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Atrice

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April, 74 AD

Another night, another party for the wealthy and nobles of Rome. Not that it happened every night, of course, but it wasn’t all that uncommon and while Tertius didn’t attend every party anymore, he did like to go out and meet other people than his slaves and the little family at home. He had left Antonia in Teutus’ care, knowing that his son would take good care of the noble lady that was his sister – and he seemed able to control her too, which was good. That made Tertius feel perfectly fine leaving home for a night like this.

 He wore a green tunica and his favorite dark blue toga with golden edges – it suited his own colors well and he believed it made his eyes appear more blue too. Who knew who might attend this party and whom he might encounter… and what the night would turn into. Maybe it would be quiet, maybe everyone would get drunk, maybe people were out for a bit of fun, you never knew. Tertius showed up at the address of one of his fellow senators, with his body slave Hector and his gladiator and bodyguard Favian following him. Favian was told to stay near the door and Hector would of course serve his master the best he could at such a party.

 It didn’t take long until Tertius had a cup of wine in his hand and Hector had carefully picked some grapes for his master, so that Tertius could have them when he pleased. The triclinium seemed all filled up though; there were no couches left there, so Tertius moved on and found another area near the atrium. There were music players in the corridor just next to the atrium, and a male and female dancer was entertaining whomever watching, with their sensual sways and moves.

 Tertius stood near a pillar to enjoy the sight and was soon joined by another senator. He knew him by name of course, but they had never spoken much before, except for at the senate of course and the occasional greeting when they randomly met. Tertius was probably mostly known as a back-bencher, who tried his best to stay neutral when it came to politics – although he would of course always support the winning side. He did like where his head sat on the neck, after all.

 It seemed right to speak to this fellow senator tonight though, “Greetings, Senator. It’s a fine spectacle they set up here tonight, isn’t it?” Tertius said, looking at the handsome male with the dark hair next to him, “Metellus, isn’t it?”

@Brian

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Parties and Rome went hand in hand. A lot of the time the company was either dull, tedious, or surprisingly entertaining. There was free wine though, and the wine often tended to make everything better. He stood and gazed idly at the mosaics on the wall, tried to determine when it was made and adjusted his toga. It was as close to red he could get without looking too much like a soldier, the fabric was expensive and vibrantly dyed. Decorate with some golden thread, the display of wealth without hopefully becoming effeminate in the process. Wealth, power, but never too much. He exhaled slowly and decided to continue to socialise. Who knew what he would overhear?

Lucius turned and walked towards the atrium where there were a duo of dancers, a male and a female in an arousing dance together. His gaze lingered on them, he had a natural desire for them, and hoped that he would have an opportunity to take it. Albina won't like it, but it was not her place to have an opinion on it. Naturally each of them were beautiful to behold, desirable, and a sign of wealth. 

He heard a man's voice and turned his head to see Quinticilius Varus, a notorious backbencher, and not that he could judge. Over time, he had become one, and also hoped to keep his head on his shoulders. Still, he smiled in a warm greeting, "Indeed, I have to say that I am impressed by the festivities, and between us," He said, leaned closer in a whisper in jest. "I hope the host continues to be generous with them." 

The next part caused him to stiffen a little. How could this man not know who the hell he was? Lucius leaned back and nodded in response. "Indeed, you have the pleasure, and... forgive me, I recognise your face yet cannot recall your name." He asked, a little salty that he was not recognised right away.

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Tertius didn’t know he was a notorious backbencher, he just lived his life the way it felt most right to him. But he did enjoy going out to parties, even if it wasn’t quite the same as ten years ago. Still though, it was nice to be out and you never knew whom you might run into. Like right now, when another man had joined Tertius to admire the dancers and Tertius decided to speak to him. He knew the man, of course, knew his name, but since they rarely interacted, it felt right to approach Lucius the way he did it.

