A sky so sunny

[Gothic]

Household slaves, especially those who were in close contact with her would frequently be able to speak more freely than others. She smiled at Cynane, then looked around the room and took a final gaze into the large, expensive mirror and double checked her hair to ensure she was presentable. While her back was turned she listened to Volusa and silently agreed with her. She had not yet had her sedan stopped nor slowed down. Finally satisfied, she nodded her head and turned to Cynane again. "I am ready," She said, she walked with other members of her retinue and moved through the massive home of the Imperial family. Later, she would spend time with Drusilla or her family. The two members of the praetorian guard followed and silently flanked her as she walked with out where the litter was waiting for her. The strong slaves stood with it on the ground. Claudia extended her hand out for assistance as she entered the litter and sat down, made herself comfortable, and settled herself for the journey through Rome.

"Volusa, join me." She said, Cynane as a guard was expected to protect her Domina and thus had to either walk in front to move people out of the way or to push back any overly enthusiastic person who wished to speak with her. Claudia trusted her to make that decision on her own. Her hand reached out with her palm up, slowly lifted it and the litter rose with her hand. Once they had begun to move she smiled and brought her hand back inside. The strong, male slaves walked steadily and ensured the litter did not move roughly nor disturb the Domina. 

"It is nice to be getting out of the house," Claudia said with a slow sigh. 

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[Atrice]

Cynane gathered her hands on her back while she waited for the other two. Volusa kindly agreed that it might not take so long to get to the temples, since it was still early. And she smiled when the other slave said no one would get in the way of anyone from the imperial family. This was true. The imperial family had it good like this; you didn’t get in the way of anyone related to Caesar, unless you meant to cause trouble.

Once Claudia then announced they were ready to go, her two closest slaves followed her out to the litter, that she would be sitting inside. The palace was vast, but eventually they reached the litter and Cynane waited next to the litter while Claudia was helped inside. Then she asked Volusa to join her and Cynane was used to this… and fine. She liked being out here, where she could stay alert. She did not need to be shielded from their surroundings. Once Volusa was inside, movement began and Cynane stayed close to the litter, but kept a watchful eye towards the road in front of them too. She could hear the women talk inside the litter, but didn’t bother listening in.

@Gothic @Sharpie

[Sharpie]

Volusa stepped lightly into the litter as ordered, still unused to this. She quickly twitched her mistress' gown straight and set the bag she was carrying on her lap, holding it so that it would not fall, or be in Claudia's way. She tried to take up as little room as possible, aware of the yawning gulf between her mistress and herself, in terms of social ranking.

She felt a little guilty at giving the bearers extra weight to carry, but it wasn't as though she was very heavy - and nor did she have a choice, once ordered. Even with the extra weight, it was a smooth ride; Volusa guessed that the bearers would e threatened with the lash (even if not by Claudia) if the ride were anything but smooth for any of the Imperial family.

"It is nice to be out, Domina," she said in agreement. "It can get very stuffy to be indoors all the time."

 

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[Gothic]

Claudia laughed softly and nodded in agreement about Volusa's statement. 

"Oh Gods yes," She said, a brief glance through the curtain informed her that they were still within the compound of the Domus Augustana. Claudia sighed and closed it, leaned backwards. "I am looking forward to riding again. I will bring Decimus and Cynane with me." Claudia spoke out of the blue. Loud enough for Cynane to hear outside the curtain. She was imagining it, and wondered if one day she would be as skilled a rider as her mother. It gave her a chance to have a moment of freedom away from others, to be free.... at least temporarily before her life would go elsewhere. 

"Perhaps I could encourage Tiberius, Rutiliana and Titus to come with me?" She asked out loud. Moreso to herself than to Volusa. While she enjoyed spending time with her brother, cousins and the loose network of the elite friends she was connected to. There was something special about quiet time. Away from it all. "Or maybe.... something peaceful... and quiet....." She said, lay back and smiled at the thought of it. 

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[Sharpie]

"They would like that, I think," Volusa replied, just as quietly, very aware that her opinion had not been asked for, and yet her mistress might want a response to her musings.

