Here? Really?

[Sara]

Longinus smiled at the thought of his father doing anything other than flustering and swearing at the sight of the great big brute of the savage. He loved his father dearly, but leadership skills seemed to have skipped a generation. As the conversation moved on and Titus started to tell his own story. He couldn't hide his surprise and spluttered a choked laugh, eyes wide with shock and outrage. Whilst, obviously, completely indecent as it was he imagined it was not the first time something such as this had happened. Given legionaries hadn't the ability to marry and the camp followers were of...poor quality, it was to be expected. It didn't make it any better, however. 

"Oh yes, do tell." Longinus grinned and then straightened his mouth, trying not to laugh for the poor barber's sake. He hadn't really a sense of just how stern a legate Titus was. He'd missed that part of his life, whereas his friend had been in full view of his own turn in glory. 

 

TAG: @Liv @Atrice

[Liv]

"There's not a lot to tell," he started, looking at Longinus with some confusion. He knew how that sort of thing was handled, why act like a whore pretending to be a virgin? Barbatius' curiosity was quite natural, and if any of the man's slaves were eager to know how the story ended, they hid it very well. "Anyway," he shrugged, "demotion to centurion for the prefect, for being stupid enough to get caught." In addition to having lost his rank and prestige, the man's pay had also gone down by an order of magnitude, but as a peregrinus, his punishment did not need to be especially severe.

The legionary, on the other hand, had been a citizen - and, worst of all, on the receiving end of the act. "And fustuarium for the legionary." Titus had not particularly enjoyed giving the order, but lack of discipline was the mortal enemy of any legion and the gods be damned if he was going to let it settle in its midst. Fear kept men alert and fighting fit better than excess camaraderie. It occurred to him that Barbatius, being a civilian, would likely not know what that meant, so he felt the need to provide a succinct, matter-of-fact summary. "That means being beaten to death with sticks." Sure, they could try to escape, but most never managed to. That one hadn't.

And now he had probably killed that easy-going mood they had managed to create, since everyone had gone as quiet as the barber's slaves.

@Atrice @Sara

[Atrice]

Of course Marcus would love to hear the end of the story Rufus had begun to tell. And while he understood that there had been some indecensy going on, Marcus was not so shocked. Maybe he should have been, but he had not served. No, what interested him far more was of course hearing how it did not end well for the prefect and the legionary. He wanted to hear about the punishmen. Longinus seemed amused for some reason, but also wanted to hear more about it and silence fell while Rufus was allowed to talk again.

First he claimed there was not much to tell, but Marcus arched a brow, as if he did not believe it. Then the other continued, saying the prefect had simply been demoted... but the legionary had gone thruogh a fustuarium, which Marcus of course knew what was. He was always curious when it came to ways to inflict pain on others, so although he had not served, he knew this part. Rufus explained anyway though, what it meant. If Rufus thought he'd killed the mood, he was sorely mistaken. The slaves were as quiet as always and he had managed to get Marcus' attention.

"I know what it means." Marcus said and focused on a moment on Longinus, finishing the last few strokes with the razor, "There you go, smooth as a baby's butt." He said with a smile to Longinus and with a cloth he wiped off the eccess oil from Longinus' face. Then he looked up at Rufus again, interested, "Did he die from it? Or is it a very ordinary kind of punishment, that means they can go on with their duties afterwards? Apologies for the questions, but I am always interested in learning more about how our empire and the defense of it, works." 

@Sara @Liv

[Sara]

Longinus arched a brow. The man didn't look like he'd served as an auxiliary but he wouldn't put it past him. He also didn't want to consider the notion that he knew what fustuarium was any other way. He smiled at the man though, graciously, as he finished and wiped the excess oil from his face. With a sigh he stood up and moved to look at himself in the small mirror in the shop. He ran a hand over his jaw and then through his freshly cropped hair. He looked like a different man and it surprised him. And although not vain by any stretch of the imagination, he had to admit a bit of stubble on his chin looked better, more mature. Not that he was about to tell the barber, or Titus that. 

He clicked his fingers at the docile young slave and asked; "Wine." Which he took gratefully with an inclination of his head and took a deep sip. 

Turning towards Titus, back to Marcus he grinned and arched a brow. "Yes, what happened to him?" He knew full well what happened but he wanted to highlight the oddness of this interaction and this place (and this man). Continuing, he glanced back between Marcus and Titus. "Time for your haircut and shave Titus?" He grinned, self-satisfied.

