'Tis but a scratch

[Atrice]

June, 77AD – about two weeks after Learning the Hard Way

 

Marcus was not feeling great. It had been a few weeks now, since that incident with Varus. His bruises were more or less gone now and the stitched eyebrow was healing well too, although there would be a scar. So far, if anyone asked, he explained that he’d fallen down some stairs in the villa, because he’d been drunk. And apparently such an incident didn’t make him think because he was almost always drunk now. Which also meant he didn’t show up to do his duties as one of the vigintiviri either, so he definitely was not honoring his father or his family name.

 Instead he was either in his own rooms in the villa, or, if he suspected Tiberius might attempt to talk to him, he’d excuse himself and find somewhere else in Rome to camp and drink. And avoid people asking questions. He didn’t want to lie to Tiberius. Then he’d rather avoid him.

 That’s exactly what he had done today, again. Found a random, cheap tavern and drowned his misery in wine. He should never have talked to Charis or attempted to share gossip with her. It had backfired so bad. So bad. She’d been right, her husband was powerful and he had made sure to teach Marcus a lesson he wouldn’t soon forget, if ever. Fuck all that. Fuck everyone. Marcus had wanted to climb high so badly, but it seemed all he did was fall.

 He hadn’t dared to go the Via Lata and find one of the better tavernas or popinas, as he usually did. Instead he lowered himself to the subura, near the brothels and the gangs, but at least here he wasn’t so well known. At some point during the evening, he was escorted roughly out of the taverna he’d found, because a barmaid had apparently been offended by his way of dismissing her. He scraped his knee as he fell outside, but he'd gone through worse now and he ignored it. Then, alone, he made his way back to the villa. At least it was evening. Hopefully that meant he could avoid people and questions once more. He'd done that well so far. He walked into the villa, thinking he was being quiet. He was anything but that though.

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[Sharpie]

It was evening, which meant that Tiberius had finished his work for the day and left Jason to do whatever he needed to do before he was needed to help Tiberius prepare for bed. Jason was passing through the atrium by the villa's main door when it opened to admit Marcus Junius Silanus, worse for wear and looking... Well, the expression was a combination of angry and upset and probably some other things Jason couldn't or wouldn't name. He looked somewhat drunk on top of everything else.

He was halfway across the atrium, too far from any doorway to duck out of sight - he had been trying to keep a low profile where Junius Silanus was concerned after his first run-in with the man, and didn't think that any further interaction with him was likely to go any better. Well, he was about to find out just how right he was on that score.

 

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[Atrice]

Marcus closed the doors behind him, as he didn't see any slaves to do it for him, as he had hoped would be the case. Slaves though, usually didn't ask so many questions and most knew better than to ask him question. Marcus was much better at giving orders, although he hadn't given many lately. Mostly to Silvanus, who stuck to his side, except for when Marcus told him not to. Like tonight. He had no idea where his body slave was now, but it also didn't matter. He just needed to get to bed, there was nothing more to do tonight.

But as he crossed into the atrium of the villa, he wasn't alone after all. Jason was there. Fuck. He had elegantly avoided Tiberius since the beating, and thus also avoided Jason. He didn't know if Tiberius had even wondered why Marcus wasn't there or why there was always an excuse, whenever his friend called for him. No matter, he didn't want to lie to his friend, so he'd rather just not see him at all. He could hardly admit what really happened. If he shared a name and Varus found out, he feared for what would happen to him then. Just offending the man had been plenty! And he told Marcus not to tell.

So he stopped in his tracks, strangely uncertain of what to do or what to say. Perhaps he should man up. Act his rank! He should! Jason was just a slave. And Marcus would be expected to say something to him, wouldn't he? 

"Have you seen Silvanus?" Marcus simply asked Jason then, asking for his own body slave was a valid question, wasn't it? 

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"No, sir," he answered - he hadn't, either; he'd been busy with Tiberius and thought that Silvanus had likewise been with his own master. Tiberius had been worried about his friend, though he hadn't said as much to Jason. Even with things between Tiberius and Jason being a little more equal, it was only a little more and he hadn't said anything to Jason outright... but Jason was in the room often enough to hear when things were said.

Not that Tiberius was one to gossip at all; very far from it. But Jason was observant, and Tiberius hadn't exactly taken pains to hide his concern.

It wasn't as though Jason could exactly say any of that to the man in question, though - especially after the last time they'd crossed each other's path.

"I can look for him if you want," he said - he'd likely get told to whether he offered or not. He very nearly asked if there was anything wrong but managed to bite his tongue before uttering the words. Junius Silanus seemed the type to take it out on slaves who were too observant around him, probably thinking it insolence if not downright disrespect.