"What sort of peaceful and quiet are you thinking of, Domina?" she asked, suddenly aware that she hadn't asked permission to ask the question, beguiled by her mistress' smile.

 

@Atrice

@Gothic

[Gothic]

The day had gone by sooner than they thought, and unfortunately Claudia did not get enough time to complete everything she desired.

They had visited the various temples and the like around Rome, did some socialising and shopping, and it was all round a good day. Claudia had an interesting conversation with the head Vestal, and was fortunate about being able to speak to her about the people in her life. A part of the Princess wished to write about the inner workings of the Domus Augustana and the things she had seen. Yet... at this time, she had not yet decided to follow through with it.  The sun had begun to fade from the sky long before they had returned back to the Domus Augustana. The sedan was taken away by the slaves. The trio of women walked through the corridors back to her quarters. There had been no messages that she would share a meal with the members of her family. 

"Gods, it is good to be back home again," She murmured to herself as servants opened the door to permit her to enter her quarters once more. "I will bathe again and eat, I am famished," Claudia said, although there was only one time the past when she had been truly hungry. Her hand rested on her growling stomach. "Cynane, please stay. I wish to discuss security matters with you." 

 

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[Atrice]

Everyone played their part in Rome, no matter if they wanted to or not, but Cynane at least took her job seriously about guarding the princess. She didn’t like letting the young woman out of her sight when they left the imperial palace and she’d done her job well today once more. And they had visited the temple of the Vestals, which was a place she liked. They had strict rules, she knew that, but at least it was only women in there. No men controlling them. Cynane could most certainly respect that. But she was only there to stand guard, not to talk.

Then after everything was done, they returned to the palace and Volusa and Cynane followed their mistress to her quarters. Claudia decided she’d both bathe and have something to eat and Cynane trusted that Volusa would make sure her mistress got what she wanted. Because meanwhile, Claudia asked Cynane to stay.

“Of course, Domina. I hope there isn’t any problem.” Cynane said, hoping she’d performed her job well enough. Well the princess hadn’t been attacked and Cynane kept watch all the time. Claudia was young, beautiful and precious. She wouldn’t let anyone harm her. 

@Gothic @Sharpie

[Sharpie]

Volusa was still getting used to telling others to fetch whatever it was the mistress wanted - yes, there were times she went herself, but not when it came to bathing and having something to eat!

She  returned the mistress' other palla to its home and fetched a gown for when she had finished bathing - something light and comfortable that she could relax in - and busied herself carefully removing all the jewellery that Claudia was wearing, returning it to its box.

It had been a long day, but a far more interesting one than when Claudia remained in the palace all day, though it wasn't over yet for Volusa, not by a long way. She took the tray of food that was brought in, setting it within reach and pouring a goblet of wine for her, stepping back silently when done, unsure whether she was dismissed or not.

 

  @Gothic @Atrice

[Gothic]

There had been no incidents when they were out today. The visits had gone quite well. People were polite and praised her yet what would happen if they eventually decided that they did not like her or her family? She extended her arms as other household slaves began to disrobe her, remove her jewelry and pin up her hair to protect it from the water. Claudia re-entered the room, had her body coated in oil before being massaged and had a strigil run over her skin. 

"Cynane, how much security do you think I will require if I go into the poorer areas? I wish to see some of the projects that Drusilla has going on for the less fortunate," She asked. Drusilla's public works had been one of the most prominent things she had done since becoming the Augusta. She gestured with her hand for Volusa to join and assist her get into the warmth of the water. "Put it down, Volusa. I will eat soon." She said, in private, she permitted her slaves to have some more freedom with their words than what she would permit in the public sphere. 

"I'm not sure whether Decimus would need to come or whether I need more Praetorians," She sighed in aristocratic frustration of the necessities of life, and waited for either of the two women to comment.

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[Sharpie]

Volusa set the tray down and offered her hand to help her mistress into the water. 

"Which one is Decimus, if I may ask?" She could not recall the Praetorian in question, though she must have seen him if he had been assigned to guard the princess. 

She shifted the tray of food a little closer to the edge of the pool so that Claudia could help herself to some of the delicacies without too much of an effort.

@Atrice @Gothic