 

TAG: @Liv @Atrice

[Liv]

Things had just taken a turn for the bizarre, Titus thought to himself as he too raised a brow, not quite knowing what to make of Barbatius's apparent curiosity. The man knew of the punishment but not when it was called upon or its consequences? The brief suggestion that he might have served in an auxiliary attachment was quickly dispelled, for his questions made no sense if that had been the case.

He tried his best to keep his expression neutral as he answered, but a hint of apprehension might have seeped through. "Uh, he did die, so that was the end of his duties for him." Titus still wasn't sure how capital punishment related to the defence of the empire for a civilian, and his confusion was starting to show, but at the same time it wasn't like the topic was a military secret, so he had no good reason to suddenly grow shy. "But they can attempt to escape. If they succeed, they won't be chased, but then it's like they're exiled. Can't go back home, can't stay with their legion... I suppose it's a bit like being a fugitive slave." Subconsciously he glanced at Barbatius' slaves, the quiet young woman and the equally silent assistant. "It's a serious punishment," he added gravely, "it's not like we dish it out every time someone dallies at breakfast."

Longinus was at last done looking more presentable. It was rather amazing how much more respectable he looked with a clean-shaven face and hair of an acceptable length - now the wife hunt could proceed in earnest. "A job well done, as usual," he praised the barber, at the same time giving his friend a thumbs-up. And now it was his turn, though it was more maintenance than anything as neither facial nor head hair required as much attention as Longinus' had. He abandoned his post by the doorway and went to occupy the seat the other senator had just vacated, secretly looking forward to a bit of pampering, fresh-smelling oils and all.

"The usual for me," he told Barbatius, looking up. By that Titus meant getting rid of a 5 o'clock shadow and a regular haircut.

@Atrice @Sara

[Atrice]

Marcus had not served in any army at all... he simply had an interest in ways to inflict pain onto others, in a lot of different forms. He might not use them himself, but it was always useful learning about such things. So he had heard tales about fustuarium, and knew what it was, but was curious to see how it ended for the person on the receiving end of it. Meanwhile he finished shaving Longinus, considering this a very good conversation and topic too. Longinius smiled and stood and looked in the single mirror Marcus had in the shop - and he seemed satisfied enough. Longinus asked Aculia for wine and she quickly brought if or him, then returned to her place in the doorway. 

Rufus explained that the legionary receiving the harsh punishment had died - what a pity for him, Marcus thought. Wasn't it a bit stupid to give such bad punishments for your military men, that they died from that instead of from a battle. Then they would not be useful for the battle, after all. But it was not his place to ask questions about such things, since he had not served. Rufus continued saying people could escape, and if they did, they would be exiled and live more or less like fugitive slaves. Rufus added that it was a serious and not very common punishment. Marcus nodded, "That makes sense. If you dealt it out too often, the empire would grow very slowly, would it not?" He said with an amused tone, thinking about all the dead soldiers who could have fought battles instead of dying in the camp. 

Marcus smiled again, when Rufus complimented his skills at shaving Longinus and then he took a place in the chair for his usual service from the barber. 

"Of course, Senator." Marcus said and wiped excess oil off the razor too, "Would you like a scented oil too - orange, or perhaps another?" He asked Rufus. It would be easiest if Rufus would want the same as Longinus, since the oil had already been prepared, but of course, it was not up to Marcus to make the decisions for such fine men. He hoped Longinus was satisfied enough too to return another time. Quietly he began combing some water into Rufus' hair to prepare it for the haircut.

@Sara @Liv

 

[Sara]

Longinus took up Titus' post and lent languidly against the doorframe to the shop, absently running a hand over his freshly shaved jaw. 

He really had minor interest as it was in the intricacies of shaving and grooming when it was himself undergoing it, let alone when it came to Titus' own shave. Instead, he let his eyes wander around the shop dispassionately, noting the neatness and order - nothing was out of place and aside the noise from the street it was eerily quiet. He thought to himself that he'd never quite been somewhere like this before. His eyes fell on the young woman who stood stock still, hands clasped around the wine pitcher and eyes glassy. He'd never quite seen a slave like that either, truth be told. Perhaps it was that he cut his own an odd amount of slack, but even Titus' had some colour and personality underneath their quiet mutterings of 'yes, domine'. And he knew his friend rules his domus with a tighter fist than his own. 

With interest, he indicated with a jerk of his freshly cropped head to the two silent slaves in the shop. "How do you get them so...quiet?" He frowned. He felt more at ease asking personal questions now he was safely out of the reach of the razor and by the door. The same, of course, couldn't quite be said for his friend who was at the mercy of the knife. "I've never seen such...well behaved slaves. Have you, Titus?" 