 

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[Atrice]

At least the bruises were almost gone. But they might ask about the cracked eyebrow. Well, he fell down the stairs, that's what he'd said. And while he didn't like to lie to Tiberius, Jason might not be an issue. At least it was just Jason. Marcus, despite being drunk, managed to say something that sounded reasonable to Jason and the slave said he had not seen Silvanus. As expected. He had no idea what his body slave was doing tonight, since he'd been dismissed because Marcus wanted to go out alone. He brushed the tunic he wore, realizing it might have become a bit dirty after he was thrown out of the taverna. 

Then he thought he'd continue walking, but Jason continued to talk to him.

"No need. I just need to get to my chambers." He said, "You can fetch me something to drink, I'm not sure if I have any." Although he probably shouldn't drink more tonight. But he might fall asleep better. 

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[Sharpie]

It would pay to be cautious around Junius Silanus, Jason was more than aware of that after his last encounter with the man. But he was Tiberius' friend and couldn't be avoided forever, especially now they'd crossed paths again with Silvanus somewhere in the villa.

The man looked somewhat the worse for wear, with a dirty tunic and a new scar in his eyebrow. The girls might like that - girls liked the mystery that scars exuded, after all.

He seemed somewhat less than sober - and Tiberius hadn't seen him in a while, either. From everything Jason had managed to glean over the past few weeks, he seemed to have been ignoring his political duties, too. Tiberius hadn't said so in as many words, but Jason knew that he was beginning to worry about his friend.

"Do you... Would you..." How to offer a supporting hand to the man, who was swaying and didn't seem quite as acquainted with vertical as he should. Jason took a silent breath, knowing he was risking a slap, especially given the other's usual temperament and current state. "Shall I help you to your rooms, sir?"

He'd get a very well-watered jug of wine for him afterwards, but he had to get there first.

 

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[Atrice]

Marcus hadn't really experienced any girls being interested because he had bruises and scars, or maybe they had, but he just hadn't cared. He was too busy worrying about anyone finding out why he had these bruises. He'd been so stupid. He really needed to do better, but instead, he was just drunk and thrown out of taverns. And now chatting with a slave. Well at least Jason was trying to do something. 

Marcus said Jason could fetch him something to drink, but instead of doing that, Jason came closer and offered a hand, suggesting he should help Marcus get to his rooms on the first floor of the villa.

"I'm fine." Marcus snapped, jerking his arm away from Jason, "Didn't I tell you to fetch me something to drink?" He then asked, trying to sound noble, but probably did not succeed. Then he continued to make his way towards the staircase. He looked over his shoulder to see if Jason was leaving or what. He'd rather not have Jason witness his misery too much. What if he told Tiberius?

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It was Jason's opinion that Marcus Silanus had drunk far too much already; he could smell the alcohol on the other's breath, but Marcus snatched his arm away as if he'd been burned. At least he didn't then go for the slap, preferring to turn away to the stairs, though he paused to watch Jason, apparently waiting to see if he'd obey the clear order he'd been given.

Well, if the other wanted wine, Jason was in no position to deny him. He turned for the service passage to the kitchens - it was only really the second time he'd had any sort of run-in with Marcus Silanus, and he'd been sent for food and drink the last time, too.

If his master's friend wanted wine, he'd get some, but he'd bring food as well. Anything to help him regain sobriety sooner - whatever was wrong wasn't going to be helped by crawling into an amphora, after all. And he had no idea what he would tell Tiberius if he was asked, either.

It wasn't long before he found himself outside his master's friend's rooms, holding a tray with a jug of wine, a cup, and a plate with olives, grapes and bread. It would probably be sent back uneaten, but the offer was there, at least. He should have sent one of the house slaves up with it, but thought his master would prefer him to do it himself - probably.

"Sir?"

 

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[Atrice]

Marcus thought it best to not spend too much time with Jason, he didn't want the slave to ask questions, so that he could get answers to tell his actual master. Besides, people touching him without his consent... he didn't like that. He didn't like it before and now even less. Finally he could make his way up the stairs and managed without falling. He left that until the moment he'd reached his bed, which he fell onto and rolled over onto his backside, staring up at the ceiling. Fuck everything. Also the girl who thought him rude at the tavern, as if she had anything to say in anything at all! But it was her fault he was thrown out like that. Somehow it was never his own fault. Or was it? Gods... he sighed and then he heard footsteps in the hallway just outside his room and sat up a bit.

Jason stood there with a tray with much more than just wine. Well he didn't ask for it... but maybe it would be nice anyway, to have a bit to eat.

"Just put it on the table." Marcus nodded to one of the bedside tables in the room. He considered to scold Jason for bringing him food when he didn't ask for it, even thought he decided to not mind... but then decided to not scold the slave more. Instead he reached for the wine without picking up the cup, but before drinking he looked up at Jason, as another thought came to his mind.

"Can I trust you to... not tell Tiberius about this?" Not that it was uncommon for Marcus to come home drunk, it was just that it happened more often now and usually it wasn't Jason who greeted him as the first. Usually Silvanus was there for him. But now Jason was here. He better make sure the slave didn't speak up about it.

