Be Our Guuuuuessst

[Beauty]

Blood mixed with water as Titus carefully rinsed his hands clean. Stepping away from the basin, he flicked his hands, spraying pellets, before a slave came running to him with a cloth to dry his hands.

“Stop your moaning,” said Titus as if someone else’s pain bore him, dabbing his hands gently with the cloth. “If he says he wants to fuck you with a club, you let him. So long as he pays me, you will spread your legs and let him do as he pleases.”

His fist spoke a thousand words, the woman wouldn’t displease another customer again. Titus was the heart of the place, his workers much like his veins and arteries, keeping the establishment’s blood pumping. Any faulty on his workers’ part was a faulty on his.

Without another word, he left the room into the greater brothel. The Elysium was alive, candle lights were flickering in its dark, winding corridors and the familiar sounds of desire sang through the air like travelling music. Soon, his eyes fell on a man. Titus’ hand fell and slapped the butt-cheek of a wandering prostitute, ordering her to gather a number men and women for display in one of the rooms.

Pacing towards the man with confidence, his lips upturned into a welcoming smile, the sides of his eyes crinkled in a joyful manner but his eyes were as empty as death itself. “Good evening,” he said, slapping two hands together. “What are you hoping for today? We have a number of girls and boys, young and fresh from past the Erytraen Sea, should that interest you. But, of course, you are welcome to choose your pick. I’ll have you know that we offer all kinds of services here at the Elysium, it’s the only place in Rome that allows your greatest, most wicked desires to come true.” And with that, he offered the man a wink. “And all for a decent price.” 

@Atrice

Edited December 31, 2019 by Beauty

[Atrice]

Marcus had no wife and had no intentions of taking a wife. Why should he? Heirs didn’t matter to him. He had his own fortune, of course, but so far, he was the only one needing it. Marcus had made a name for himself in Rome and he was going to keep it – and keep it his own. Besides, a wife would interfere with his daily routine and probably annoy him. He would end up beating her to keep her silent and meek and then she would not be useful anyway. So he had no wife. He had his slaves at home, of course, and he sometimes satisfied himself with them, but he also didn’t mind going out. Even a man like Marcus had needs and some things were better kept away from his property.

He stepped into one of Rome’s most long-lasting but also cheapest brothels. He didn’t need the fancy Domus Venus… no… Elysium would be better suited for a man like him. He knew that as long as he paid for it, he could do whatever he pleased with the whores of this house. There were candles lit and the walls would have to be thin, you could hear everything. Desire and pleasure and maybe even pain? He stood for a few moments, looking around in the great entrance room, when a dark-haired man approached him and greeted him with a welcoming smile. That would be Titus, the owner. Marcus knew the name. The man would know what Marcus was looking for and promised him all his desires would come true.

“I know that as long as you pay for it, you can do anything here. Or, that is what I heard.” Marcus replied to the man. To be honest, Marcus didn’t quite know what he was hoping for… he just wanted release. Satisfaction. He looked around for a moment and then his eyes landed on Titus again, “I take it you want your whores ready to work tomorrow too though. So I need someone who will not give me any trouble.” Or else he feared he’d get sick of them and they would not be able to work tomorrow – because they would be dead. “Tell me… what or who would you recommend?”

@Beauty

[Beauty]

He listened intently to the man, trying to garner what type of man he was dealing with. He doubted the man was indecisive, rather he didn’t know perhaps how to translate his desires into the real world. Titus was much the same, he believed. He liked all women, all men. Tall, fat, short, old, young. He was always wanting but nothing seemed to compare to the one depraved fantasy he had. It was about making the illusion into a reality. A side smile made itself onto Titus’ face, catching that the man was someone dangerous. Someone who would harm another should they become cross.