 

TAG: @Liv @Atrice

[Liv]

Titus nodded sheepishly at the barber's amused inquiry, not really understanding why the man seemed to be amused by the whole talk of fustuarium. "Yes, well, if you were to dish out capital punishment for every minor thing, it would lose its effectiveness. If a man doesn't fear death, then what does he fear? And how do you control him?" A disciplined legionary was a good legionary; a fearless legionary was an idiot.

"Gods, definitely not orange!" Titus exclaimed with a look of mild revulsion. "Don't want people to think I've been rubbing chins with that one." He stared straight at Longinus and smirked, daring the other to say something back, before turning his attention back to Barbatius. "Frankincense would be nice though, if you've got that...?" An earthier fragrance was more to his taste than citrusy perfumes.

He was all but ready to close his eyes and abandon himself to the simple earthly pleasure of a scalp massage, but of course Longinus had to pipe up and require his opinion on, of all things, the barber's slaves. Had one of them suddenly caught his friend's eye, for him to be so intrigued? Titus arched an inquiring brow, but admitted to himself that Longinus did have a point. The slaves were extremely well-behaved, almost unnaturally so. They nearly resembled statues in their stillness. "No, me neither," he agreed, his gaze flitting from the quiet girl with the wine pitcher to the one who had mixed the oils, to yet another one standing by. Thinking back to that macabre story about the slave who had slit his own throat, Titus began to suspect that their silent devotion to their master was indeed owing to visceral fear. A fear so great that it shocked them into lifelessness. He was no charitable, egalitarian soul, but he would take a too-feisty slave like that Dacian wench of his any day over one of these poor shells of a servant.

Since he wouldn't be able to fully relax under Barbatius' ministrations anyway thanks to all the chatting, Titus thought they'd might as well get to the bottom of it, or as close to it as social affectations permitted. "Yes, do tell. How do you train them?"

@Atrice @Sara

[Atrice]

Marcus could only agree with Rufus, that people needed fear in order to be best controlled. It was surprising though to hear, that such ideas were also common in the military. Although Marcus did not think you needed to fear death itself to be controlled... although it certainly was useful to the whole thing with taming slaves and making them obedient. He didn't answer the question though, because Rufus was also ready to be shaved and requested a scent on his own.

"Of course we have some frankincense." He said with a smile, it wasn't as cheap as the orange though, but there was no need to mention that. A short glance to Manus made his longest living slave understand, that he should get going and make that shaving oil ready for the fine Senator. Meanwhile Longinus had leaned against the doorframe to the shop and Rufus seemed more than ready for having his hair cut. Longinus then suddenly spoke up, wondering how Marcus got his slaves to be so quiet and well-behaved. Rufus agreed they were very quiet and well-behaved and Marcus smiled, that made him quite proud. He had done a good job with these at least. Germanus had been more troublesome, but hopefully he would soon learn too... or he might never! 

Now Rufus was curious too and Marcus sat down on the stool next to the chair, "It's really not so hard. You spoke about making the soldiers fear death, to make them easier to control. I think death is maybe a little bit harsh, so I agree more on your first notion... don't deal it out every time. Very often a good punishment is enough. And make sure they know their place and make sure they know that they are replaceable. They are only slaves, after all." Marcus pointed out, "Manus there, he is good though. Aculia is satisfying too so far." He added, glancing at each slave in turn, Manus had been with him three years and it was probably best to keep him loyal, when he had been that so far. And Aculia was definitely learning too. Still though, it was worrying that they had to ask, the Senators. Were their slaves not as well-behaved? "Do you never punish your slaves if they fail you?" 

@Liv @Sara

[Sara]

Longinus grinned at Titus childishly, "You should be so bloody lucky." Longinus knew whilst he preferred the fairer sex, an attractive man was just as welcome in his bed. Nonetheless, even the vague idea of Titus being that man made bile rise uncomfortably in his throat. Gods, not if his friend was the last man on earth would he...he shook his head to rid the thought from his mind and concentrated on the much cheerier conversation around discipling slaves. 

He arched a brow as Marcus spoke, watching the man intently. His comments did sound as outlandish as he feared, but there was still something unnerving about the statuesque slaves that littered his shop. 

"Of course I do," He picked up a grape and tossed it in his mouth from the side. His eyes briefly flitted over the female one who stood stock still, as if this conversation was happening out of earshot. "A couple to the mines, a few branded and sold if they ran, and the lash very rarely but," He shrugged, "I'm probably too easy on them. Some of the things I let them get away with..." He grinned and tossed in another grape. Pointing an accusatory finger at Titus he rolled his eyes, "This one probably thinks I'm too soft on them." 

