When in Rome...Do as the Romans: Sin and Virtue, part I (See OOC to join)

[The_gladiator]

Historians note: This story takes place during the age of the roman empire, during the reign of the ficticious emperor Tyfus

GM's Note: If interested in joining, please see the OOC section

This is the time of the roman empire, land of sin and virtue, where the world reached a level of technological marvels not seen again for nearly 1000 years.
Here, good things happened, here the bad occured too. From The reign of Augustus to the terror of Niro. This is the place called Rome. As started by Romulus, he raised of a she wolf, so it bares his name, and the accomplishments of its people, their virtue, their sin, shall never be forgotten.




Terinius Alcibiades Maxim

The sun beat down on the city of rome, a white hot infirno, powerful as the hearts of the people of rome, hot as their passion. The passion of this day was one of catharsis. The time when people could go watch their favorite sport, and in theory would not rise up against their leaders, because all their passion was channeled through these events. These were the events called "The Games". Inside the circus, it was just a game to most, but for a few; The struggle was very real, live or die.
Terinius Alcibiades Maxim stood in one of the slave gates to the arena. He looked out on the circular arena, with its rose upon rows of seats, and its circular sand floor, and of course, the death pits, which had walkways, where certain machines could be, or sometimes it was just a place where a gladiator could fall and break a leg. Sometimes even, there were great beasts, lions and such placed in these pits. Today, there were sharpened stakes in the bottom of the pits which were criscrossed with boards, planks that were just wide enough to walk on, if one was dexterous. Turning away from the gate, the gladiator suropticiously wiped his palm on his pants, disguising the action as his adjusting his grip on his spatha, the long sword that had made him famous. It had made him famous, because the most common gladiatorial weapon was either the tridant, or the gladius, but he prefered the spatha, it allowed him to compensate for the extreme reach of a tridant, or the hulking giants that usually made up the games. As he turned around he took in the sight of his teammates. They were fighting four on four today, as was growing more common. His two long-term partners Kassin, and Lucia stood on either side of him, as usual. The big black skinned Kassin was silent and impassive as usual, while Lucia had almost a look of hunger on her beautiful face, a look that shown in her green eyes. As he took in these two, he noted the fact that her brother's death showed not on her face. Lucia's twin brother Lucius had been killed in a match just the day before. They were to be getting a new team member today, but there hadn't been time to meet whom ever it was before the match, and who ever it was wasn't there yet. Was it hunger for revenge he saw on Lucia's face, for the man who had killed her brother would be facing them. Lucius had been fighting one on one, and lost. It was strange for the game master to break up the twins, because they were a favorite of the crowd. Now the crowd wanted to see Lucia triumph today, they favored Terinius's team, but also they wanted to see Lucia conduct revenge against Lucius's killer.
Terinius didn't speak to his two companions, he didn't need to. They knew they would do their duty, because they were slaves and that's what they did, it was kill or be killed, neither wanted, nor would they accept a "Pep Talk." All they could do was hope they survived, hope the new teammate could mesh with them, as Lucius had, and wait for the gate to open, and hell to begin.

 

[wideeyedone]

Cassian guided his pretty young wife through the crowd by her elbow. He didn't dislike her, he just was bored with convention. Why have a wife at this late age? He had already buried two. His sons were grown, he had heirs. He knew the emperor had hoped that a young wife would settle him. But Cassian had no desire to be settled. Being settled seemed a farce when death could be at hand. He was almost seventy... this girl... she was barely twenty... he was too old for her.

The crowd was loud and already raucous. In the emperial box the carousing had already begun. Wine was flowing and Cassian was sure to find a goblet. He showed Dessa to her seat. She hated the circus. the violence saddened her and frightened her. Her new life felt so daunting. Not what she had expected at all.

Cassian was excited that his favorite Gladiator, Lucia was fighting today. He floated off in the crowd to place a few wagers. Dessa could only shake her dark curls and wait. If she had been raised among the royal family she might have been confident enough to mingle. However, she sat on her perch smoothing her soft silk chiton and tucking a stray curl behind her ear and waiting.

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

Gaius and Drusus

"The Honorable Drusus Nero Gaulus Caeser"

The slave dutifully announced the presence of Drusus as he entered his Brother's private chambers. Drusus found himself nervous in anticipation, a feeling he had not felt when commanding the Empire's legions against scores of Huns or Gauls. He had not seen his brother in the 5 years since he'd joined the military and worried that the two may have grown apart in the years. Those fears, however, washed away as soon as Drusus caught sight of his brother.

"Brother!" Gaius exclaimed with delight as he caught sight of his twin. He approached Drusus and grasped him in a fierce embrace. Drusus grasped back, relieved to see his brother had been much the same as he'd ever been.

If one had looked at the two from the side, one would be hard pressed to see that they were identical twins. Drusus had darker hair, looked older and was dressed in the uniform of a general. There was a fierce determination in his speech and appearance. Gaius was fairer, his sculpted handsome face was uncreased and was wearing the robes of royalty. Despite the differences there was still the unmistakable bond of brotherhood between them.

"It has been too long" Drusus said as he stepped back from the embrace.

"It has. It really has" Gaius said as he looked at his brother in amazement "But you're here now and that's what's important."

Drusus nodded and smiled. He had enjoyed the military but now, to be back in Rome, it was a comfort he had not felt in years.