 Lucius smiled warmly back at him, saying he was impressed with the party and hoped their host would continue to be as generous. Tertius smiled, “I’m sure he does.” These parties did sometimes get out of hand, but that didn’t matter, it’s just the way things were in Rome. Tomorrow was another day and when you were a nobleman in Rome, what happened at a party didn’t always matter so much in the long run. Unless of course one senator cheated with the other’s wife or something like that. And plans and alliances were made secretly and discretely, but officially, it was just another party.

 The other senator suddenly seemed a little displeased though, but then confirmed he was indeed Metellus and said he could not recall Tertius name, “Tertius Quinctilius Varus, senator, and it is indeed a pleasure.” He said with a smile and decided to ignore the look on the man’s face from just before, “What do you think of those two? I had hoped there might be more dancers, but I suppose they’ll do. The more wine we have, the easier on the eyes they’ll be.” Tertius added and sipped his wine. A slave passed by with a tray of fruit and Tertius caught a stem of grapes from it.

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He listened smiled to himself. No doubt the host was perfectly happy to try to pry any secrets out of them by using slaves. Men often spoke too freely to their lovers, even temporary, brief ones. "Indeed, indeed," Lucius echoed, absent-mindedly and smiled. Focused on the display before them and only occasionally he would pay attention to what Varus was saying to him. The slaves continued to dance, fully aware of the many eyes that were currently taking in their movement and enjoyed the display. 

Lucius nodded and smiled in somewhat false recognition towards the name that was spoken. He knew it, still, he was caught up in his rouse towards the other Senator. He smirked at the jest, the slaves were admittedly, not of the finest quality nor the wine. "Fortunately the wine is plentiful and the host is generous in that regard," He explained, raised his goblet in an offering of a toast and reached out to pluck a grape from Varus' pile. Since the pair of them were close together, why not share his food too? He twisted the plump piece of fruit in his hand, brought it to his lips and bite it in half. The moisture of the fruit juice still on his lips as he did so. 

"Perhaps we should see what else is here? Maybe there is a secret room where all the most comply of the slaves are hidden from view?" He asked, glanced around at the guests and wondered where else they should go. 

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The other senator seemed to agree when it came to the party with the very generous host, who clearly just wanted all guests to enjoy themselves and remember the party, so that they’d be back another time. And the host would gain some favor and some glory in return. Metellus commented on how there was plenty of wine and raised his goblet in a toast. Tertius did the same, “It would seem that he is, yes.” He agreed and downed a good gulp. Parties were always better when you were at least a little drunk.

 He’d grasped a stem of grapes from a slave and Metellus appeared to like that idea and also helped himself to one of Tertius’ grapes. He didn’t really mind and also picked one to eat. Meanwhile the other had finished a bite of his and wondered what else there was to do at this party… and hoped there might be more interesting slaves hidden from view. Tertius doubted that and these two were probably hired, but it was never a bad idea to go exploring.

 “Indeed, who knows what a secret room might contain.” Tertius said and sipped his wine some more, “Should we go exploring then?” He suggested and looked around. Most of the guests seemed to gather around the peristyle and the atrium. Around the peristyle especially there were quite a few rooms with closed doors and he’d also spied another door close to the tablinum in the middle of the domus… “How about seeing what’s around the peristyle?” He suggested; the doors near the peristyle could be anything. They could be sleeping chambers, kitchens, store rooms and sometimes even another dining room, “After you, Senator.”

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Lucius had absolutely nothing better to do. He took another goblet from the serving slave as he walked past him and happily helped himself. He was happy that Varus was not frustrated nor hostile at him helping himself to his grapes. It was not polite, and more than a little sneaky. "Ah, let us go on an adventure," Lucius commented, nodded his agreement to the question and leaned to the side to peer towards the direction of the host who was occupied with speaking to a small group of guests. Clearly they would not be missed nor truly noticed if they went off for a little while. 