 

TAG: @Liv @Atrice

[Liv]

"I'd kill myself before I ever descended to that level of madness," Titus deadpanned lightning-fast back to his friend, letting him (and Barbatius by association) know in no uncertain terms just what he thought of him as a potential bed partner. He far preferred women anyway, with their curves and soft supple skin, but even floating the thought of Longinus in that sort of situation made him feel like throwing up in his mouth a little. Good thing Barbatius had some good frankincense; the pleasant smell was distracting enough in a positive way.

At first blush he didn't quite know how to take the barber's explanation. It seemed logical enough that death would be the harshest of punishments, and yet at least one slave had willingly chosen it rather than suffer his master's discipline any longer. Did Marcus Barbatius not see the dissonance in that? Or was it that he did see it and relished it? And while he was right in that slaves were replaceable, it was so much trouble to train one up to standards. Dealing in hair wasn't as cut and dry as that either, judging by the little bit of preparations Titus had been able to observe - the oils, the mixing of ingredients, the sharpening of tools, knowing precisely which one to hand to your master... Learning such things took time, so it made no sense to him that Barbatius would value his so little that he saw all the slaves that helped him as immediately disposable.

The whole affair was unsettling, but he had gone there for two things only - drag Longinus into a cut and shave and get the same for himself. As much sympathy as he had for the silent, nearly motionless slaves of the barber, there was nothing he could do for them, and by their master's own admission they had learnt how to deal with him. So he frowned at the finger suddenly pointed at him and hit back with a barbed statement. "You clearly are, since you always seem so impressed when you come to my place and see my slaves doing their jobs like they're supposed to. Unlike yours, for whom it is Saturnalia year round." He tilted his head minutely, shrugging at the same time. There, he'd said it. 

"The lash does its job well enough, but I prefer to take away their privileges. Lease them to a brothel or a farm for a week or two and see how much more obedient and grateful they are when they come back. If they're repeat offenders, then it's off to the markets or the mines. No use wasting coin and food on them."

@Atrice @Sara

[Atrice]

The two friends kept their odd joke about brushing chins and especially Longinus seemed to think he was definitely worth it, while Rufus kept pulling back from such a notion. It didn't matter though. Marcus didn't look down on any of them for it. Sometimes he did enjoy a male in his bed, especially Germanus had been suffering a bit lately, which wasn't entirely bad and actually better than Tinus at the moment. Aculia was still satisfying too though. Manus... was just better for other kinds of work. But when it came to suffering and punishmen, he explained that basically he did think punishments were the right way to go, to make the slaves fear him and work well. He wondered if the two men never disciplined their slaves and Longinus first said that he did indeed do that, glancing shortly to Aculia afterwards. Did he fancy her? Marcus smiled. Perhaps that would be another kind offer from a  barber, to make sure Longinus might return another time. 

Longinus explained that he was probably too easy on his slaves and that Rufus would consider him soft. Marcus imagined as much; that Longinus was too soft on his slaves, he seemed like a way too merry and cheerful man to be harsh on the slaves. So of course he would never get as quiet and well-behaved slaves as Marcus. Rufus confirmed that his friend was soft and said that the lash was good, but he also enjoyed taking his slaves priviledges away. That was an interesting idea. Maybe he could talk to his friend Titus from the Elysium about such things? 

"Indeed." Marcus said to Rufus' last comment on not spending money on food for slaves that were not well behaved, "I also see no reason waste coin nor time on slaves that cannot perform their duties as they are supposed to. I have one fairly new slave, who is quite troublesome so far. I'm sure he'll break soon though." He had to, or else he might end up broken some other way. Marcus stood then, to continue with cutting Rufus' hair, picking up the scissors that he had allowed Manus to clean, so that he would not be using a dirty pair of scissors on a new client. He trusted Manus to even do such a thing and his oldest slave still did not fail him. And soon enough, he was trimming Rufus' hair to look as fine as it did all the time.

Meanwhile Longinus stood there in the doorway, just watching and talking and Marcus recalled his earlier thought about Aculia. It wasn't something he did all the time, far from it, but these men were of a quite high rank and Marcus did enjoy such clients returning to his shop. He decided to offer her to the other man, if he would have her. He glanced at Longinus, "Do you want her?" He nodded towards Aculia, didn't look at her though, as he was busy cutting hair.