"And not just back, but a hero!" Gaius continued "Your victory over the Huns is being hailed as the Empire's greatest military achievement in 50 years. How many was it you defeated?"

"Nearly 100,000" Drusus nodded

"I see." Gaius said with some reserve "And you had how many of our fine soldiers in your command?"

"80,000"

On hearing the numbers, Gaius frowned slightly.

"What's wrong?" Drusus asked

"Well, I've been telling people that you defeated a force of 200,000 with only 30,000 at your command."

"Well, that would be untrue" Drusus said simply.

"Yes, but a good kind of falsehood." Gaius waived off the objections "The plebs love tales of a rousing example of Roman superiority. They honor you, demand feasts and games dedicated to Mars in your name. What matters numbers?"

"My men would know the difference, though" Drusus said quizzically.

"True, but what your men rather be known as? A group of 80,000 well armed Romans who beat back 100,000 crazed barbarians or a group of 30,000 valiant heroes who heroically defeated a much larger force? Throw the plebs a bone here, Brother."

"30,000 over 200,000 then" Drusus said with a hearty nod and a smile

The two brothers turned and began to walk through Gaius' opulent estate. The well appointed grounds were as impressive for their decorations and architectural grandness as they were with for veritable army of nubile young slave girls. Drusus found his attentions drawn by many of them of all different colours and sizes.

"Quite a house you have here brother" Drusus said as his eyes caught the ass of an African slave.

"Thank you" Gaius laughed as his own eyes caught the same ass

"Does Antonia not mind then?" Drusus looked to his brother with an eyebrow raised. Gaius' wife was the Emperor's daughter. For Gaius to keep a veritable harem seemed almost obscene

"Mind? She selected most of them. She takes as much pleasure from our female slaves as I do, believe me" Gaius laughed with a shake of his head

"Do you ever wonder what it says, dear Brother, that before your wedding our Cousin was a shy, virginal girl and since she's become a voracious lesbian?" Drusus shook his head. Antonia's proclivities had been revealed to him in a letter Gaius had sent him. It had surprised him that Gaius both knew and didn't seem to mind.

"Not really." Gaius shrugged honestly "It was always a matter of convenience and it's worked out beautifully for the two of us."

"Speaking of which, I should like to meet my nephew at some point" Drusus said, referring to the son that had been produced by Gaius and Antonia's one or two nights of wedded copulation

"You shall, you shall" Gaius agreed. "The whole family will be here to celebrate your return. There will be games and feasts. It is so good to have you back"

The two stood and looked around what had been their old family home, now Gaius' home.

"I suppose being heir to the throne has it's advantages." Drusus said, still marveling at the combination of gardens, furniture and slaves.

"You're not upset about Uncle choosing me his heir, are you?" Gaius asked with some concern "I know you're the great general but I have served as consul and, as the older brother...."

"Older by six minutes" Drusus said quickly

"But older still"

"No, worry not" Drusus smiled sincerely "Being Emperor is far too grand for the likes of me. Better to one who has experience negotiating the senate and it's endless prattle."

Gaius knowingly rolled his eyes.

"I've prepared your room, Brother. We'll dine together as soon as the Emperor arrives"

"He's coming here?" Drusus was generally surprised. He had thought that the Emperor would have much to do.

"Like I told you. The whole family will be celebrating."

 

[caela]

The household was in an uproar. With the return of their Master's brother everything had to be just perfect and the maids would have pressed Lyssira into service if the head cook himself hadn't made it clear that anyone who tried to take her from the kitchen would lose body parts. He set her to chopping and dicing and smiled to himself at her neat, even. slices. It was one of her more common jobs in the kitchen as the head cook liked the meticulous way she took to the job.

"You should have been a cook Lyssira," he lamented not for the first time. "What the gods were thinking sending you to a tutor..."

"They were thinking you were going to need an assistent who would drive you mad on such occassions as this one," she teased with a laugh and a grin at the much older man.

"Sassy! Just remember girl that, unless you want to end up in one of our Master's entertainments, you'll remain in the kitchen's tonight. There's bound to be partying and carousing to all hours once the wine starts flowing freely."

"Of course Claudio," she agreed and shuddered at the thought of ending up in one of her Master's games. She'd managed to gaurd her virginity this long and intended to gaurd it a bit longer. Oh she'd give it up eventually but she still had the romantic notion to be in love when she did. "I'll remain in the kitchens tonight," she promised.

"Good girl," the cook said with a smile and turned his attention from his assisstent to his work on the evenings feast.

 

[badbabysitter]

The Emperor slumped almost immediately into his seat, but before his purple armoured guard could move to assist, the lithe woman beside him had.

" Please my love, you must stand, the heat is too strong today"

The mightiest man in the empire gave a wan smile to this young beauty. Emperor Tyfus was tired and the day was hot, but his dear Messalina was always there from him.

" What would I do without you my love?"

" Probably have lost the Atticus merchant treaty" the woman said with a sly smile.

Beautiful and brilliant. Yes , he had heard the rumours. But since his coronation , he had lead a peaceful reign, and his dead cousins enemies were just as dead now, thanks to her.And they were only rumours, jealousy of an old man with a woman less then half his age.

And the things she had shown him!

But still , only rumours..weren't they?

" Your Majesty, the games beg your opening" a purple clad Praetonian interjected.