He looked in the direction of the peristyle and wondered what else was there. Were there any secrets that their host wished to keep hidden from a pair of nosey guests? "Good idea, who knows? Perhaps this is where the host is hiding the most attractive of the slaves?" He teased, then shrugged when he was invited to go first and first paused to listen at the entrance. There were no sounds. Lucius entered the dimly lit room and saw things that were stored for the party, household and other bits and pieces. Nothing exciting nor of note either. 

"Ugh, nothing of note here," He grumbled to himself and threw up his free hand in mock frustration at their lack of entertainment. Lucius smirked then turned to face his fellow Senator. "You know, I think we could be accused of either sneaking away to plot or perhaps, something intimate...." Lucius could not resist teasing his newfound drinking buddy. 

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Since it would seem they would now enjoy this party together or at least some of it, why should they also not enjoy the grapes together? They were for everyone and Tertius mostly took them because he could, not because he was hungry. Lucius then agreed on the adventure. Again the other man wondered about the attractive slaves and Tertius arched a brow a moment, thinking he was very focused on that. Lucius was mostly here to get laid then, was that it? Probably. Tertius wouldn’t mind a round with someone either, but he’d let his personal slave Hector drift away for bit.

“You never know, do you? Only one way to find out…” Tertius replied to the comment about the attractive slaves and followed Lucius into the other room. He thought to himself the other man was actually very attractive, so it was a pity that he was also somewhat… arrogant, was that the right word for it? It probably was, actually. Meanwhile Lucius seemed disappointed that they’d just entered a storage room. Tertius smirked at the comment on why they were sneaking away.

“I’d not be surprised if someone did think that. And you never know, do you? What goes on behind closed doors...” Tertius said with that small smile on his face, “Let’s see the next one, then.” He gestured for Lucius to follow him and he looked over his shoulder a moment, before he then soon opened another door. It was very dark in the next room; there was actually a curtain up in front of the window and he narrowed his eyes to try and see in the darkness as he moved further inside.

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Lucius turned and gave a wink at the reply to his comment then shrugged. There was nothing better to do at the party, and there had to be better entertainment elsewhere. He felt like he did when he was a spoilt youth with the world as his oyster. When his life consisted of a variety of games, parties, and the many pleasures of youth. Many he secretly retained as he grew older, some secret and others? Not so much. "I wonder if this fellow is the collector of crap," He said and pushed a box, opened a door and peeked inside to make sure there was not a savage beast or an angry cook behind the door. Again. Nothing. He opened the door completely and saw a couple of bottles of wine in the dimly lit room. 

"Ah! Finally! Some decent wine!" He grinned, tapped Varus' chest twice to hint for him to join him and reclined happily on the bed. "I cannot imagine why this is here. Maybe this is where the slaves sneak off to with the Falerian wine? Or perhaps where he seeks some patience? Who knows?" Lucius continued, his hand rummaged through some of the boxes. It was always fascinating to find things in other people's homes. The wine had loosened some of his morality and upright standing. He was more approachable and willing to speak with people. 

"Ooh ah.. what is this?" He jested and pulled out an odd looking statue. "Any guess what this room is for?" He said, happily and took a mouthful. Accidently some spilled down his chin but he did not seem to care. 

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He figured they were more or less similar in age, give or take a few years. But Metellus here was so much more arrogant than Tertius… at least he thought so. He didn’t consider himself on such a high horse as the other seemed to sit on, even when walking. Now they were exploring various rooms away from the rest of the party and the other man said their host must be collecting crap. They looked into a dimly lit room next, and Metellus walked ahead of Tertius once the door was opened. The other then found a jar of wine and there was also a bed in the room. Metellus took in said bed with the wine.

 “I have no idea.” Tertius finally took a place on the bed too, after the other had found a statue. He reached for the jar of wine Metellus held and downed some of it, “I doubt this is a slave’s room.” He commented, running a hand over the sheets on the bed, “This is much too soft and smooth for a slave. It’s very nice, actually.” He handed the wine back to Metellus and lay down entirely then. Maybe he should just go home from this party, it was not very eventful and his companion seemed a bit odd so far. But who knew, maybe it would change once the other had more wine?