@Liv @Sara

[Sara]

Longinus only rolled his eyes at his friend and waved a hand in dismissal. He cut Attis the most slack, his body slave had a particular humour that Longinus found infectious and he knew full well he'd be bored stiff with somebody like Titus' mild-mannered Tranquillus trailing him all day. But despite what his friend thought, his slaves were dutiful, well behaved and respectful. Cutting them a little freedom to have a relationship, speak their own language occasionally or leave the domus, as long as they did what was expected, he found had made them more productive. Besides, he knew he was not an easy man to serve; leaving chaos of mess in his wake, being up at all hours and needing constant exercise to expend his energy. He needed a particular set of slaves to keep him on track, and his lot suited him fine thank you very much.

He must have been staring at the young woman as he bemoaned Titus in his mind give Barbatius' question and he blinked, with a frown at the man before drawing his eyes back to the girl. She was pretty, he'd give her that, but her passive - almost glassy - gaze was unnerving and off-putting. He doubted he'd get much more than a quiet, muttered whimper out of her - and thought it more likely she'd lie there silently like a slab of marble. Besides, he was not so desperate that he went off on the hunt for another mans slaves; the Domus Venus suited him fine, as did Attis when times were tough or boredom took over. Not that he'd been in the mood much since his wife's passing, mind. 

Another part of him considered it though, just briefly, to ask her exactly what was going on in this odd little shop. But even if he did, and even if she spouted the most outlandish stories of this barber's behaviour it wasn't like he could do much to help her. She was another's property, and short of buying her himself, she'd stay that way. With a mischievous smile, he shook his head; "Not today. Maybe next time." If he ever was brave enough to visit again, mind. He arched a brow at the man and sipped his wine, "She's pretty though - do you lend her out much?" He grinned down at Titus, "Unless you want a go- promise I won't tell Valeria."

 

TAG: @Liv @Atrice 

 

[Liv]

"I'm good, but thank you for the offer." He only did so out of politeness - putting his haircut on hold to screw the daylights out of his barber's slave and then resume it as if nothing had happened was a far too unconventional prospect for his pragmatic mind to even consider. Was it such a selfish request to put to the gods, that Marcus Barbatius' scissors and blades could snip and cut away in peace? Titus was very close to regretting having brought Longinus to this place, or at the very least having brought him in a healthy state. Next time, if there was one, he would not make the same mistake; first he would wait for his friend to grow quite literally speechless at the hands of a mighty winter cold lest he incite the barber to ramp up the chitter-chatter even more.

Yet despite himself and his reservations as to where the whole conversation was headed, Titus couldn't help but hum his sympathy for Barbatius' reluctant slave (because nodding would have been a very unwise thing to do, given the care with which the plebeian was trimming his hair). He had his fair share of troublesome, undutiful slaves - one more than he was willing to put up with, which was none. And he would have to find a solution for that soon. Perhaps Marcus Barbatius had an interesting idea or two... He seemed to be a crueller man under that very ordinary mien than Titus would ever have imagined.

"Why get new slaves if they're so hard to train?" he asked, moving only his eyes to glance up in the barber's direction. It didn't seem like Barbatius was hurting for money; surely he could spend a little coin in better-quality slaves...?

@Atrice @Sara

[Atrice]

To Marcus, Aculia was just a slave and there to do his bidding and obey orders. She did that very well, she worked hard to keep him content with her, and although she failed sometimes, it was becoming more rare. She had also been here a while now, so that meant she had learned something. Who knew, she might last as long as Manus! Marcus did not see Longinus' reaction to his question, but noticed the man grew a little bit silent as if he was at least considering the offer. Marcus thought it was very generous. But then Longinus shook his head and said he would not have today, but maybe next time. 

So he might return, that was good, Marcus thought. Longinus wondered if she was often lent out to others and suggested Rufus could have a go with her. But the other Senator just thanked politely for the offer, but refused it. Marcus nodded, "Anytime, Senators. I do not lend her out much, no. But for you, a rarely offered treat." He simply answered, although it was a treat they did not pick up. It was just a suggestion anyway. Silence fell then and Marcus finished trimming Rufus' hair and went to find the razor once more, sharpening it and making sure it was ready for Rufus, who then suddenly returned to the topic about slaves, that they had already talked so much about. 

Why was that such an interesting subject to them? He had to be careful with what he said, he feared they might not return if they knew anything about his punishments or threats to the slaves to keep them well-behaved and inferior. 

"New slaves are not that hard to train." Marcus simply said, "At least that is not my experience." He explained and arched a brow, "Why all the fuss about the slaves? They're just... well... slaves." Was it really such an interesting topic to discuss? He began smearing some of the oil on Rufus' cheeks and chin to shave him.