" Messalina..?" he asked half exhausted

" Of course my love"

The small young woman stepped forward to the fron of the box, flanked by the black and purple armored Praetorian, the elite personal guard of the Emperor. And the crowd began to howl inpreperation

Untill they saw her, and it half died, and murmurs began. Yet, many more frenzied calls came to the newly popular "empress"

" The Emperor thanks his loyal subjects and Mars for these honoured games, he has already given himself such a great seat that he wishes me to speak so as to get to betting quicker"

Many howls of laughter.

Yes, she certainly does have the common touch, but will they accept a woman that has borne him no heir? Is all Tyfus thought

" In the name of the Empire, of the Eternal City, the Emperor and the Gods themselves, I DECLARE THESE GAMES OPEN!"

She threw a lurel of the balcony and into the sands of the pit to the approvel of the crowd.

She then turned back to her husband and came to sit beside him.

" Masterfully dawn Messallina, but one can not always use the common touch. they respect strength.." tyfus began gesturing for wine

" Bah, they respect men, not strength.. as a child my *dear cousing Caligual brough me to these games while you were off pursuing lions in the deserts for sport" she took a sip of the deep red wine and continued

" one day he brough that cult,..Christian I believe their called.. and crucified 60 of them.. covered them with pitch and set them aflame for night races of his chariots.." a sick sneer came to her face, " and they loved him for it"

" my dear Messallina" Tyfus set his hand on hers, he knew well the traums the mad emepror inflicted on his young wife

" With me, I have scattered his remaining allies, advised the right legions to the right places, broken the stranglehold of the guilds..and do they respect that" she said pointing a goblet to the audience , " ..no, they see only a woman who may or may not be able to bear the Emperors heir because of the ravages of an emperor they even wanted slain"

The two sat in silence for a while watching the first non bloodsports of harmless mummers.

"We must away to Gais manor tonight, Druss has returned, and we hold a feast"

She thought about the chiseled men, perhaps if her husband could not kindle her, that maybe one of her own *sons" could. It would certainly be a pleasurable experience. And she smiled almost impishly at the thought

" of course my love, i wouldnt miss it for the world"

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

Gaius and Drusus

The two men had made their way to one of the gardens they sat and ate at a tray of olives and cheese that had been brought to them. Both men sipped at wine as slaves fanned the heat off of them.

"Fantastic food, brother. My thanks" Drusus said as he popped an olive into his mouth.

"Think nothing of it. We have a new man working the kitchen, Greek I think. Does good work" Gaius shrugged as he took a sip of his wine. Drusus followed suit

"Excellent wine as well" Drusus said, meaning every word.

"Beats army life, I should imagine."

"You have no idea" Drusus exclaimed "The wine, the food, the women...."

Drusus' eyes had again been caught by the slave fanning them. She looked eastern and, like all the others, was gorgeous. He thought back to the women that had been available to him as a General in a distant territory and shook his head in disgust.

"How do you manage to buy all of these beautiful women?" Drusus inquired. He figured that they must all have been amongst the most sought after slaves in all of Rome.

"I have men working the markets. They know my tastes, Antonia's tastes and they have arrangements with the men who run the markets. They explain it's for me and work out a fair price." Gaius explained carefully.

"That consular authority being well utilized I see." Drusus joked

"Absolutely, Brother. By purchasing all of the beautiful slaves myself, I like to think that I'm encouraging other Romans to do the decent thing and bed their wives." Gaius said in utter sincerity "I'm fostering an era of moral virtue."

The two brothers laughed. Drusus always marveled at the way Gaius could speak with such ease.

"Speaking of moral virtue, how is dear Messalina?" Drusus asked sarcastically. Messalina's growing importance in the Empire was a source of contention between the two brothers. Drusus had always disliked her influence on their Uncle, felt it improper for her to wield so much authority. Gaius admired her. Despite being a woman her decisions made far more sense than their Uncles ever had. Also, Gaius had a powerful desire to fuck Messalina which always influenced how much esteem he viewed a woman with.

"A boon to the Empire as before" Gaius said with conviction. "I tell you, there was a dispute a month back between Marcus Brennius and Pavlio Regulus that was really turning into a pox on the whole of the senate. Messalina visited both men and, soon after, the two men were the best of friends. Don't know how she did it"

Drusus nodded. Despite his dislike for her involvement in the process, he had to admit she'd done well in supporting Tyfus.

"You're not worried about her producing a male heir?"

Gaius waived the thought off as if it was nonsense

"Even if she does have a son, I was proclaimed heir and adopted when I married Antonia. I am Tyfus' son. Any child the two of them produce will be behind me in line for the throne." Gaius spoke as if he'd thought on the matter a great deal.

The two men continued eating and chatting about times gone by. They spoke of older days and friends. About future plans and the state of the empire. After a while, Gaius rose and stretched.

"Well, I think I'd like to get in a good fuck before tonight." Gaius said as simply as one might say they would take a walk "Care to join me?"

Drusus looked at his brother with a mix of confusion and horror. Gaius was confused himself before he realized what he'd said

"With a different girl, of course"

Drusus smiled, relieved, before shaking his head.

"No, I should think I'd like to rest. It's been a long ride."

"Well, alright" Gaius shrugged "But don't be like you were, hiding in your room, studying books of old battles. Everyone wants to see Rome's valiant hero. The conqueror of the North. You're very popular at the moment.

"Of course. I did, after all, defeat an army of a million fierce Huns with only two soldiers, a blind child and half a horse." Drusus said in a humourously valiant tone

"That's the spirit" Gaius agreed as he beckoned for the slave fanning the two men to come with him "If you do change your mind about the girl, just ask one."

