedom and then threatened go have me crucified, after that he threatened the children and I found myself agreeing to his every demand. I couldn't see any other way to leave there alive." She looked down in shame before continuing "I acted selfish and reckless, my behavior was inexcusable and I hope that you can somehow forgive me" @Sharpie

⁴On any other day Callista would be panicky if she had been ordered to go see the dominus, today however, she was completely calm. She knew exactly what he wanted to as her about and had expected him to summon her. She understood that she may be under some suspicion due to her agreeing to betray her masters, but under the circumstances it seemed like the only option. "Callista. I hope you have recovered from your ordeal yesterday," "I have Dominus, thank you." It was true that she was much less emotional than she had been the day before, yesterday she was a mess of fear, anger, confusion, and remorse, but today she just felt numb. She stood before him and waited to be asked to explain what exactly had happened yesterday that had caused this whole mess. @Sharpie

"I think he made it so that there was no right choice. People like him do that when they have power in their hands." She nodded in agreement, it certainly seemed like it to her. She noticed his frown and assumed there was something more he wanted to say but couldn't, she knew the feeling well. "He made a play about offering me freedom for treason. I think he made a mistake there." "He offered me the same" she said, she didn't add that it didn't seem like a mistake to her. She had been free in her youth, and while she never wanted to betray the family it was smart of him to try and sway her with the promise of freedom. @Chevi so sorry that took as long as it did

@Sharpie that sounds great, I can't wait, but I wont be able to participate until this Saturday; I've been drowning in school work lately so AeRo and all other rp sites have been pushed to the back burner.

As more women filed into the domus, Marcella took care to memorize every name she heard, Horatia Pulvilla, two Septimas, Pinaria, and of course their hostess, Horatia Justian. She still did not know the name of the mother and the woman whose presence delighted one of the Septima so greatly, but she was confident that she would learn of their identity's by the end of the meeting. In addition to that she hoped to learn the full names of ever woman present and the occupation of their husband, brother(s), father, and son(s); one could never have to much information in her opinion. "It's a pleasure Marcella," She smiled warmly in response before Horatia moved on to greet the next woman and her daughter. Marcella couldn't help but feel the corners of her mouth momentarily twitch downward as Horatia offered to lend the child her daughters dolls. In her opinion, children had no place at a book club unless they were prepared to participate, she had no qualms with children, just so long as they had some worth. She hoped that the girl would at least stay quite and make herself scarse if she was to be playing with toys during their discussion. "I have us set up in the triclinium for now, but we can always move to the garden if the weather holds." She smiled in recognition of the statement and followed her into the triclinium, she was impressed by how utterly perfect everything looked. "This all looks beautiful" she commented, before sitting down. She waited for some of the other ladies to sit before she did, that way she could choose who she would be sitting next to. She chose to sit next to the woman she didn't know, not the mother, if her daughter was stay the whole meeting would be dreadful, instead she chose the one who the Septima girl was so happy to see. After sitting she unfurled the top if her scroll, it look as if it were brand new even though she had owned it since she was a child. This was both because she took exceptionally good care of her books and because in he life she had only read it twice. She read it as a girl and had decided that she didn't care for the story, it was very well written but the plot seemed to unrealistic to her, and Penelope annoyed her. Until reciving the invite to this very club, she hadn't bothered to reread it. Once she was situated she turned to face the woman whose name she didn't not know and introduced herself "I'm Marcella" she said with a smile, "I don't believe I caught your name?" @Anna @Lauren @Sara @Chevi @Atrice I figured we might as well use the order we already had going

"Well, none of it was your fault either" She smiled at him and said "thanks," she still felt as if whatever came next would be but it was still nice that he didn't seem to think so. "Seems unfair, doesn't it?... Feels like out of two wrong choices, each of us made one." "I don't think there ever was a right choice, no matter what either of us chose we risked hurting someone. It seems ironic how we both wanted to keep everyone safe, and yet we choose to do so in completley different ways." They really were different kinds of people she was beginning to realize, while she acted on pure instinct and emotion he made the logical decision even under such pressure. She understood that she would never truly know what he had gone through in the Castra and vice versa, but if it was anything like her experience than she knew he was much more resilient than her. @Chevi

She felt like crying again, but she held back her tears, she knew that if she started she would never be able to stop. It scared her how quickly she had broken, for more than two decades she had been with this family but all it took was a a couple threats and she agreed to betray them. "You are not a horrible person" She smiled sadly at him, it was kind of him to say so but she sure did feel like one. "And I betrayed you too. That man told me he had you, and I... didn't tell him what he wanted to hear. He could have hurt you for that. If you didn't protect yourself, you would have been hurt, and it would have been my fault." She looked shocked, she turned to face him and looked him straight in the eye. "The only person to blame is that praetorian, nothing that happened or could have happened was your fault. You didn't betray me when you choose to withhold information, you protected everyone including me by doing so. Please don't blame yourself for any of this, none of it was your fault." @Chevi

"Any time" She smiled in a more content manner back at him, just having someone to talk to was brightening her mood considerably. After he moved the tray onto his knees she finished her slice of bread and took another. "You are very clever... I think that also makes you strong. I am glad you did what you did. It would have been a lot worse otherwise." She stopped eating and laughed a humour-less laugh. She shook her head and said "I'm not clever or strong, I'm incredibly selfish and weak. When I agreed to help him I wasn't thinking of anything but my own self preservation. I betrayed everyone, including you and somehow still had the audacity to expect immediate forgiveness." She shook her head again and said "I'm a horrible person Felix, I know that I wouldn't be talking to me, let alone comforting me if I were in your situation" @Chevi

She felt him move next to her and unconsciously stiffened, as much as she liked him she was feeling so many conflicting emotions that her natural reaction was to put her guard up. She finally relaxed when he started speaking, "You didn't do anything wrong... And you are right, this should not be your fight. Or mine. But he made it ours when he threatened us." She looked back at him and nodded slowly. She was feeling very conflicted by Felix's presence, the more emotional part of her was glad he was there and wanted him to hold her, while her more logical side was terrified about where this could lead. Unsure of what to say she finally settled on, "thank you," She smiled at him, it was laced with sadness but it was a smile none the less, "it was nice to be able to talk about this." @Chevi