@Sara @Liv

[Sara]

Well - yet another benefit of their rank, it seemed, that barbers were willing to loan at his girls to them. He considered the glassy eyed woman again for a moment before blinking and diverting his attention to his wine, and then back to Titus. He was about to joke that the barber had made some terrible error and snipped his hair into a hideous pattern but decided against it. This Marcus Barbatius - for all his oddities - was decently skilled and he knew he'd be on the receiving end of a tantrum from Titus if he embarrassed him here. Not for the first time, Longinus mused that his friend sorely needed to lighten up.

Slaves were...slaves to Longinus. They were just people - albeit inferior ones, but he knew (and owned) plenty he would consider more intelligent or resourceful than himself. It was precisely for those reasons he had acquired or promoted them. It stood to reason, therefore, that dependent on their personalities or intellect it wouldn't be hard to train them here - but he supposed Barbatius had fewer means than Senators and so could rarely afford the highest quality Greek or Italian slaves. It made sense, therefore, that he probably went through a few. 

Arching a brow at Titus as he was being lathered to be shaved he grinned, "Yes - why the fascination? Looking for some tips to discipline the Britons I gave you?"

 

TAG: @Liv @Atrice

[Liv]

Gods, the fragrances from the oils must be turning those two's heads into mush - how else could the inane conversation have taken a turn like that? And now they were ganging up on him, too.  He wasn't even the one who had brought up the subject of slaves in the first place! The scene was starting to play out like so many episodes of Titus' childhood, but whereas he had been a little boy then at the mercy of his younger siblings, he was a grown man and a paying customer this time. An increasingly annoyed paying customer.

He couldn't bite his tongue any more. Fuck the glassy-eyed slave woman, fuck the barber, fuck his slave assistant, fuck Longinus who could definitely live out the rest of his days with matted buttocks-length hair and a Nabatean beard and see if Titus cared. "You just said your fairly new slave was 'troublesome'," he snorted at Marcus Barbatius as the man tussled with his tools. "What is that if not hard to train and a waste of coin?" Did he keep blunt razors too, even if he failed to sharpen them? 

Titus didn't dignify Longinus' question with more than an eye roll, and simply stared straight ahead in his seat (no, he wasn't sulking) as oil was worked into his cheeks. He was done talking for the time being anyway, at least as long as the shaving part went on.

@Atrice @Sara 

 

[Atrice]

Longinus would still not have Aculia, and well, it was his choice. Marcus went on with what he was doing, the cutting of hair and then preparing Rufus for a shave. And then Rufus went back to talking about slaves, how he thought new slaves were harder to train, so why bother. Well Marcus did not have that problem and he honestly didn't know why they were still asking him questions about slaves. So he wondered about that, what was the reason for this and Longinus seemed to agree, curious about Rufus' continuing fascination and then he mentioned that he had given Rufus' Briton slaves. 

Oh Britons could be difficult! Not as bad as slaves from Germania, of course, because Germania had yet to be conquered, but the closer slaves were to Italia, the easier to train they were, he thought. Not that he needed slaves that were easy to train. Where would the fun be in that? 

Rufus then replied, talking about Marcus' troublesome new slave and he thought they were hard to train and a waste of coin.

"I don't make a habit out of spending much on slaves. And I don't find that so little coin is ever wasted coin." He said, "My new slave may be troublesome, but he will learn, if he's smart enough." If he wanted to live, he would learn. But he didn't see why they should talk more about slaves, by Hades he didn't get it. Yet he should not upset such fine men. He should not.

"I think we simply have different views on slaves, Senator. How to acquire them, how to train and punish them and how to treat them. Different views on what is difficult and what is not." Marcus said and picked up the razor, which glistened in the sunlight shining through the open door and window, "Now... if  you will please lean your head a bit back, Senator." 

@Liv @Sara

[Sara]

Longinus still leaned languidly against the doorframe, sipping his wine and eating his grapes. Titus' churlishness was as amusing as ever to him - he thrived on making one of his oldest friends this salty. And he seemed to have done the trick, given by the short shrift answer the barber returned to the other Senator. As the man picked up the razor, and Titus miserably clamped his mouth shut, Longinus couldn't resist a final jab; "I think Senator Rufus just has impossibly high standards for his slaves," He popped another grape in his mouth before adding; "At least those that aren't Dacian." He'd been on the receiving end of his mutterings about his Dacian spoils and that should suitably irritate him further. 

As the barber shaved his friend, Longinus took to walking around the room, ignoring the slaves who politely stepped out of his way with glassy gazes and silent steps. 