 

[The_gladiator]

Terinius Alcibiades Maxim

The raizor's edge, or so their team was known as stood and waited as they watched the fights happening before them. Most of these were inconsequential and the three ignored them.
Time wore on, and still, the fourth member of their team did not show up. Finally the deep voice of Kassin broke the silence, "Are we to fight outnumbered, Maxim?" hhe asked the team leader. Terinius shook his head, "Your guess is as good as mine." he said.
"It would be just like them, after what they've done to us already." Lucia said, her tone cold. Terinius offered her a glance, but the comment needed no reply. The silence resumed and finally Terinius spoke once more. The empress will probably be anouncing our fight soon, we are the culminating event."
Kassin spat, "When are we not, at least we are not playing exicutioners for the emperor this day." he rumbled. The other two nodded, all three remembered when they were required to kill a batch of political prisoners dressed in gladiatorial garb, and holding swords, but the truth was, their apponents would not have been able to hit them if they had stood still and allowed it.
"The call comes now I believe." said Terinius looking out to the emperor's box.

Meanwhile above, a man approached Kassian. "You wish to bet on Lucia?" he asked, "I'm afraid you cannot bet on her this day. You still owe me a lot of money, and since I own her and her team mates, I do not want you betting with me." he said. "You must bet against them, if you lose," he smiled, "You owe me even more money, or something of equivalent value, and, if I lose, I will anull your debt, this time." the man, who was a slick gambler and one of the most rich individuals around who was not in the royal family. "So, do you agree Kassian?" he asked the elderly drunkerd husband to young Dessa.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Honorius knew exactly which of his gladiators to send into combat in the arena today....and he made sure to watch intently...

Male Gladiators would include Cimmerius and Varius, twin brothers from across the Euxine Sea....both Cimmerians....as well as the Persian gladiator Asiaticus....real scarcities, those....

One female gladiator, since he didn't wish to risk all of them....a tall, Amazonian-looking Pictish girl known only as Calendonia, after her native land....she wore blue paint and nothing else, as she wielded her battle-axe in the arena...

 

[The_gladiator]

Honorius knew exactly which of his gladiators to send into combat in the arena today....and he made sure to watch intently...

Male Gladiators would include Cimmerius and Varius, twin brothers from across the Euxine Sea....both Cimmerians....as well as the Persian gladiator Asiaticus....real scarcities, those....

One female gladiator, since he didn't wish to risk all of them....a tall, Amazonian-looking Pictish girl known only as Calendonia, after her native land....she wore blue paint and nothing else, as she wielded her battle-axe in the arena...

"I see our apponents," Terinius said dispassionately, although his insides tightened, "The blue woman, the persian, ant the twins." he said in short clipped frazes. He knew their names of course, but names weren't important right now. If one detached themselves from names, it made it easier when the time came to kill them.
"Do you see the empress yet?" Asked Kassin, who eyed his tridant, preparing for battle, trusting that anything out in the arena worth seeing would be told to him by Terinius. "Not just yet, but it will come soon." commented the leader of the raizor's Edge as he gazed across the way, and caught the eye of the pursian, the aposing team leader. There was much said in that glance, one of them would not leave the arena alive.
"The woman is yours Kassin." he said finally.
the black man only nodded, none of them relished the killing, but that's how it went.
"Confound her weapon." Terinius offered. But then fell silent, he didn't need to tell his companion how to fight.
"Lucia, the twins are yours, we'll watch your back." Also unnecessary, but he felt drawn to talk, to say something, he knew that she would have gone for the twins anyway, one of which had stolen her twin brother from her just the day before.
And the silence resumed, awaiting the call of battle.

 

[wideeyedone]

Cassian returned to Dessa's side as the games were about to begin. He jingled the coins he carried as he waited. He looked even more nervous about his wagers than usual. Cassian smelled of wine already, his eyes watery, his nose and cheeks bright red as he waved at passers by.

Dessa knew that he had already run through his allotment for the month. She would have to figure out a way to stretch what little funds she had tucked away. She shook her head as she thought about what her life had become, gone from a priviledged daughter and reduced to trying to keep this stubborn, willful old man from causing his own ruin. He had never been unkind to her, but he was indifferent. She knew the marriage was not of his making or to his own liking.

Dessa had shared his bed on their marriage night, but since then he had made it clear she could stay in her own chamber. He would pat her head and kiss her cheek and send her on to bed on her own. She found herself wondering why she wasn't pleasing to him, why he held no hunger for her.

Dessa closed her eyes and listened to the crowd. The breeze cool against her skin, she imagined herself back on her father's estate, far away from the city, far away from the noise of the circus, the blood of the games.

"Little One," Cassian whispered. "Pray I win my wager." He held up a gold coin to her lips and had her kiss it for luck. She felt her stomach tighten, she felt sure that something awful was going to happen.

 

[caela]

"Claudio!" one of the maids all but hollered as she came running into the kitchen startling both the cook and Lyssira. "We have to borrow Lyssira! Gaius took the girl that was tending to him and Drusus and the rest of us are scattered with things that must be done before the feast tonight. You're perfectly capable of fixing this meal yourself, you just like making Lyssira do the grunt work."

The cook looked less than pleased as the maid rushed through her explanation but since Lyssira already had most of the "grunt work", as she'd called it, done he had little reason to keep her in the kitchens. Especially when the Master's own brother had been left unattended.