“I would prefer them to work, yes, but I am sure arrangements could be made,” he said before extending his arm for the man to follow him and Titus began to walk. “But what I recommend might not be what you need or want.” As he walked, he took to elaborating, waving his hands to emphasise his words. “I want to make sure you get what you want and need so that your experience here is paramount. As such, I have prepared a showing. I’ll have my best brought specifically to you for display. There are some that specialise in the darker and more violent side of sex, and others who will engage in pretend and play.”

He wanted the man to know that whatever fantasy, desire he had, the Elysium would bend backwards to make it a reality. He came to a door and pushed it open, allowing the man to enter first. Inside were whores lined up, all naked and silent, all of many different ages, heights, sizes and the likes. There was wine and fruits laid out for the customer.

“After you,” he said, waiting at the door.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Titus here was certainly interesting too. He noticed how the other seemed very focused on Marcus and keen to hear what he wanted, so that he could provide the best for Marcus. That was a good trait in a man, he thought. Titus could do with a shave, he thought next. Maybe he could get a discount on the whore if he, in return, gave a discount on a shave. Meanwhile the other man smiled at Marcus’ words and then said that arrangements could be made. Marcus tilted his head in a curious fashion, really? He followed Titus further into the establishment and of course the other had a showing that Marcus could take a look at.

“I just want someone who will let me do as I please with them. No matter what pleases me.” You never knew. Marcus never left his home without a razor on his person, after all. But he didn’t tell that part, instead he followed Titus as the other opened a door into a room where all shapes and sizes and genders of whores were lined up. Marcus looked them over. He didn’t even know if he wanted a man or a woman yet. Just something. Someone. Maybe someone who would fear him…

“Who is the newest among these?” Marcus then asked, someone experienced wouldn’t be much fun and if he was going to pay for it, he wanted it to be good.

@Beauty

[Beauty]

“I suppose the question now isn’t what will please you but who will please you,” he said, sitting down on a chair, he then gestured for the man to sit down as well. After all, this was no more a show than what one might find with actors and actresses. Titus took a hold of one of the cups swirled it as he listened to the man speak. “Ah, perhaps you might find Amita to be the woman of your longings.”

He gestured with his hand for dark-skinned woman to come forward and she did. She was young and hardly clothes, she moved seductively before the two men before stopping right before Marcus. With a spin of his finger, Amita spun around for the man. She was smiling, perhaps because she knew what would happen if she didn’t.

“One of our newest additions, bred and born in India. Amita is a docile creature,” he said as the woman posed in various positions. “Pleasant, submissive yet eager to be taken by someone, perhaps forcefully. She is just a girl but she will need someone to make her into a woman.” His eyes looked to the other man, studying him. “Or would you prefer a man. How about Heliodorus? A towering, handsome Greek.” A handsome men paced forwards, golden hair, and strong features. He moved behind Marcus and began to massage him.

“Heliodorus is one of Elysium’s most experienced, he can perform both penetrative and receptive sex,” he continued casually as if he were merely speaking about the weather. “Worried about someone who talks too much? Look no further, the man lacks a tongue, ripped out in the heat of battle, so they say. Neither tickle your fancy? Well, I have plenty more in stock and questions are welcome…”

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Marcus sat down when invited to do so, while his eyes wandered over the display of bodies in front of him. Look at them, they were all so soft and smooth and they were completely under Titus’ and Marcus’ control. They could not complain and could not speak up. If they did, it would be worst for them. Good thing he would never experience such a thing, nobody would tell Marcus what to do. Titus suggested a dark-skinned young woman called Amita, who now strutted out in front of them. Marcus reached out to run a hand over her bottom when she spun around, but then shook his head. She was pretty, but… eager? That did not sound like so much fun.

Then Titus suggested a male and a tall man stepped up and began to massage Marcus. He arched a brow, he had not told this Heliodorus to massage him. But Titus continued to praise him. Marcus pushed the hands off his shoulders.