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Lucius thought that Tertius was putting far too much thought into this. It could have been the wine and merriment talking. Together they lay down on the makeshift mattress and idly he searched for any more signs of what this room could have been. "Perhaps this is where he sneaks off with his favoured pet? Maybe a boy or maybe a girl," He said, licked his lips clean of the wine and grumbled when he felt the wine on his chin. Now what else was there to do when they were both here drinking? Would the pair of them have a great philosophical talk between each other? It was all hard to say. 

"So, good Varus, now we are into the wine....." He said, reclined and rested the pitcher on his chest, occasionally his hand would move to stop it from tipping over and slipping over the pair of them. "What secrets shall we reveal to each other?" He jested, a wicked grin on his lips as he looked back at him and relaxed on the spot. It was considerably comfortable, and fortunately there were no questionable stains that would turn his stomach. 

Outside the room he could hear the party. The host was making a spectacle of himself, no doubt, and trying to push his daughters to the single bachelors of Rome in order to boost the family status. 

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Tertius glanced at Lucius in the faint light, while the other mused about what the owner of this house used this room for… “Maybe, but it’s impossible to know for now.” Tertius simply replied. They couldn’t know so all this was, was guessing and nothing more. And he didn’t really find it all that interesting, so he reached for the wine again and Lucius apparently felt like chatting. He wondered if they should reveal secrets.

 “I don’t know.” Tertius said and rolled over to his side, facing the man more directly. It was kind of odd, to be honest, to lie like this in a stranger’s bed with a man he didn’t really know… and the man wasn’t a slave. Tertius had never slept with a man who wasn’t a slave – it wasn’t looked well upon, when men slept around with other free men. Or, you could do that, but you had to be the top. A free Roman citizen didn’t allow anyone else to take him – he took others. That’s why he preferred to sleep with male slaves, because that’s what they were there for. Well it was one of the reasons anyway.

 “Since it was your suggestions… I’ll let you begin. Do you have any secrets you feel like spilling to me?” Tertius asked with a smirk.

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"Now, you haven't even bought me a drink yet." He said, winked and glanced down at the pitcher in his hand. Lucius' eyes widened, grinned and gasped as he steadied it on his chest to ensure it did not spill all over the pair of them. Lucius was not drunk enough to reveal any secrets. But since Tertius asked. "Hmm, a secret, a secret.... I cannot say that I am particularly interesting enough to have one." Lucius murmured in thought, tried to think of something interesting yet nothing damaging to his reputation. He sucked on his teeth and tapped his fingertips against the surface of the jug while he thought. 

Finally, one, and a rather small one came up. "Ah ha!" He exclaimed, pointed a finger of acknowledgement in the air and smiled. "I have one. It has been since time since I have been with one of the courtesans from the Domus Venus," Lucius admitted, not since his slave Albina or his wife had he truly indulged. The prime location was certainly well-known, desired, and if his memory served him correctly. Was home to some of the most beautiful prostitutes in the Empire. 

"And what of yourself? To do partake in their pleasures?" Lucius asked, grinned and had to wonder whether or not Tertius also regularly visited. Perhaps he had managed to find a buddy to go to the establishment with him? 

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Lucius here was a strange, but interesting man, Tertius had to admit that much to himself. He went silent though, while the other considered what to tell Tertius. If he had any secrets to spill and if any of them were good… he claimed he didn’t have any interesting secrets. Really? Wasn’t there a Metella who married into the imperial family years ago? That must have been a girl related to Lucius here, perhaps even his sister. So he had relations through his family. And he must know things, Tertius thought.

But instead the other man chose to tell Tertius that he had not slept with anyone from the Domus Venus in a while. So he was that type of man, Tertius thought to himself. And then of course the other man wondered if Teritus went there.