"All right. Go Lyssira but as soon as someone else is freed up I want you back here," he all but growled and she nodded her head.

If Claudio couldn't think of a reason to keep her there was no argument she could make that would save her from having to attend. Having spent her entire life in upper class homes she'd been well trained to serve, she simply managed to avoid it most of the time by being willing to do the menial chores that no one else wanted to do. It had well sufficed to keep her off her Master's radar though it now looked like that particular tactic might fail if she couldn't make it back to the kitchens in time.

Making her way out to the garden with a fresh jug of wine, she tried to keep her fingers from trembling as she approached Drusus. The maid had apparently been ill informed as there was still at least one slave fanning her Masters brother but there was no one seeing to his wine glass and she sighed softly knowing she wouldn't be able to just run away.

"Good afternoon Master," she said formally as she sank gracefully to her knees just to the side of his couch. "Might I be of some small service, would you care for more fruit or wine?" she asked hefting the wine jug slightly and deliberatly keeping her eyes downcast, hoping he wouldn't get ideas for any sort of service she didn't care to perform.

 

[SEVERUSMAX]

Honorius...

"Alright, boys and, you, Calendonia....I want you to teach these fellows a lesson. Killing the one twin won't do it. The other, as lovely as she is, will have to go down. Don't think of her beauty. Think of what she'll do to you, if you don't kill her first. This is combat, as surely as on any battlefield. Save your skins first. There are plenty of lovely women to bed in Rome. Don't worry about the loss of one pretty gladiator. The only female gladiator that we need to protect is Cali here, and she can take care of herself. She's a warrior, too," Honorius pointed to the redhaired, blue-painted Pictish giantess who stood among them...

"Now, boys and Cali, go for the jugular and take them down! This is war! Go get 'em!" Honorius practically preached at them, out of habit....he had once been a Christian priest, after all....

...Honorius, meanwhile, looked to his slave girls, ready to bed the prettiest and most compliant of them...what he personally liked....why he didn't mind risking some Amazons now and then...

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

Drusus

Drusus was lost in his own thoughts when he head the voice of the slave.

"Good afternoon Master," she said formally as she sank gracefully to her knees just to the side of his couch. "Might I be of some small service, would you care for more fruit or wine?"

My word Drusus again found himself being hopelessly distracted by the beauty of the house slave. He could not believe how Gaius had managed to buy so many of what must be the most beautiful girls in the city. Long blonde hair, fair of skin and with an alluring shape. Drusus couldn't guess as to her race. Greek maybe? Assyrian?

"Yes, thank you" Drusus accepted the offer of more wine. The thank you he'd added was more than likely unnecessary but Drusus had found himself, of late, finding less and less time for the conventions of Roman society. He'd fought for 7 years and had learned in the army that notions of class superiority were often measurably false. Many of the aristocratic generals and officers he'd served with were useless idiots. Many of the men, some former slaves or the children of slaves, had fought with unmatched ferocity and ingenuity. They had fought and bled for Rome. Civility was a small kindness he could pay.

Drusus was lost in his dissertation about the proper treatment of slaves when he realized he hadn't specified what he was saying yes to. What did the girl mean by the offering of services? Had she just offered to bed him? It would have been very much like Gaius to have one of his slaves offer sex.

"Wine, please." Drusus quickly distinguished "I would like some more wine, thank you"

He couldn't deny that he did want to sleep with the girl but, well, he was very tired. As well, his turn towards treating slaves civilly seemed at odds with demanding sex from them.

"But stay, as well." Drusus smiled, his hard aristocratic face breaking into one of it's least common positions "I may like some more"

 

[caela]

"Wine, please." Drusus quickly distinguished "I would like some more wine, thank you"

Lyssira couldn't help but to smile slightly as this stranger quickly clarified what he was asking for. It was so out of character for most of the visitors who came to the house. Most of them barely acknowledged that the slaves were there unless they wanted something from one of them...and then it was usually a barked order. The "thank you" was a nice touch and it made her wonder when the last time someone had shown her such a simply courtesy was. That she couldn't remember bothered her.

"But stay, as well." Drusus smiled, his hard aristocratic face breaking into one of it's least common positions "I may like some more"

"Yes Master," she murmured softly and returned his smile with a shy one of her own. Pushing up slightly to a higher kneel she deftly poured him a fresh goblet of wine before settling quietly back on her heels once more. She wasn't quite certain what to do once the wine was poured and had to fight to keep from fidgeting nervously.

In this household she was well aware that the longer she was away from the safety of the kitchens the more likely it was that one of Gaius' guests would demand use of her. Some of the girls actually relished that particular duty as catching the eye of one of Gaius guests had allowed more than one of them to recieve presents and bauble they wouldn't otherwise have and lucky one or two had actually been given expensive enough gifts to buy their freedom with.

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

"Fuck fuck fuck" Gaius grunted. He was in his study again but this time, the nubile body of a Persian slave was riding him fiercely. Her large proud breasts bounced invitingly as her cunt rose and fell on Gaius' large cock. Soon he found himself nearing his finish and grasped the girl's buttocks to speed her efforts. Eventually, the tight slickness of her cunt proved to be enough for him to cum, groaning as he did. He felt his cock spurt inside her deeply before collapsing back against his seat. When he'd regained his composure he noticed that Antonia had come into the room and watched some or all of his performance.