“No…” He said, “I apologize if I am hard to please. Maybe I need to think a little. You see, I do have my own slaves at home and they can give me massage if I need that. I don’t need someone like that.” Marcus explained, “I suppose what I need is something I do not have at home. I asked for someone new. Maybe a slave that is barely broken yet? I could lend a… hand, in that.” He added with a small smile and looked at Titus, “Not that I don’t think you can handle it, I am sure you can, but I really wouldn’t mind.”

@Beauty

[Beauty]

Titus gave Heliodoros a stern look and the slave backed off. What the beautiful youth had done wasn’t enough to incite a beating, let alone a scolding, but it was enough for him to wave a hand and dismiss him immediately. He turned to the man, listening carefully, trying to gauge how to exactly traverse this man. Some men were simpler to read than others.

“No need to apologise,” said Titus, waving a hand as if it was nothing. But deep down Titus did worry about losing a potential customer, particularly one that, for once, unlike some weren’t riddled in dung and whatever other filth the lower classes had on them when coming into his establishment. Cheap prices brought all kinds of men in, that much was for certain. Happy customers became loyal customers and loyal customers kept the coin mounds growing.

“I will have Eutropia go and quickly bring in our latest additions,” he said, turning to one of the slaves, a woman, and nodded his head. One by one the slaves left, pouring out of the room, perhaps sighing in relief. “All new, not yet worked, trained or, as you say, broken in. And you can most certainly lend a hand in that, in any way that you wish. Tell me, what do your desires look like? You may speak openly if you want to, the gods know I won’t judge.”

He certainly didn’t. It took a sick man to let others like him or worse to do as they pleased with his prostitutes.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Marcus saw the look Titus gave the slave, who had attempted to give Marcus a massage, but it didn't worry him at all - the gaze Titus gave the slave. It was only right to let the slave know they should not take liberties. He didn't need that and he did not need a massage. And really if he wanted sex he could also get it at home. But his slaves knew him... and he wanted someone who did not know him or what to expect. Someone who would be real with him, who would not work hard to please him but someone who would be genuinely surprised by how he handled them. Titus said Marcus did not have to apologize and then made sure another worker would bring the latest and newest slaves.

"I don't really have a certain... type." Marcus confessed, when Titus wondered what his desires were like, "Gender is not important. As long as they will leave me satisfied, I don't care what's between their legs." He said, "I am sure you will have someone that will please me. Now, while we wait..." He trailed off, "I want to discuss the price and payment with you. You see, I'm a barber and I would be more than happy to provide you a discount - if you return the favor here, of course. My fine home and the shop is on the small Aventine, in the subura there." He gave one of his odd smiles to the other man, wondering what he would think about that. 

@Beauty

[Beauty]

Titus nodded his head as the man spoke. There were some people who delved deeply into preferences, sometimes boring Titus and other times entertaining him the way one of Landicus’ poems might, but rarely ever shocking him, and then there were those who simply stared and said nothing. But the man’s words were in a healthy medium, neither too curt nor too detailed.

Titus’ attention was peaked when the man mentioned “price” and “payment”. It was noticeable in the way he stirred, turning his body ever so slightly to face the other and there was, of course, a smile on his face. To appear all the more friendly now that money was being discussed. He was asking for a discount. Normally only reserved such a favour when he saw fit and this was one of them. He’d be receiving less money but the more loyal a man, the more it would add in time.

“I do need to shave quite often and the price does accumulate,” he said. His slaves could do the job but Titus did prefer the work of professionals, it looked better and in that vein, a discount sounded perfect. “And I can appreciate another man of business. Very well, you have my interest. In return, I will keep some of Elysium’s newest whores reserved for you and you can do with them as you like for as long as you like.” Anything to keep a man coming to Elysium and no other brothel.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Honestly it was nice to speak to someone who did not judge. Not that most people said anything to Marcus' preferences, they did not comment, but he felt he knew what they were thinking. Slaves were just slaves, there for your use and your pleasure and if you lost one, they could be replaced. He had not yet had a slave who was not replaceable. And it was nice to meet someone who seemed to think the same thing. 