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"I won't tell him, sir," Jason said, setting the tray down on the table as ordered, and stepping back. "He's worried about you, though." As well he might; the two young men had moved here together, setting up their own home from which to begin their political lives properly, away from the Palatine and Caesar, and something had happened to Marcus that had meant he'd stayed cooped up in his rooms not speaking to anyone except his own slave. Probably.

Probably he only opened his mouth around Silvanus to tell him to do something.

"You should talk to him," he added, and shut up abruptly; this was not someone who would appreciate Jason's advice on a normal day, which this wasn't. "Do you need anything else, sir?"

 

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Jason promised to not tell Tiberius about Marcus while he set the tray down onto the table. Then he spoke about Tiberius being worried and said Marcus should talk to him. No he shouldn't, because Marcus was his friend and he didn't want Tiberius to be placed in a bad spot because of Marcus. This was his thing to deal with and he couldn't tell anyone, because he didn't want to get beaten or worse. If Varus had this done to him just for Marcus offending his wife, what would he do if he got angered again? Would he have him beaten up worse or maybe even disposed off? No, he couldn't risk it. Tiberius couldn't know.

"I can't." Marcus said, "Is he really worried though? Isn't he busy with his work?" Tiberius was so much smarter than Marcus. At least Marcus did well in what he was doing now, having started the course of honor, but he knew that Tiberius was smarter than he was. And he was grateful for having such a friend and couldn't lose him. So he couldn't be a bad influence on Tiberius. So Tiberius couldn't know what happened.

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Jason

 

Jason had to consider his answer carefully. Yes, Tiberius was worried, but he hadn't expressed that worry aloud directly to Jason - as thoughtful and considerate as he was as a master, Tiberius was still thoroughly Roman. His consideration for Jason conflicted with his thoughts and views on slaves as a whole, at least to some degree, as had been amply demonstrated during their conversation several months previously. Tiberius had so rarely chastised Jason for anything that even the recollection of that slight reprimand still stung.

Had it been anyone else, it wouldn't have stung so much.

"Of course he's worried about you, sir - you're friends, living in the same house and he's hardly seen you recently," he said eventually, his voice quiet and his tone neutral as doubtless Junius Silanus expected any slave to be. He had no doubt at all about how his master's friend viewed slaves, Jason and his own body-slave included.

It was ridiculously easy for him to avoid Tiberius, even both living the same house - the villa was a large one, much bigger than the yurt Jason had lived in with his family at home, and Rome was even bigger.

 

@Atrice

 

Edited February 23, 2023 by Sharpie

[Atrice]

 

Marcus could only hope that Tiberius was too busy to be concerned about him, but Jason was probably right. He knew his master well too, although differently than Marcus knew Tiberius. And at least Jason promised to not tell his master about Marcus and his current state. There was a long pause however, when Marcus wondered if Tiberius was indeed all that worried, but then Jason finally replied. Said he was worried and Tiberius had hardly seen him recently. Hardly anyone had seen him recently though. He'd seen Ovinia, but that was by accident and he wasn't seeking her out again either. She was far too curious about what happened to him. At least Jason wasn't, because he was a slave. It wasn't his place to be curious. It was his place to serve and answer when asked, as he had done now.

"That's... kind of him." Marcus then said and sighed, "I'll see him once this face looks better." A lot better. Once the scar wasn't too red anymore, once all the bruises had gone. He sat up a little more to drink a gulp of the wine, before looking at Jason again, "Don't forget your promise to me." 

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Jason

"I said I wouldn't tell him, sir," Jason replied, although this man probably thought of a slave's promise in much the same way he did a dog's bark. Marcus Junius Silanus was so thoroughly Roman, after all. "What should I tell him if he asks, though?"

Probably the ancient lie about walking into a wall or door, or missing his footing down some stairs in the dark.

He still had the sense of Junius Silanus as a predator waiting for Jason to slip up in order to spring and get him in trouble, although he wasn't sure the man was quite as deliberate as that. He probably would be if he had half a chance, slaves like Jason were far beneath him and it would be like a cat playing with a mouse just for its own amusement.

 

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[Atrice]

Marcus Junius Silanus

 

How exactly could he know to trust Jason to not tell Tiberius one single word about what he'd seen and experienced with Marcus today? He couldn't. He could only hope that at least in this case, Jason would be loyal to him instead of Tiberius. Fuck! He couldn't know. How stupid of him to be discovered by Jason like this. But he said nothing and assumed Jason would go away now, only he didn't. Instead he lingered and wondered what to tell his master, should he ask about Marcus.

He flopped down onto the back again, not in the mood for this amount of thinking.

"Tell him I'm busy and tired." He said with a sigh, "That's all he needs to know. He wouldn't know about my looks unless someone told him. And no one will. You did promise me that." And he would keep Jason to it. Gods if he said something and Marcus found out... "If he asks for me, come and tell me. But don't tell him." 

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