"Hello dear" Gaius said with a smile as the Persian girl dismounted him, leaving the room.

"Enjoy yourself, husband?" Antonia said with an even deadpan. Gaius nodded wholeheartedly as he sipped at a mug of water.

"I did. I don't believe I've had that one before. New?"

"Indeed. I picked her out a few days ago." Antonia nodded as her eyes followed the girl out of the room. "Didn't look like she enjoyed herself much."

"Mmmm?"

"Well, you finished so quickly, I don't believe the girl had any real satisfaction from it."

"What difference would that make to me? I enjoyed myself." Gaius said with a laugh.

"An attitude I find distinctly familiar." Antonia said as she rolled her eyes

"A fine wedding night it was" Gaius nodded with agreement as he thought about the one time he'd slept with his wife.

"The kind every girl dreams about, surely" Antonia said sarcastically. Despite the venom in their comments, there was a great deal of affection between the two. They had been friends, not lovers, when they'd married and the birth of little Aurelius had only cemented a respectful friendship.

"She is a bit of a tiger though, that one" Gaius said, his thoughts drifting back to the fuck he'd just engaged in.

"Mmmmmm" Antonia agreed, lost in her own thoughts "You should hear the noises she makes when she cums. Delicious"

"One day. When I'm bored perhaps" Gaius shrugged before turning back to the work he'd been doing "Is there a reason you had for coming in here? Or are you merely adding voyeurism to your list of sexual deviancy?"

"Does a wife need a reason to visit her beloved husband?" Antonia said with a mockingly wounded tone

"Just get on with it." Gaius said, annoyed.

"My father and his wife are coming tonight?" Antonia asked in a manner that implied that she knew the answer. The tone she took when referring to Messalina was none to admirable either.

"Careful dear, your claws are showing" Gaius smiled "But yes, they are."

"And you didn't consult me?"

"No. Why would I?" Gaius asked with some bewilderment.

"Just as a common courtesy. So I can make sure to buy a few of the better hung male slaves to busy her" Antonia said, the venom in her voice showing.

"What is it with you and Drusus?" Gaius shook his head. "She's a perfectly lovely woman."

"Gaius, I'm serious"

"As am I." Gaius shook his head with a smile "Look, I know you don't like her and while I'm tempted to say that your unreasonable dislike is the result of a latent desire to bed her, like Drusus' is, you have a responsibility to be civil. The happier she is, the happier the Emperor is. The happier he is, the happier I am. The happier I am, the better the world turns. So simply track down the Persian slave, do what ever it is you do with her and relax. They'll only be here briefly"

"Briefly?" Antonia asked hopefully

"Well, I don't know. He's the emperor. If he wants to stay, I can't very well kick him out. Anyways, best bet is to just deal with your feelings of dislike and wait patiently until you're Empress and controlling my every decision. Then you can do with her as you like."

This brought a bit of a smile to his wife's face and she smiled and left the room, perhaps off in search of that Persian girl. Gaius just shook his head in disbelief. There's no reasoning with women.

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

Drusus

Drusus couldn't help but smile as the girl poured more wine into his cup. She was a pretty thing to be sure. Drusus tried resting but found himself ill at ease. Being attended to once seemed such a simple thing, a basic fact of his life and status. Now, though, with two beautiful slave girls with him, one kneeling at her feet and the other fanning him, he felt somewhat uncomfortable. He was unused to being fawned over.

Rather than sending them away, though, Drusus thought he might try a trick from his army days. If a soldier had seemed tense or nervous, Drusus would forget his station and ask the man simple questions. Where he was from, what his father had done. It seemed to put men at ease, make them think they were fighting for friends and countrymen rather than the wealth of a faceless nobility. He also knew that many Masters and Slaves developed friendly relations. His mother's house slave had served them 20 years and seemed a closer friend to his mother than anyone else.

"So, uh, girl" Drusus had struggled for a word to refer to her as. Girl seemed appropriate "What is your name? Where are you from? I couldn't quite guess."

 

[caela]

"So, uh, girl" Drusus had struggled for a word to refer to her as. Girl seemed appropriate "What is your name? Where are you from? I couldn't quite guess."

Lyssira started slightly when he actually addressed her. She hadn't expected him to talk to her! For a moment his words actually made no sense as her brain tried to assimilate the fact that he was actually asking her questions like a normal human instead of treating her like just another slave.

"I'm Lyssira, Master," she finally answered at last. "I was born in Rome herself to a tutor and his wife. My mother died in childbed and my father sold me not long after to be the companion of a child he was then tutoring."

Realizing she was likely to start rambling and that she was going into territory he hadn't asked about she simply snapped her mouth shut and remained quiet once more. If it had been one of the other slaves asking her questions she would have asked a few of her own but this wasn't another slave but her Master's own brother! Just because he was bored enough to ask personal questions of her didn't mean he would take it kindly if she started asking questions of him.

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

Drusus

The girl had taken quite some time to answer the question. The shocked, startled look on her face initially caused Drusus to believe, perhaps, that the girl was simple and may not have understood the question. He wouldn't have put it past Gaius to keep a simple girl around for pleasure if she was beautiful enough. These thoughts were put to rest when the girl eventually.

"I'm Lyssira, Master," she finally answered at last. "I was born in Rome herself to a tutor and his wife. My mother died in childbed and my father sold me not long after to be the companion of a child he was then tutoring."