He was not a man that found being idle, or still easy and that was no more true than now. Hating the silence that filled the room and his own boredom he spoke over his shoulder as he eyed and fingered the various vials of oils and lotions; "You never fancied a turn in the military then Barbatius?" He had been destined for it, or at least, he had pushed his parents towards it. He remembered his fathers reticence after Longinus had expressed his desire for a posting across the sea in Britannia given he was their only child and his death would have been horrifying for the family (they would have far preferred a nice comfortable posting in a subdued province for him). "Never fancied yourself as an auxiliary man?" 

 

TAG: @Liv @Atrice

[Liv]

Between the proximity of the glistening blade that could turn really dangerous really quickly and his simple desire for a smooth hairless face, Titus was well aware that continuing to participate in the conversation, if it still could be called one, would be counter-productive. Besides, he didn't fully trust himself not to let the veneer of manners crack even more than it already had... so he did what any sensible man would do: closed his eyes, inhaled and counted to ten in his head. He knew from experience the trick didn't work on him, but it kept him distracted for a few seconds.

As requested, he tilted his head back and wished for a fraction of a second it would be as easy to block out sounds as it was sight. To go through a relaxing haircut and shave in complete silence, what a wonderful dream that would be... Maybe he should consider having his body slave take a very accelerated apprenticeship under Barbatius. Unable and unwilling to reply verbally, Titus gave a thumbs up at Longinus' claim that he had high standards for his slaves (which was true, but nobody had died because of them yet), followed by its opposite sign with the same thumb pointing downwards - of course he held the Dacians to the same standards! He just afforded them a bit more time to learn the ropes, until his patience inevitably ran out.

Eyes still closed, he shifted slightly in his seat to get more comfortable and let his attention drift between Longinus' questioning of the barber and a nice daydream in which he received a scalp massage for hours on end with only birds chirping or rain falling as background noise.

@Atrice @Sara

[Atrice]

Rufus finally seemed to accept to agree to disagree with Marcus and his ideals and thoughts when it came to slaves, as he leaned his head back and allowed Marcus to actually do his job. Longinus however, he could not stay quiet. He said that Rufus had high standards for his slaves and mentioned something with Dacian slaves. Rufus gave some silent replies to his friend, since he could not really speak, when being shaved with a sharp razor. 

Marcus saw no reason to reply to that and busied himself with the shaving, although he kept half an eye on Longinus, who began wandering around the little shop, taking it all in, as if he was just taking a stroll on the street. 

He could not stay quiet, Longinus. Marcus was fine with the silence, but apparently not this client. Suddenly he wondered why Marcus had not taken his turn in the military as an auxiliar. 

"It wasn't in the cards for me. My father was a barber and when he died, his freedman took over the business and trained me." Marcus said, although he focused on the work and not on Longinus - he didn't want to cut Rufus by accident, "Not all men can step into the military. Then there would only be women and slaves left to do the work." And then the world would end, he was sure. Or the slaves would rebel while the men were gone. Some had to stay behind, no matter what. Marcus wasn't sad that he never went into the army. He was fine here. 

He finished the last stroke with the razor on the silent Rufus and Manus handed him a clean cloth to wipe off excess oil. He picked up a dry brush to brush little hairs away from Rufus' face then, "All done, Senator. I hope you're satisfied." 

@Sara @Liv

[Sara]

Longinus listened with patience and an arched brow. It made sense, he supposed although for the life of him he couldn't imagine being a young man and growing up and not wanting to be in the military. He supposed that was the Roman way though, at least for men of his class. Those that didn't take military postings were idle fools who brought no honour to their families. For plebs, it must be quiet different. He added, as a joke; "Ah yes, and we can't have women and slaves running the show." He was under no illusion that a far number of slaves and women were probably more capable than the sitting senators of Rome, and hoped they'd appreciate the jest. Then again, maybe they wouldn't and that would be equally amusing. 

As Marcus finished shaving Titus, Longinus began whistling; an old marching tune he had learned in Britannia whose lyrics were filthy but the wordless whistle was modest enough. He doubted Barbatius would know it. He simply couldn't keep silent and judging from Titus' glares, it was suitably riling his closest friend up, which only spurred Longinus on more.

As Barbatius finished, Longinus ceased his whistling and grinned at his friend; "Very handsome, Valeria will be most impressed." He took a sip of wine and ate another handful of grapes before jerking his thumb at Titus with, "He's paying, good Barbatius, as he dragged me here against my will." 

 

TAG: @Liv @Atrice

Edited March 12, 2020 by Sara

[Liv]

Listening with only half a mind to the other two's conversation, Titus silently concurred that it wasn't everyone's fate to join the Eagles, and Barbatius' inheritance of his father's business made much sense. He had been taught well in Titus' opinion, and better to celebrate a good barber than to mourn the loss of a soldier that never was - and just what kind of soldier Barbatius would have made, Titus wasn't keen to find out. And as to women and slaves doing the work, well - many imperial slaves were administrating the minutiae of running the empire on a daily basis, and Titus trusted his own body slave to make sounder decisions than many of the old coots in the Senate. But the order of things was as it was and should not be changed.