While they waited for some new slaves to be brought in, Marcus decided to discuss the payment and the idea of a discount with the other man. Titus turned to face him more and he even smiled, saying that he did need a shave often and did not seem to mind the idea of a discount for a discount. 

At Titus' words, he received another smile from Marcus, "That is very generous of you, my good man." Marcus said, "Then I will make sure in return to have the finest tools ready for you, when you visit my shop. And my tools are completely untouched by slaves." He added with a smile and looked up as the door opened again and a new row of slaves entered. His eyes moved over every one of them, wondering who would be most submissive and most afraid. And most likely to give him a real reaction rather than an act.

@Beauty

[Beauty]

Aventine, in the subura, Titus made kept that in mind and “completely untouched by slaves” got his attention peaked, nodding his head to show his interest. There were only a few things slaves were good for just like women, he thought. Submission, sex and beating when they didn’t want either. Most of all, they were good for acting like his eyes and ears around Rome.

The new set of slaves arrived, the door opening caught his attention. Titus was wondering how long they would take to come but it seemed that they had come promptly and without question. Those entering looked fearful, some shaking, others quiet and blank. Titus rarely ever slept with his workers, his sister often told him it wasn’t good to “shit where you eat”, or something to that effect, but there was sometimes no helping, especially the darker haired girls who arrived. For boys, dark wigs and gowns would do, emasculating them. Whatever the man didn’t take, perhaps Titus would. Just this one time.

“I won’t say a thing, I’ll let their bodies do the talking,” said Titus before turning to snap his fingers harshly at his workers from where he sat, one leg folded over the other and his other hand holding his cup. “Strip,” he barked at them. Immediately they all began to shed their clothes. “Do you see any to your liking?” He turned his attention to the man, curious.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

It was good they had discussed the idea of a discount while they had the chance. Because now a row of slaves entered and they pulled his attention away from Titus and towards the new slaves. They had that fearful look in their eyes, some of them. They were shivering, although it wasn't even that cold. Titus then said he'd let their bodies do the talking and then folded his legs and asked the slaves to strip. They began to shed their clothes, some faster than others and Marcus stood and approached them. 

One of the girls stopped when he did that. Her upper body was bare now, but besides the simple chiton she also wore a strip of leather as a belt and the chiton was being kept up by that. It didn't fall down around her feet yet. Marcus looked at her, "I thought he told you to strip." He said and she fiddled with the knot of the belt. She was so scared, but all Marcus saw was a slave who did not do as told. It would displease Titus... so it would displease Marcus.

He walked around her and caught her wrists with his hands to make her stop trying to open that knot. He moved her hands away and slid his hands around her body then, to easily untie the belt. The chiton fell and she stood naked in front of him. She shivered against his body and his own desire for her began to stir. 

"I'll have this one." Marcus then said as he looked over her head at Titus, "Show me where I can take her." 

 @Beauty

[Beauty]

Like a curious cat, Titus’ eyes followed the other man as he got to his feet and walked to them. It was Titus’ belief that one could tell a lot about someone based on how they behaved and so it was in Titus’ interest that to watch. He simply sat back in his chair, allowing for the interaction between the man and his new whore to take place. The young woman did not shed her clothes as he had asked her to and who knew what her reasons were but she was likely uncomfortable.

Whatever Titus felt about the girl or the situation, he didn’t express it on his face but allowed the man to do as he pleased. After all, he was right. Titus had asked her to strip and as it stood, the man could do whatever he wanted because he was going to pay.

The girl’s fiddling stopped and her chiton fell to the floor. Titus swirled his cup and drank the rest of his wine. “Very good,” he said, smiling widely, setting down the cup and heading towards the door for the man and the whore to follow. “Do you have any preferences for the room? Or would any room do?” He was already heading in the direction of one of the more cleaner, lavishly decorated rooms but some men were pickier than others so he asked just to make sure.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Marcus was not really picky when it came to which room he wanted to take this girl at... the village he grew up in was not all that wealthy, but after he came to Rome and gained some fortune because of his good work, he had become more used to clean and nice rooms. Still though, he knew this was not the Domus Venus and didn't ask for that. So it was interesting that Titus wanted to know if he had any preferences.