"Ah" Drusus said as she stopped, her words flowing from her like a river. It sounded like a tragic tale. To be sold into bondage by one's own father. Terrible thing. Still, Drusus knew that some men resorted to such things when they accrued gambling debts or some such.

Still, as far as slave lives went, Gaius' slaves seemed to have a good shake of things. It appeared as though they were well fed enough, they didn't have to do back breaking labour, the worst they had to put up with were the sexual advances of the master and the mistress of the house. Drusus was about to say as such when he realized how moronic saying she had a good life for a slave would sound.

"Well, lovely day anyway." Drusus finally sputtered out. He had never been gifted with words the way Gaius was. He could speak to Gaius but that was only after years of practice. He felt a hunger gnawing at him. The meal he'd shared with his brother had been pleasant but unsatisfying. He looked back to the girl, Lyssira.

"Tell me, Lyssira. Is there meat in the house? I don't want to appear greedy or anything but I'm a soldier, this is senator food." Drusus again smiled at her.

 

[Britwitch]

Nya

Nya paused for a moment to wipe an errant lock of hair from her eyes, balancing the neatly folded linens on one hip. Since the sun had risen she had been kept busy, helping move furniture, bring in fresh food and wine, moving the fresh linens to the bedrooms in case Master Gaius' guests decided to stay or chose to rest. Her delicate nose wrinkled slightly at the thought of her 'Master'. She had not been in his household long and hadn't yet shown enough submissiveness to wait upon him or his guests, and she had no intention of starting.

Being bought at the market had been degrading enough but to surrender to the ideals of her owners seemed something she couldn't bear to consider doing. She knew she had been selected and purchased simply for her appearance and she didn't doubt the time would soon arrive when she would have to serve Gaius and Antonia, or whoever else she was ordered to, in a more intimate fashion. She wasn't as innnocent as some of the slaves were, she had been very much in love and had shared her bedchamber with the man she loved on several occassions but her future husband had gone off to war and never returned. Giving her another reason to detest the Romans.

Sighing, she continued with her chores, carrying the linens carefully so as not to crease or smudge them. Her mind occupied with plans of escape and not on the path ahead, wandering almost aimlessly through the corridors as a result and swiftly finding herself lost.
"Curses..." She muttered, stopping and looking furtively around. She could see the garden out of a window and knew she could probably find her way from there but she could also hear voices floating on the air from outside.
Nya bit her bottom lip slightly, better to be seen walking through the garden than to be challenged for not working hard enough. Fixing her green eyes on the linens in her arms, she walked out into the garden, intending to stay close to it's edges and return to the main house without getting into trouble.

 

[caela]

"Tell me, Lyssira. Is there meat in the house? I don't want to appear greedy or anything but I'm a soldier, this is senator food." Drusus again smiled at her.

The question and his almost sheepish smile as he asked it made her laugh softly and return his smile with a warm one of her own as she answered, "Indeed Master there is meat in the kitchens. Most simply don't dare Claudio's wrath to get to it. If you'll excuse me for but a moment I'll beard the lion in his den and return with something more substantial for you to eat."

At his nod she rose gracefully and settled the wine jug near his couch so that he could refill his goblet if he needed. As she slipped away her steps were light and she was utterly unaware of the gentle swaying of her hips with each step.

Once out of sight of Drusus her steps became swifter as she moved down through the house with a sense of purpose about her that kept others back from her. Reaching the kitchen she waved off whatever Claudio was going to say and explained that she needed a plate of meat and cheeses for Drusus. Where he might have yelled at anyone else for invading his kitchen on a feast day he simply helped her to make up the plate, dropped a kiss to the top of her head, and told her to be careful.

Still smiling from the way the old cook treated her, more like a father than her own had been, she slipped quietly back into the gardens and sank gently to her knees beside Drusus couch once more while raising the plate toward him.

"Here is something a bit more substantial to carry you through until the feast Master."

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

"Indeed Master there is meat in the kitchens. Most simply don't dare Claudio's wrath to get to it. If you'll excuse me for but a moment I'll beard the lion in his den and return with something more substantial for you to eat."

Drusus nodded his approval. He knew there would be some that would have been shocked by the familiarity that the girl had shown towards him but Drusus couldn't. Her smile and her laugh were far too bewitching for him to show any kind of disapproval. As he walked her swaying hips as she left, Drusus began to feel a powerful sense of lust overtaking him. He'd been in the military for so long and his absence from release was now weighing on him heavily.

He tried to focus his mind on something besides his growing sexual urges. He briefly wished he was the type of man who simply could demand sexual favours. It would certainly make the swelling he was experiencing disappear. Drusus shifted uncomfortably in his seat and looked out into the garden. His attention was distracted very momentarily by one of Gaius' apple trees but then, another slave girl came walking by. Their eyes met and he gave her the same shy smile he'd been wearing since he'd arrived. This was was as much of a sight as the others. Dark brown hair, large breasts and.....

"Here is something a bit more substantial to carry you through until the feast Master."

Drusus' staring at the slave girl was interrupted by the return of Lyssira, kneeling before him. Her words and her position only added to his problem. He could clearly see the outline of her figure.

Something more substantial to feast on indeed Was the thought ran through his head but it was not his voice. It was something Gaius would have said. Drusus reached out his hand to the plate. He so very much wanted to reach beyond the plate and grab the girl by her honey blonde hair, throw her over his bench and...

"Bath. A cold bath. That's what I need" Drusus exclaimed nervously. "I must be a frightful look and smell from the ride."