“I can’t say I have. I prefer to take my pleasure at home.” Tertius explained. Well there had been that once, where he went to the Gardens of Sullust with a fine courtesan from the Domus Venus, but that was still not in the brothel. He didn’t know why, he just didn’t want to go and have sex where hundreds or thousands had also gone for the same before him… but since they were spilling secrets and this was the topic that interested Lucius, Tertius leaned closer, “Did you see my body slave, Hector?” He’d brought the young and beautiful man with him tonight, but he was out there with the rest of the party for now. He had not come to explore the house with Lucius and Tertius, “He’s what pleases me most these days. Is it the same for you? Or do you have a beautiful wife at home to satisfy you?” Since he didn’t go to the Domus Venus, that might be the case. It wasn’t that Tertius disliked sleeping with women, it was just that he didn’t want another slave child. That way, it was safer with a male slave, since Tertius had no wife.

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"Ah, a homebody!" Lucius teased and nudged him. He paused, shifted closer to Tertius when he leaned closer and absolutely remembered him. He had a personal appreciation of anything the Gods had decided to bless with beauty. "I certainly have, you are quite fortunate," He answered and nodded, he indulged in handsome youths now and then. Lucius paused in thought for a moment when he was asked two questions about what his preferences were. "No, no body slave, I prefer for mine to be," He said, gestured with a questioning gesture with his hand, and shrugged. "less distracting if you catch my meaning." 

If he had Hector he would certainly find it much more difficult to get any work done. 

"No, unfortunately, I am a widow and have not since remarried yet," Lucius answered, he had his son and heir, yet was not adverse to another if a suitable bride was presented to him. "I have a household slave, Albina, who tends to some of my needs and when I desire some more variety I will go to the Domus Venus, or hire out another courtesan." Lucius added, grinned and nudged Tertius enthusiastically with his elbow. "Perhaps we can go to the Domus Venus sometime? Hm? Get you out of your home for a while." 

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Lucius teased Tertius, when he mentioned his body slave Hector and the other had of course noticed him. It was hard to not notice Hector, such a stunning young and beautiful male slave. Always clean and well-dressed and happy to tend to Tertius’ every need. Sometimes he probably spoiled Hector a little, but how couldn’t you, when he was being so good? Tertius smiled when the other called him fortunate, “I most certainly am.” Tertius was quite pleased. Hector was expensive but worth it.

The other then said he had no body slave, as that would be too distracting. And then he mentioned he was a widow and had not remarried. Tertius looked up at him, while the other continued about how one of his household slaves tended to his needs, “How interesting… I am a widow as well, and have yet to find a new and proper match for me.” Tertius said to the other with a smile and the other nudged him and suggested they went to the Domus Venus together sometime.

“Well… I have heard a lot about the place.” Tertius said, but he’d never been there himself, “Is it really that enjoyable? I have a few times hired a courtesan from the Domus Venus, but I have never been in the house.” He mused, the wine made him feel a bit more… open-minded, “Maybe, sometime. That might be… interesting.” He added with a smile and a wink to the other man.

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Lucius wished Tertius luck when it came to finding a spouse. He needed to network in order to find one of his own although there was no rush. He had his son, and did not particularly need another. But who knew what the future held? 

Lucius playfully and enthusiastically swatted at his new friend's thigh a couple of times. "Yes! There is something about being there amongst it all. Going from one pleasure to the next, one beauty from one part of the empire to another, and some of them have quite an interesting variety of pleasures." Lucius smiled in appreciation at the many memories he had at the establishment. Someday, he would take Lucius Minor there to the Domus Venus and ensure he knew what to do. He had absolutely no desire for his son to get infatuated with one of the household slaves. Hypocritical considering he had Albina as his lover yet parents often had one rule for themselves and another for their children. 