"As long as it is comfortable and clean enough and I will have her on my own... it will be fine." Marcus said and motioned at the whore to follow him, while he caught up with Titus. He knew the other man had probably watched him intently while Marcus examined the girl he had picked, but it didn't matter. Marcus had come to the Elysium because he knew they allowed tehir patrons to take more liberties than they did at finer brothels. And as long as Titus did not ask personal questions, Marcus was fine. 

"Do you want the payment before or after?" He asked on the way, glancing over his shoulder to make sure the now naked and probably nervous whore followed them. She was just a slave though, most whores in the brothels were. It wasn't like she had a choice. And if she thought she did, he could not promise he would treat her well at all. Not when he couldn't in the first place.

@Beauty

[Beauty]

Titus nodded as the man spoke and the whore girl picked up her pace, following the two men who she was at the mercy to. She was unhappy, this Titus could tell, but there was nothing Titus could do about it. Slavery had existed before her and well after her, it would continue whether he partook in its formation or not. But he certainly benefitted from it and so he took all opportunities he could make off of slaves grasping tightly with both hands.

“After should be fine,” said Titus with a nod, ignoring how the slave’s eyes watered or how she looked despondent. “You have your enjoyments first and then we’ll talk price.” They’d mentioned a discount, Titus hadn’t forgotten about it. They were nearing a free room and Titus could feel the tension building within the whore girl as he soon stopped before a door.

Titus would have taken the time to take a whore of his own, free of charge, but he didn’t usually like the idea of whoring while working. He preferred to keep his person separate from his workplace where he needed a completely different persona. There was watching his patron and whore from behind the wall but that depended on his own curiosity, there was many to spy on from the shadows.

He opened the door and gestured for the two to enter, whore and man. “I should be simple to find should any issues arise,” said Titus, a smile still painted on his lips. “I trust you will handle the delicate flower well.” The man by now likely knew he was free to do as he pleased. Titus only cared about what coin landed in his coffers.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Marcus too knew the young girl and slave behind them was uncomfortable. The way she was spoken to and the way she was handled by him before, was enough. She was new and fresh, Titus had promised that. That is what Marcus wanted, after all. He wanted it to be real with her, he didn't want some whore who knew exactly what to say and do and when to perform. Marcus didn't like people pretending before him. And this one, she probably didn't even know what it was. But she was also a slave and she would have to learn somehow, what life was like when you were a slave and how you were supposed to behave. And Marcus would teach her a lesson or two.

Titus said that payment afterwards would be fine and they would discuss the price afterwards. Then they were finally at a free room and Titus opened the door and Marcus entered first and waited for the girl. The friendly host said he trusted Marcus to handle her well and he nodded.

"I doubt any issues will arise. I'm sure she will be very obliging." Marcus said, "I'll find you later concerning the payment." He added and then waited for Titus to leave him and the girl alone. Her eyes were wide and blank as she stared at him and he sighed, as if it irritated him.

"You haven't learned anything yet, have you? First thing... lower your eyes." Marcus ordered and she did as told, "Good. Now, move to the bed. Have you been with a man before?" He wondered and while she climbed onto the simple bed, she shook her head, too afraid to speak. Marcus just nodded again, "Good." And with that, he would remove his tunica and the undergarments and follow her to the bed. He didn't care if Titus was watching, it didn't matter. He was the owner, after all. Marcus was just the patron, about to let this girl give him a good time. Something she most likely would not experience tonight.

