[IC] Rome

[RomanAria]

Aemiliana nodded, smiling at Pentalius. "Thank you, Pentalius, for everything you've done for me." She rose on tiptoe and gave him a kiss on the cheek, then turned away so he wouldn't see her blushing. She had pursued Evandrus only because she was expected to, but secretly she'd always admired the wise young man who was now her protector. She remembered when she had first gone to the academy, she had been ten years old and scared out of her wits, and in the first class she'd gone to, beginning oration, she'd been seated by him. He'd shared the notes from the beginning of the year with her and helped her catch up before the first tests, and he'd kept the other students' attention effectively away from her. Realizing that Pentalius had left with a comment about a servant, she decided that now was as good a time as any to take stock of what she had on her. Her purse that had a few coins left in it from her last shopping trip, her notes on reading assignments, and a handful of odd trinkets (sparkly rocks, beads, amulets, and so on); the clothes she wore; the sandals she had taken off downstairs; and the necklace she always kept under her dress. She fished that out from inside her tunic, admiring the charms. Aemilia had taken her on a shopping trip when she was four, and had promptly ditched her at a table of shiny things. She had panicked, and the owner of that table had taken pity on her and given her a tiny marble charm of the goddess Roma to calm her down. A pale-skinned woman with black hair and violet eyes, draped in an elegant violet gown, reaching down as if helping a kneeling person to rise. Then, on her eleventh birthday, she had found an even littler charm on her pillow: One of herself, down to the short undyed tunic and scars on her legs and arms, kneeling but reaching and looking up as if to grasp something. The two figurines hung on her necklace along with a few silver beads and a couple of tiny amethyst crystals. She'd never told anyone, not her sister, certainly not her father, about the necklace. She'd thought they would confiscate it if they knew. She didn't need to hide it anymore; she laid the thin cord on top of her dress. Her search of her pockets done, she went to the orderly row of books on the desk and picked out the first volume of Andromachus's medical encyclopedia, intending to soak up as much new knowledge as she possibly could.

[viktor]

Titus Junius Antonious AD 69, Roman Forum

I hate this city. everything about it stinks. It can't be helped I suppose, I must pay tribute whilst I am here. and with that, Legate Titus Junius Antonius made his way through the bustling forum to the Temple of Mars. There he paid no small amount of sestertii to make his sacrifice. A large bull previously purchased for the purpose was brought before the priests. finding the sacrificed acceptable and for the coin I just paid it damn well better be he opined, they brought it to the platform and slayed the beast. as the large animal fell and spilled its life blood upon the temple floor, braziers sprung to life, no doubt passed Titus's mind that they were for effect.

"Mars accepts your sacrifice in thanks for the success of Legio Thirteen Gemina! go now with his blessing Legatus Titus Antonius!" With the high priest's parting words, he departed. Further business awaited him in Rome. he had been summoned before the Senate to give a report on the actions of his Legion and their expected movements going forth. and he was fairly certain that his old comrade Vespasian wanted words as well.

He marveled at how much the city had changed since he had left. no memory of the great Colosseum came to mind, and he also marveled at the construction that continued. Rome was alive. She breathed and aged like no other.

[Whirlwind]

Nona smiled as her friend complimented her, eyes sparkling happily. ”You look radiant Aemilia. The gold really matches your new scent as well,” Nona said, dabbing on her own bottle she’d purchased to make her appearance complete. What man wouldn’t want her honestly? Oh that’s right. Her husband. She had to stop herself from getting in a bad mood, smiling once more though it was a tad fake when Aemilia asked if they were to head to the Coliseum then. ”Yes, let’s. Our presence should be easily taken in before all the commoners crowd it out,” she said, agreeing with her friend about space and walking arm in arm with her towards the games. They did arrive early enough to find the seats they wanted, though they still had to pass by a few dirty people. ”Ugh, you think people would take a dip in the baths before coming here. Like it’s hard to jump in water,” she said, crinkling her nose while speaking loudly, holding up the sleeve of her dress to her nose and breathing in her own perfume to clear her senses.

[Whirlwind]

Ateret stopped by her home along the route to the Coliseum, walking in to find Hadassah and talk to her before going. She ran into her stepmother Aedre instead. The woman had her dark hair piled atop her head and a fine gown with gold jewelry dripping from her. Ateret tried not to crinkle her nose at the sight, finding such extravagance embarrassing.

Aedre took in her stepdaughter’s appearance. Her hair was down and not fixed in any sort of way. Unbraided, not jeweled, nothing special at all. She was dressed in a white gown with gold accents, but she seemed to enjoy covering it with a rather plain laced shawl. ”Do you enjoy looking so average?” Aedre sneered at the girl, shaking her head as she already knew Ateret would likely say yes. ”Never mind. Have you seen your father?” she asked, her tone cold, eyes unfeeling towards the girl like always.

Ateret scoffed under her breath, resisting the urge to say yes, that she rather enjoyed undyed clothing and the lack of heavy jewels, but she dared not speak it aloud. ”Yes. He’s going to the games,” she said simply. She had no idea if Aedre was aware of her fate to be married to a gladiator, but Ateret was not about to give her stepmother the satisfaction of hearing it from her lips, just to laugh in her face at how Nona was married to a noble while Ateret was to wed a former slave. If he even lived.