"Ah," He winked back. "So, it is a date then? We can go and get you out of the house. Go to the Domus Venus and then go to the Elysium to laugh at the men with the lesser wares." Lucius grinned with a hint of aristocratic arrogance. 

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Lucius seemed quite pleased that Tertius agreed going to the Domus Venus with him sometime. And then the other described what he thought it was like in the famed brothel, how may pleasures there were to be found and how varied they could be. Tertius shifted a bit where he lay, all this talk made him want to go and fetch Hector and hurry home to their bed. But not yet, Lucius here was actually not the worst companion, it seemed. Or maybe the wine made him more interesting. It didn’t matter. They were here, now.

The other man said it was a date and that after visiting the Venus, they’d go to the Elysium. Tertius knew about that place too – cheaper than the Domus Venus and he’d heard that the whores there matched the price too… just like with the Domus Venus, where you’d find beautiful and skilled women and men. At Elysium, they would be good looking too and maybe even more willing, because they wanted and needed the coin and whatever extra they could get out of you.

“If we’re not too exhausted.” Tertius said with a wink to the other man and downed some more wine. The jar they had brought was nearly empty, it seemed, which was a pity, “Hmm I think we need more wine.”

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Lucius laughed and firmly slapped his newfound friend's thigh with good humour.

"If we're not too exhausted? We're not grey and balding elders! I am sure we will have enough stamina," He exclaimed brightly. In fairness, his companion was right. Neither of them were youths and the workers at the Domus Venus would leave them both well satisfied. Lucius knew it was only a matter of time before he would be impacted by the effects of age. The Gods had been kind thus far. The second comment had been momentarily dismissed. Then he realised, his eyes widened and rattled the jar only to hear the tiny sounds that only a small amount was left. Clearly not enough for the pair of them. 

"Ugh.... I vote that you get us the next lot of wine," He teased, flopped back on and rested the jar between the pair of them. It awkwardly managed to stay upright, keeping the contents inside. His arms folded behind his head and he grinned. When they went on their adventure, he never expected for an invitation for further shenanigans to take place and wondered just how well they would do at the Domus Venus, and Elysium respectively. 

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Tertius gave Lucius a look – he acted like they’d been best friends in decades, when really they’d only just formally met this evening. Sure they knew of each other and sat in the Senate, but not every Senator knew the others well. You had friends and allies, of course, but you couldn’t possibly count everyone among that. Lucius here might be a good acquaintance to have though. The other joked about them not being that old yet.

“Well I suppose we will see about that… once we go.” Tertius added and then Lucius had reached for the wine once more and found that the jar was indeed becoming a tad bit too empty. Lucius wanted Tertius to go and get the next jar.

“If you think we should stay here and not rejoin the party?” He wondered, but sat up and slipped off the bed, before he reached for the wine jar. Now that his eyes had gotten used to the darkness in the room, it wasn’t so bad here, “I’ll be back in a few moments.” Tertius then promised and left the room to fetch more wine. He came to consider that he was no slave and shouldn’t be made to fetch his own wine. Luckily Hector was not far away once he came out of the dark bedchamber and he waved his favorite slave over and asked him to find a good jar of wine and bring it to the room. Hector was on the task right away and Tertius walked back to his new companion.

“Wine will come in a mom…” He was interrupted, as Hector stood behind him a moment later. Hector was a handsome youth, just 21 years old, had dirty blonde hair and handsome eyes… and underneath the fine tunica, that Tertius had given him, you could see the outlines of the well-shaped body. Tertius laughed and ran a hand through Hector’s soft hair, “Thank you, Hector… by the way, this is Lucius Caecilius Metellus. Lucius… this is my body slave, that I told you about.”

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Alcohol always made Lucius the very best friends with everyone, his snobbish personality lessened and while he was not as reckless as he had been when he was a young man. At least he had not started to sing or anything quite as embarrassing as that. It was a far cry from the man he tended to be when he was sober. 