@Beauty

[Beauty]

 

Titus gave the man a nod, a smile still on his face, never leaving. After all, he was a businessman, smiles meant friendliness. No one would buy from a man who frowned. Everything he did was in the name of money. With that he turned on his heels, eyeing the young slave girl who gave him a look of pleading, before he closed the door. Titus hadn’t seen most of the earlier exchange as he wandered through his brothel, its walls and floors familiar like the back of his hand. It did tickle his mind to find his sister but he was curious about the man he’d just met. Something about him separated him from some of his other customers.

Sometimes hiding and watching gave him a good indicator into what men liked, it allowed him to cater to their needs and milk more money out of them. There were times he didn’t bother, some men were far too easy to read. Needless to say, Titus couldn’t wait to see what the man had up his sleeve.

And so, he travelled to a room which lay next to the one he’d left the whore and man in. It was a quiet, private room, similar to others spread out throughout the brothel, and this one had a means for him to look into the actions of some of his customers. It was then he could see the others plainly as if in broad daylight. The candles in the room were dim but was enough for him to see. By this point in time, her tunica was on the floor and the young girl was on the bed, naked, and staring at the ceiling above her unhappily, fighting the tears in her eyes. She wasn’t daring to look at the man. She had learned to be obedient, that was good, thought Titus.

She lay there, fearful, despondent, and waiting. A normal person would have felt something, pity for the girl, disgust perhaps, but not Titus, he would use the weak and voiceless if it meant he would get money out of it.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Marcus was pleased enough with the girl actually getting onto the bed when he told her to. And he was also pleased that she told him she had not been with a man before. Not that it was something he really desired - deflowering girls in brothels - but she had a lot to learn and he would be the first to teach her anything at all. When he climbed onto the bed, she stared at the ceiling. Marcus sat next to her, sighed. 

"It is going to hurt. But if you don't..." He didn't finish his sentence, because she suddenly then looked at him, "Please don't. I don't want to." She said and he sighed again, rolled his eyes and he put a finger over her lips, letting her know that she should stop talking, "That means nothing to me. You're here to do whatever I tell you to do. And if you try and fight back, it will hurt more than it has to." Marcus told her. He was being kind to her, actually. He was telling her what to do and what not to do. She had a lot to learn indeed and while she was so far obedient, asking him to not sleep with her would not make it better.

"If I don't do what I want, someone else will. So... spread your legs." Marcus said and she did as told, seeming to understand that he was telling her the truth. Still, there was one thing that annoyed him a little bit, "And stop crying." Not that he knew if she would, but he hoped that she would. Else he would have to turn her around, of course some men were turned on by tears and he bet such men came to the Elysium too, but he was not such a man. 

There was no pleasure in it for her. He wasn't even that rough - but he wasn't gentle either. Marcus got his release and since she couldn't stop her tears or the pained whimpers, he did have to turn her face away from himself while he took advantage of her warm and youthful body and all that he could do to it. Not that it took so long though, before he was finished. And once he was done, he didn't want to stay in the bed and talk. He was definitely not that kind of man. Instead he stood and put on his clothes properly again. She still lay on the bed, on her stomach, face turned away from him. Well that was not very pleasing either.

Marcus walked over to her, crouched on the floor next to the bed, "Be glad you're not my slave to keep. I would not tolerate such behavior at home. Know that many of your future clients won't either. They will want you to look at them. And they will want you to smile. I'll go find your master and let him know you're done for now." And with that, he left the room to look for Titus. She had been pleasing enough to him, but the tears annoyed him a little. Hopefully she would learn to hide them better in the future. For her own sake.

@Beauty

Edited December 31, 2019 by Atrice

[Beauty]

He liked knowing things about other people, their secrets, and he liked having the power to use that to manipulate things in order to gain. But with this man, it was curiosity. It was good to be curious. The more information one had, the better. There was certainly a dark side to this man, something that could be of use to him in the future perhaps. But it was like staring at a ghost.

By the time the man would find Titus, he was in a room tossing grapes into his mouth like he hadn’t just watched a man bring pain to a young woman, new to the world of slavery and prostitution. He turned to face the other man, displaying a smile on his face as if unaware of what went on.

