Ancient Rome...

[LittleRedDevil]

I watched the Gladiators below, fighting not only for the respect of the people, but for their very lives. The people cheered as another man fell and the victor held his bloody sword in the air. The fighting didn't interest me in the least. I only came for one reason. I came because of him. One of the Ceasar's generals. He was nothing like the men who courted me. He was rugged and handsome, I know I am not the only girl who dreams about him. The wives of many of Ceasar's men watch him too.

My sigh shivers through me. They have the advantage. I am but a girl of 20. I know I am pretty. My eyes sparkle a sappire blue and my hair reflects the sun. My curves are womanly. Many men have complimented me, but he never even looks my way. He sits as my father's second in command. He amazes me, he is so young, no more than thirty, yet he holds a rank most don't reach until they are my father's age.

I shall go to the temple of Venus and pray once more to the goddess of love.

"Father?"

"Yes Bella?"

"Am I needed here anymore?"

"No my darling, you are dismissed."

"Thank you father," I made sure I walked in front of him, maybe the goddess will hear my prayers, or maybe it will be Nero and I will only see him in my dreams.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Thor

OOC: I love history; and Roman history

General Thor, freshly back from Gaul is basking in the adulation that the citizens have bestowed on him. After leading the XIX Legion through Gaul he has returned to a Triumph. The cheers of the citizens were intoxicating. Caesar himself placed a crown of leaves on his head.

IC: The games continue; bread and circuses keep the plebian masses quiet. I have learned that lesson well from the great Caesar. After last night in the arms of Agrippina, I am almost spent. She was an insatiable demon; aroused by the blood of the Gauls - and the tales I spun of conquest. Her lush body straddling me as she screamed was an image that I will take to my grave. A pity that her husband - the senator - does not attend to her needs.

As I sit in the box with my mentor, his daughter begs to be excused. As she leaves I notice, for the first time, how womanly she has become. Her toga conceals her figure, but it reveals at the same time.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

I can feel his eyes on me as I walk away. Maybe I have finally gotten his attention. A blush stains my cheeks as I recall the tails of his conquests, both on and off the battle fields. I swayed my hips just in case he was watching. Maybe the Goddess will grant my wish, and he will come to me.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Thor

Bella's hips sway seductively as she walks toward the exit. A sudden though overtakes me. Turning to my mentor I ask, "Great Caesar, will it displease you if I leave now? I have much business to attend to to atone for my months in Gaul."

Hearing his assent, I pull my toga around my shoulders and leave the box...following Bella. No one, I am sure, will notice my departure. They are too caught up in the bloodlust of the arena. A pity that they cannot be part of a Legion; even for a week. They would soon tire of blood.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

The sounds of the crowd chanting for blood dimmed as I made my way out of the great arena. The city was filled with merchants selling their wears to citizens and plebians a like. The crowd parted before me, and I walked through it, knowing that there were two guards not far behind. They followed me everywhere, but would leave me be at the temple. It was the only place other than palace that I was allowed my privacy.

The temple rose before me, and I glanced back just before entering. The guards were departing. The high priestess would send for them when my time here was done. Torches lit the way as I walked forward toward the statue of Venus. I kneeled and started my prayers, hoping that she heard me.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Thor

Oddly enough, my path followed Bella's. Her two guards towered over the masses. I saw her in the distance just entering the Temple of Venus. Only women were allowed to worship the goddess. It was rumored that the priestesses were libertines - but I had no first hand knowledge. Most of my life had been spent on one campaign or the other for the greater good of Rome.

I paused at a street stall and becconed the vendor to pour me a glass of wine. I threw a few coins down for him - he almost kissed my hand in gratitude. As I sipped, my eyes roamed ceaselessly around the square. Rumors of assasination had been flying about and I was ever alert for some dark plot.

 

[ManOSafety]

Antonius

OOC: I hope this is not intended just for two people, because the setting is so ripe for play. If my presence is unwanted, I shall bow out gracefully.

IC: With a sigh, the young man turns to look out the window, watching the different people as they walk the streets. His mentor, Ovid, has told him to learn from the actions of the people, that this is key to writing stories that will stir the emotions. Since Ovid's stories of love are so popular at this time of plenty and peace within the Empire, Antonius tries to heed his advice.

He pauses again to wonder how fortuitous it is that Ovid lives right across from the Temple of Venus. As he watches out the window, he sees a young woman, very shapely and with hair that shines in the sun enter the Temple and her guards be sent on their way.

"Hmmm, this could be an interesting beginning to a story..." he thinks.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

I cast one more glance at the statue of the Goddess, knowing there wasn't much else I could do. It was in her hands now. I wondered around the temple and soon found myself in the garden the prietess' kept. There was a large tree in the center and I sat under it, looking up at the sky. It wasn't long before the sun made my body warm, and my eyes drifted shut.

When I awoke, the sun was setting in the west, and I knew it was time to head home. My thoughts darkened at having to call for the guards. They were shadows I couldn't get rid of. A mischievous smile curved my lips and I slipped out of the temple. Just this once I was going to walk home on my own.

[Edited by LittleRedDevil on 01-23-2001 at 05:34 AM]

 

[Thor's Hammer]

OOC: no men in the temple.....

 

[LittleRedDevil]

OOC: There's always room for more characters.