"A very, very cold bath." Drusus said again "Do you do that, Lyssira?"

 

[Britwitch]

Nya had almost made it across the garden apparently unnoticed when she glanced up and her eyes met those of a young man seated on one of the garden's bench. He smiled at her, a shy, genuine expression and one that was almost forgotten to her. It had been so long since anyone had looked at her with any kind of friendliness. Her steps faltered for a moment but the return of another servant broke the brief connection between them and Nya quickly forced her eyes back to the linens and continued through the garden.

She soon found the room she had been seeking and deposited the clean linens with the servants within it, being handed a large bundle of soiled ones to take to be washed. Nya frowned slightly but refrained from comment as she left and headed back towards the washing room.

Footsteps coming towards her along the corridor made her glance up and then freeze. It was Antonia. Nya made sure she bowed her head sufficiently to prevent their eyes meeting and to make some attempt at the proper behaviour of a slave. Antonia feet passed her and Nya let out a breath she hadn't been aware she had been holding when a crisp voice sent a shiver down her spine.

"You...you're new aren't you...?"
It wasn't a really a question and Nya knew enough to know she should remain silent, keeping her response to turning in the direction of the Mistress of the house. A hand moved to take hold of Nya's chin, raising it so Antonia could appraise her face.

"I can see why Gaius wanted you but I can also see why you are not ready to serve...just yet..." Antonia added bitingly as Nya made sure she didn't look into the taller woman's eyes.
"...Shame..." The Mistress mused, running her fingers from Nya's chin, down her neck and over her chest, letting them play back and forth over her breast for a moment or two. Nya bit down on her tongue hard to stop herself from recoiling or from saying something that would no doubt earn her a lashing.
"...Although I think I may have to sample you before my husband..." Antonia mused while Nya trembled, another shiver dancing down her spine as her Mistress' fingers teased her nipple beneath her clothing.

"Make sure fresh linens are placed in Master Drusus' room..." Antonia instructed brusquely, finally withdrawing her hand and walking away.
"Yes Mistress..." Nya replied meekly, turning swiftly around and scurrying towards the washing room. Her insides taut with anger and her face flushed with embarassment as she wordlessly deposited the soiled linens and collected fresh ones to take to Drusus' room. Her footsteps steady and as angry as she dared to allow them to be.
How she hated this life.

 

[caela]

"A very, very cold bath." Drusus said again "Do you do that, Lyssira?"

Lyssira looked up startled at his request. Every curse she knew was flying through her head as she tried to think of how to answer him. The honest truth was that yes she could draw a bath but it was a duty, like so many others, that she had managed to avoid because she was frightened of just where it might lead.

Finally she decided to temporize, "Yes Master, I'm capable of drawing you a cold bath if you wish though I've not been fully trained in bathing duties. If you truly wish to be clean and refreshed though, perhaps you would prefer a warm bath to sooth the aches of a long ride home?"

It was a simple enough suggestion and one that made sense to her. If she was going to have to bath him she didn't want to end up frozen doing it and she didn't want the cold water tightening her nipples and giving him more reason to stare. She'd seen cold water used as a means of seduction before (her Owners were quite clever according to the other slaves in the house) and didn't want to fall prey to it herself.

 

[DJ_Wordplay]

"Yes Master, I'm capable of drawing you a cold bath if you wish though I've not been fully trained in bathing duties. If you truly wish to be clean and refreshed though, perhaps you would prefer a warm bath to sooth the aches of a long ride home?"

Drusus nodded blankly. If this had been a male slave, quibbling with one of his orders as a general, he would have meted out a stern physical retribution. But the truth was that Lyssira probably knew the household and roman society better than he did.

"A compromise then. A lukewarm bath." Drusus said as he stood and rose. He hoped his excitement would not be visible to the girl. Truth was the temperature of the thing didn't matter much to him. "Lead on then, whatever bathing duties you've been trained in will be sufficient, I'm sure."

Drusus didn't fully understand what she'd meant by that. Surely she'd bathed herself. Finally it dawned on Drusus that asking a slave in his Brothers household to give him a bath was probably taken as asking to sleep with her. He caught her discomfort at the question and tried to rectify the situation.

"Just a bath though. Not whatever it is my Brother may have when he's bathing."

 

[wideeyedone]

Cassian leapt to his feet the moment Lucia and her team took the field. His cheeks flushed, his eyes wide in excitement. Dessa couldn't help but feel a little jealous of his excitement.

The sounds of the games rose to their place in the circus. The clattor of steel mixed with the hollering voices of the crowd. It seemed as if every other soul was caught in the drama of the moment. But Dessa didn't even look. It was better for her not to look. If she watched the games she felt as if she knew the gladiators a little bit when they died. She would wince as they were wounded and she would feel tears sting her eyes as they fell.

The royal family thought her empathy was child like and endearing. "Darling, sweet Dessa" Tyfus himself had called her when he saw her tears. But they angered Cassian. "See, you have wed me off to a child." His exasperation with her, not little at all.

"Damn... Damn... I can not lose this wager, Dessa." Cassian whispered as the gladiators took their places. Dessa looked at Lucia for but a moment. Lucia's strength and athleticism was apparent. She also knew her skills were paramount. There was no competing if that is what her husband desired. Dessa still did not realize it was the thrill of the gambling, the chance of the big win that drew Cassian in, not the hard, sculpted body of the lovely gladiatrix.