“How was she?” he said. He’d seen enough to know how it went but it was still difficult to get inside this man’s head. An interesting challenge. “Some women cry too much, others fight back too much.” He placed another grape in his mouth, chewed and swallowed. “Do have some grapes, they’re quite fresh.” Again, as if he’d not just seen a man give a woman no modicum of pleasure. There was no real emotion to his voice despite his words. “Anyways, I find the reactions interesting the first time. It’s all real, especially when there’s pain and blood.”

Titus wasn’t completely a sadist, nor did he exactly believe what he said, but wanted to test if the man was anything like how his brother had been. Violent, horrific and unable to be restrained.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Marcus had not come here for romance or for the pretense of it. He'd come here for release with someone who wouldn't fake their reaction with him, because if there was something he didn't like, it was people being fake with him. Especially slaves. But the whore he had, there was nothing fake about her. She didn't want to be a whore, but here she was and if he did not bed her and become her first, someone else would and they might treat her worse. Not that Marcus was very gentle, but he also wasn't very rough. He just wanted satisfaction and in the end, that's what he got from her. 

Afterwards, he went searching for Titus and found him in a room eating grapes, as if he had been doing nothing else while Marcus took the girl. Titus smiled at him and Marcus arched a brow; recent thoughts of pretense came to mind, but he knew that Titus was pretending, because he was also a businessman. Just like Marcus. And such people knew when to smile and when to be serious. Titus was curious about the girl and also offered grapes to Marcus, who sat down on a nearby chair and did pick up a grape to taste one, while the other talked.

"She was as expected. It's interesting how they always think they have a say in what happens, in the beginning. But they'll learn. I think she learned now, what being a slave in a place like this means." Marcus replied, "She didn't really fight, but she tried to tell me to not sleep with her. Anyway..." He looked at Titus, "Do you want the shave today or are you too busy at the moment?" He didn't look very busy, tossing grapes into his mouth, but it was always worth asking, wasn't it? 

@Beauty

[Beauty]

If the girl hadn’t learned then she was a dull one. Titus could have taught the girl her place in the world, in his brothel, himself but it was simpler for another to do so, whether they wished to teach her for a reason of their own or their actions just so happened to. Titus offered the man a smile at his recollection of what had happened between him and the girl, Titus had seen it all but had to pretend he hadn’t.

Titus took another grape and chewed, his eyes wandered on thought before settling on the man and then nodded. “I could do with a shave,” he said, hair was growing already and it’d been two days since he’d last had a shave. With his dark hair, the hair was very noticeable. It made him look a little chaotic but with a man of his profession and inner thoughts, it was as though it showed his inside.

“I’m sure I can have others overlook my business while I’m gone,” he said. Aside from his nephew, sister and the whores who’d been there the longest, he had two trusted guards in his brothel to make sure that none of the men got too rowdy and to pay, if that was the case. If not then, at least, to get word out onto the streets about it. News of scandal and brutality kept the Elysium ripe in the minds of the people.  

He picked up a nearby wine to wash down his snacking. “And I don’t believe you told me your name yet,” said Titus, then taking a quick swig before placing the cup down.

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Release and satisfaction had been had and it was now time to consider payment and whether Titus would want his shave now or some other time. Titus tried so hard to seem casual, didn't he? Marcus watched him eat the grapes. Titus must also like luxury, he thought to himself. He wanted to appear as if he was more than he was. Not just a simple brothel owner. But he said nothing and Titus agreed on the shave now.

"If that is your wish." Marcus said with a smile to the other man, while Titus mused about how others could look after his business while he was gone, "I'm sure you have some very capable workers here to look after it all." He added. Titus didn't get up just yet, he picked up wine and drank some. Again confirming Marcus' thoughts of him. Titus wanted a name.

"Marcus Barbatius. I also serve wealther clients, but I am always open to new deals being made." He offered and then he stood, there was no reason to linger, he thought... "Please join me on my way back home to my shop, then." He said and waited politely for Titus to stand once more. Hopefully this would be a useful acquaintance to have. 