Lucius shrugged at the question, and only half expected for Tertius to actually go and actually get more of the wine. He waved at him when he was about to leave. Lucius grumbled his gratitude and blinked a couple of times. His head became foggy and he nearly drifted off into sleep when Tertius' words alerted him. Lucius' rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand to wake himself back up. He blinked a couple of times, and noticed that Tertius had brought company with him. A rather handsome looking youth and soon it was relieved just who he was. 

"Ah yes, a pleasure, I can see why you are so fond of the youth." He said, Hector was certainly handsome and well formed. Lucius reached out with his hand and just in case thought that Tertius thought he desired Hector. "Is the wine here? And, perhaps, I should get up in case I fall asleep here and awake with a shock." Lucius asked and reached out with his hands to help to get up. 

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It was quite easy to find more wine, since Tertius had found Hector and Hector was always more than happy to help out his master. When he returned to the strange bedchamber, his new friend had almost fallen asleep there and rubbed his eyes when Tertius spoke to him. Lucius looked over Hector and complimented him, to which Hector smiled and Tertius did too. But then Lucius wanted the wine and suggested to get some of that wine. Tertius waved Hector away and gave Lucius a hand.

“Perhaps you’d be better off going home to your own bed. Do you live far from here? Else you’re welcome to have a bed in my home… I don’t live far away.” Tertius said, “I’m sure they have a litter here that we can borrow.” He said and drank a gulp from the wine, before he handed it to Lucius, “We will, after all, continue another time.” They had, after all, made a little deal about going to the Domus Venus together. He didn’t quite know how he felt about that, but the decision had been made and Tertius didn’t go back from a promise he’d made. If he had promised something, he would make it happen, as soon as possible.

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Lucius groaned as he was pulled up by Tertius and reached out to tap his newfound drinking buddy on the shoulder in gratitude.

He took a deep breath to calm himself, looked around while Tertius spoke and hoped he would be able to use from water to splash on his face. "A bed in your home?" He asked, chuckled and did not decide yet what would be best for him. He was not about to refuse more wine and readily accepted the cup, sipped it and did not hand it back over to Tertius. 

"I will travel with you. Perhaps the cold of the air will freshen us up?" He suggested, then leaned close to murmur in Tertius' ear. "We should go and offer our farewells to the host. Respectability and all that," Lucius rolled his eyes and gave a mocking dramatic sigh. There was one small issue though. In their drinking game he had gradually forgotten who the host actually was. Lucius walked and looked over his shoulder to see if Tertius will follow as they made their way back through their host's home. Many of the visitors had already left. 

"Hm... do you remember his name by any chance?" He whispered, and saw their host approach. 

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Lucius mused about having a bed in Tertius’ home, but didn’t answer yet. Instead he sat and drank more wine, before deciding to at least travel together with Tertius away from the party. And then he leaned closer to mention that they should say farewell to their host.

“We probably should do that.” Tertius said, although he didn’t know if it would matter. They’d been gone for a good part of the evening and no one had come looking for them. Not even Hector had mentioned that anyone had asked for Tertius, although he was certain that his body slave had stayed close by and knew they were leaving. So he trusted that the reason why he didn’t see Hector as they left the room, was because Hector had gone to ask for a litter for them all.

The party seemed more empty now and they soon spied the host, as he was coming towards them. What was his name again? Marcus… something. Just as Lucius had asked for the name, his mind went blank… maybe it was the wine?

“I know he’s a Marcus.” And there were so many Marcus’ in Rome, so that didn’t help much. On the other hand, the man was a senator so who’d need a name anyway? And now he was close enough.

“Senator… we wish to offer our gratitude for this impressive event.” Tertius said with his smoothest voice, “But I’m afraid… we had enough wine by now, so we will say our goodbyes.” Tertius added and looked up at Lucius, wondering if he was going to add anything to that before they were leaving. By the entrance he saw Hector waiting and he made a gesture to show he’d ensured them safe travel home.

@Brian

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