Titus ran both hands through his now completely smooth cheeks after the tickling brush was put away and nodded his approval as he looked in a small mirror, doing his best to ignore the obscene whistling coming out of Longinus' lips - partial hearing loss had its blessings, he noted not for the first time. "Very satisfied, good Barbatius. As usual," he added with a smile. He pondered making a curt and barbed comment about having a wife to impress in the first place, but decided to be the better man - his best friend was a widower, not a divorced man, and had had no part in Antonia's untimely death, unlike a certain barber to his slaves, according to his suspicions... "Why thank you, for once I hope you're right." Impressed was probably not the right word - the sight would be nothing new to Valeria. Relieved? Grateful? Indifferent? There were certain times and occasions on which stubble was a nuisance. But Titus couldn't recall her ever having expressed a preference, perhaps because she knew how ultimately futile it would be.

He stood up from his seat and approached his friend, making a show of whispering low enough that it would seem like he was indeed trying to be discreet, and loud enough that Barbatius would hear. "You should have told me you were in difficulties, Longinus. Of course I'll pay for you." The concerned tone with which he mollified the other patrician was betrayed by a sardonic twinkle in his hazel eyes; his poker face held thanks to years of practice and a natural disposition for it. 

Titus fished some coins out of his money purse and handed them to Barbatius' right-hand slave. There was more than enough there to cover both cuts and shaves plus the wine and grapes that glutton Longinus had helped himself to, but he motioned for the slave not to bother with change with a lazy, dismissive gesture. Once payment was out of the way, Titus turned to Longinus with a questioning look. "Shall we be on our way? Or was there anything else?"

@Atrice @Sara

[Sara]

Longinus smirked and clapped Titus hard enough on the back for the sound of the slap to reverberate around the small room. "Thank you friend you're too kind." He smirked and narrowed his eyes back at his friend. What did he care if the barber thought he was broke? Who was he going to run and tell? "Let us make this a fortnightly trip then, on your coin, as you so sadly point out I'm not sure I have the funds to keep myself looking presentable." Barbatius would likely see through the joke, but even if he didn't, he didn't care. Let Titus pay for his personal grooming for the foreseeable, that would teach him. 

As Titus paid, Longinus inclined his head to the barber and then cast a glance at the slaves; standing perfectly still, eerily quiet. It was bloody unnerving and he quickly flashed a forced grin at the man; "Its been a pleasure, we'll leave you to get on with your day." He inclined his head one more time and shoved his friend through the doorway and out of the shop. Rounding on Titus when they were suitably out of earshot he rolled his eyes dramatically; "If you wanted to get me bloody killed you could have thought of a less elaborate way to do it than taking me to a psychotic barber." He chuckled and arched a brow, grinning; "Drink?" 

 

TAG: @Atrice @Liv

Longinus out! Thanks for a fab thread!

[Atrice]

The military lifestyle was not something he longed for – but he had done a little bit of travelling, of course, from his hometown and to Rome, although that was already years ago. Marcus however tried to make it seem right, that he didn’t join the ranks of the soldiers, by stating that you could not have women and slaves running the show here. Longinus agreed and soon after, Marcus decided that Rufus looked fine enough and hoped his returning client was well satisfied with the shave and haircut. Longinus was whistling now and he stated that Rufus was very handsome now.

Rufus of course just said that he was satisfied as usual and Marcus smiled, “I’m pleased to hear that, Senator.” He replied and then Rufus stood and Longinus more or less made his friend pay for the shaving and haircut of both of them. The two comrades joked with each other, but Marcus was paid as he should be and gave the two a smile again.

“Have a good day, Senators, and I hope to see any of you again soon.” Marcus said as they were leaving, hoping their conversation had not scared any of them away. Rufus had been here more than once before, and had returned and they never had any issues before, after all. Once they were gone, Marcus took the money from Manus and into the purse in which he kept the coin earned from the shop.

“Clean this up, Manus, and let me know if any other clients appear.” He said and Aculia moved out of the way, knowing her master was going back into the insula to have a little rest. She followed him with wine and drink, just in case. Manus stayed in the shop, cleaning up hair from the floor and making sure the cup that Longinus had used, was washed. That was that. Soon another costumer would show  up for another haircut and the day would proceed as usual.

@Liv @Sara