@Beauty

[Beauty]

While most of the time he might have remained at the brothel to monitor or see to any issues and needs, Titus stood up, washing down the grapes with some wine. He headed towards Marcus and decided he was well worth his time, considering “wealthier clients”. Perhaps they could come up with some form of partnership, it’d need a little creative thinking but nothing was unattainable to Titus. “New deals” made Titus’ ear twitch like a hunting hound. Those were things that they could talk of while they walked, if not then later, perhaps over a dinner with good company, assuming now they’d be seeing a lot of each other. With wealthy clients and new deals, Titus certainly hoped so.

“My sister and her son will look after the business,” said Titus, waving a hand. He was sure his sister and nephew knew the rules and what to do in his absence. As far as he knew, the Elysium would one day be his nephew’s, if not then someone who paid him well for it. Titus wasn’t going to retire without a bang. Titus was unmarried and had no children of his own. He wouldn’t marry unless he saw an advantage.

“Should you have any men in your family in need of the Elysium’s unique services, do not hesitate to let me know and I could provide the right treatment for them,” said Titus, offering a smile as he began to walk, exiting the room they were in. He wanted to keep himself relevant for a man with wealthier clients and his associates. “And I’ll let my nephew know about your business. He’s a man now.” The boy had grown up around whores, in any case. His grandmother, his sister’s mother, was a whore too and Titus had slept with her. “Do tell me, Marcus Barbatius, do you enjoy gladiatorial games?”

@Atrice

[Atrice]

Marcus did not see himself as an anti-social kind of person. He was just different from most and wanted things done in a certain way. And few seemed to understand that. But together with a brothel owner like Titus, he actually felt a little more relaxed, because he thought the other man might understand him at least a little bit. He was fascinated to see reactions of others; reactions to what he did to them. And Titus was interesting to watch too.

The other man wanted to come with Marcus today and have his shave, so Marcus would have plenty more time to watch Titus and decide what he thought of him. Together the two left teh brothel and Titus said his sister and her son would look after the business. Then he began to suggest Marcus' relatives coming to the Elysium.
"There's no other men in my family." Marcus said and added, just to make sure Titus wouldn't ask him again, because it wouldn't be very useful, "I have no family."

There, now he knew, now he would not ask again. Marcus' entirely family was dead; he made sure of that, actually. That Titus did not need to know. Meanwhile the other also said he'd inform his nephew about Marcus' business and wondered if Marcus enjoyed gladiatorial games.

"Your nephew is welcome at my establishment too, of course. Sometimes I enjoy the games." But not all the time. Honestly and of course, it was when there were executions he was most interested. He was interested in knowing why those people had to die and how it was going to be done. He rarely watched for the sake of the fight. That didn't mean he looked down on other people who did... "Do you enjoy such things?" 

@Beauty

[Beauty]

 

Titus’ head turned in curiosity. They were all dead then. Most of Titus’ was as well, dying one by one like flies, and good riddance to them all, he thought. The last of his family was his younger half-sister and her spawn. The man hadn’t mentioned wife or children either. But what was a man without his family? Family was everything in Rome, continuing one’s legacy or keeping nicely secured in the food chain.

“Well, friends then,” said Titus briefly. The other man must have had those, if not then business associates and the like. There was nothing better in the world of business than networking and connections. It brought more opportunities and money pouring in. A man like Titus couldn’t complain about that. All he needed in life was tits, ass and his coffers.

He tapped his chin in thought, not out of habit but because it was an almost theatrical display of the fact he was thinking over Marcus’ question. “I do,” he admitted. “I like the thrill and suspension of the games. You never know who is going to come out on top, that’s what keeps me invested. Besides, some of the men and women are quite the lookers. There is nothing more appealing than rattling breasts and a man’s tight ass as they fight for survival.” Except money, perhaps. But it was tied.

@Atrice