[Edited by LittleRedDevil on 01-23-2001 at 06:03 AM]

 

[LittleRedDevil]

OOC: I edited my post. Now that I think about it, this will probably work better.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Thor

As I sipped my wine, I had fallen into conversation with a member of the Senate - Marius Aquinias. We dicussed the recent campaign and I accepted the praise that he heaped on me - although I modestly observed that the credit belonged to the soldiers of the XIX Legion.

As Marius strolled off the shadows had lenghtened. I glanced toward the Temple of Venus and, to my surprise, I saw Bella, my mentor's daughter, slipping out without her guards. "The silly girl," I thought. "The streets are dangerous for an unescorted woman." Gathering my toga about my shoulders and straightening my short sword, I set out after her - my mentor would be crushed if anything happened to his precious daughter. Glancing at the sun, I decided that I would be a bit late for my assignation with Agrippina. It is somewhat humorous that her husband was just singing my praises a few moments ago.....

 

[LittleRedDevil]

The colors and sounds of the marketplace made me laugh with glee. It wasn't very often that I got to come here, and it was a joy every time. The merchants didn't seem to see a young girl though. They seemed to see the rich quality of the fabric, and the golden medallion around my neck. It didn't matter though, I enjoyed the attention they gave to me, even if it was only to gain my coin. I sudden chill went down my spine. Someone was following me. I could feel their eyes on me, and I weaved in and out of the crowd trying to loose them.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Thor

I picked up the pace. Two of the serfs had already sized her up and were about to rip the medallion from around her neck when they saw me. Their obsequiousness was amusing. They would have slit my throat ear to ear for a bronze coin - but they knew better than to assult a member of Caesar's legions. The death they would suffer would be horrible - even to me.

She is weaving in and out. I close the gap....

 

[Sir Gottahave]

Italy

If you loved Gladiator, come visit me in Italy.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

I continued on my way, picking up the pace a little, but I could still feel the eyes watching me. I knew now why the guards followed me through the city. I let out a cry as a strong hand clamped around my arm and one over my mouth, and I was pulled into an alley. "Now you know what can happen to stupid little girls who decided they don't need an escourt."

I was released immediatly. When I spun around, I found myself staring at the arrogant face of General Thor.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Thor

"You would have been robbed, probably raped, and killed by now. At least two ruffians were following you. Never go about this city without your guards."

Now that I had chastized her, I looked, for the first time at her - really looked. Blue eyes, fair hair, not the usual coloring for a Roman. "If I have sounded harsh, forgive me. These eyes have seen too much blood and killing. Your father would kill half the citizens of Rome if anything happened to you."

Reaching my left hand out, I took her elbow and steered her back into the street. These streets - at night - are dangerous; even for a Roman general. My sword hand rested on the hilt of my well used blade. We walked briskly toward her house - set on a small hill in the heart of the city.

 

[Stranger]

OOC can I join, I was thinking of playing Thor's bodyguard, a muscular Nubian Slave?

 

[LittleRedDevil]

OOC: I'm leaving this one up to Thor, it would be his bodyguard.

 

[LittleRedDevil]

I could hardly speak as he lead me through the streets. Either the fates were playing a cruel game, or Goddess had heard my prayers and placed him in my path. I just didn't know what to do now that he was here.

"I now realize the error of my ways, General. And I thank you for escourting me home. I'm sure my father will be very pleased with you." I stopped and looked up at him, innocence shining in my eyes, "Would you care to join us as we sup? I'm sure father would love to hear more of your stories." no matter how much they turned my stomach, I thought, but didn't mention that. I doubted he would say yes, a many like him usually had asignations and would not want to dine with old men and virgins.

 

[Thor's Hammer]

Thor

OOC to stranger: Anyone is welcome, but as a General of a Legion, I would not have a slave as a bodyguard. And, you note, I had no one with me. Perhaps you might be already in the household as a guest? Up to the thread starter. (I do always like additional people).

IC: "Lady Bella, I would be honored - but, will I not be intruding? Your father may have other guests." I was thinking about by assignation with Agrippina - I am late already. But, I could always trump up a summons by Caesar - no one refuses those. I also was noticing her lovely young body in the brighter light - I wonder why I never noticed her before?

 

[LittleRedDevil]

OOC: Anyone is welcome to join. It makes the thread more interesting.


IC:

My smile was slow in coming as it dawned on me that he had excepted. "I know Father will want to thank you for escourting me home." We talking about nothing in particular, as we continued on our way. Reaching the entrance, I summoned a servant, "The good General will be joining us for dinner, and please inform my Father of this and that I have returned." I turned to the General, "Would you care to take a walk in the garden before dinner? It's beauty is unmatched anywhere else."

 

[Thor's Hammer]

General Thor

Although I had been in the house many times, I had never seen the garden. The house itself was tastefully understated. Statues of gods and goddesses adorned niches in the walls. The floor was mosaic tile; laid by hundreds of slaves, I am sure. Marble was everywhere as befit a house of my mentor's station.

I bowed to Bella and said I would be honored to have her escort me to the garden.

 

[Stranger]

OOc very well then, a Roman bodyguard then?

 

[LittleRedDevil]

The garden was my favorite place to be especially now, in the summer when everything was in bloom. I walked through the garden, stopping now and then to smell the flowers that adorned it. I snuck glances at the man next to me through my lashes. He really was a very handsome man. Somehow I had to grab and hold his attention. Fire seemed the best way, and just this once I was going to play with it.

"Do you have assignations with many men's wives?"