”Hmm… fine,” Aedre said, calling for one of the servants to escort her to the Coliseum to find her husband. She left without another word to Ateret, and that only signaled to her that her stepmother was yet unaware of her marriage. That was nice for the moment at least. Ateret shook her head though and went to find Hadassah, who was washing clothes in the washing room. When the woman turned and saw her master’s daughter, her face saddened.

”What has happened dear?” she asked, able to tell from the look on Ateret’s face, and the fact she was a little more disheveled than she had been this morning, that something was wrong. Ateret fell into her arms and told her how she was going to have to leave because her father finally married her off. And she wanted Hadassah to come with her. ”Oh that’s up to your father dear,” she said, petting the girl’s long blonde hair while holding her with wet hands. Of course she was right. Ateret would just have to convince him to let her mother figure come with her. After all, Hadassah had always cared for her more than the others anyway. Ateret nodded and knew she had to be going, kissing the servant woman on the head and then leaving, sniffling slightly though no tears had left her eyes.

She eventually did make it to watch the games, finding a seat amongst the commoners. She didn’t exactly fit in with the other upper class viewers, preferring to yell and cheer as loud as she pleased instead of clapping and excitedly gossiping about her neighbors.

[RomanAria]

Aemilia
Aemilia let out a giggle and rolled her eyes in the direction of the stinky people. "You would think. And perfumes aren't that expensive, if you get something plain like rosemary or lily." She was also talking overly loudly, trying to get a reaction out of the commoners. They did not disappoint, raising their hands in rude gestures as they walked away. Aemilia just giggled, leading Nona over to take a couple of prime seats: Right in the first row of the action. This was to be a fight between two gladiators, not a beast, so they would not need to worry about being trampled.

Aulus Vitellius
Aulus sent a servant to fetch Gaius Ignis after he had cleaned up. The servant approached the resting captain nervously, his eyes darting around in a panic. "M-my lord? The honorable Emperor, the divine Aulus Vitellius, sent me to give you your orders: You are to attend the gladiatorial games as a guard to the imperial bloodline, should another attempt be made on their lives." Aulus was being overly careful sending for the captains, but he wanted no other unpleasant surprises. He just wondered how Aemiliana, the sweet little girl he had once played dolls with, had become so disheartened with life that she had struck him. And how she had gotten so damned good at throwing blades. He rubbed the bandage on his arm ruefully, and at once the healer stepped out from behind his throne, sinking elegantly to his knees. "My lord, is there anything that I may do to ease your suffering? I have a tonic infusion of willow bark that will ease the pain and relax the muscles." He produced a vial of the green liquid, a very condensed version of the normal tonic.

[DELETED324324]

Pentalius and Kattell, Noctura Villa

After the little kiss Pentalius walked away when he was out of sight he couldn't help but grin widely, he would make sure she was taken care of and he was thinking about how to do that when he saw Kattell putting things away. "M'lord, is there something I can do for you?" She asked.

"Yes, we have a guest, she is the emperors daughter, make sure to do whatever you can for her, answer any question and obey anything she says. Trust her like you trust me."

"Yes, master Noctura." She said and walked to the guest room that containted Ameiliana, "My lady, I am Kattell. My master has instructed to answer any questions you have or to do your will." She said bowing slightly to the empress.

Gaius Ignis

Gaius had been enjoying his day when a servant approached him and told him to guard the other empress, he sighed "Tell our lord I go." He said and walked away, weaving through the streets the guardsman made way to the games people giving him a wide berth. When he finally arrived he found the empress and her friend sitting front row "M'lady your father sent me to protect you, something bad happened at the palace today and he is worried."

[RomanAria]

Aemiliana
Aemiliana sat up abruptly as the woman came into the room, and jumped to her feet. She filed the woman's name away in her mind, and made her own introduction, bowing to the woman as she would to her aunt or elder cousins. "I thank you, Kattell, but please call me by my name, not by my title. I'm Aemiliana." She straightened from her bow and met the woman's eyes. "As for things to do, I would vastly appreciate it if you would show me where I might find hot water for a bath, and maybe where I could get some clean clothes. I had to leave my home in a rush and I didn't have anything but this dress and my purse on me at the time. Oh, for measurements, I'm about ten palms from shoulder to feet and about two across the shoulders." She put a few coins from her purse, about the equivalent of ten dollars, into Kattell's hand. "That should be enough for two undyed dresses." She smiled sweetly.

Aemilia
Aemilia rolled her eyes at the guardsman. "Oh, did he really? More like he wants someone to keep an eye on his poor heartsick daughter. Well, you know what? Tell him that I said that I can take care of myself more than adequately. Or, go sit somewhere else and don't bother us; you're scaring our friends away!" It was true; there was a circle of open space that had formed around Gaius, like no one could bear to touch him. She turned back to Nona, resuming their conversation about men and the various nice attributes of them.

[DELETED324324]

Gaius Ignis, The Games
"Oh, so you do not know what occurred at the palace m'lady?" He said "Your sister tried to kill your father today." And with that brought up he left the two girls alone, he wasn't going to say anything else and kept a safe distance people feared the guards so when he finally found a spot to stand people left him alone "Guarding her is a chore." He said to the air around him, he muttered many other curses. Only the gods would hear what he had to say

Kattel
"Yes Ameiliana right this way." She gestured and led her to where she could draw hot water and bathe herself then she left the lady alone so she could go out and get a dress, she didn't trust the little lady but if Pentalius said she could be trusted then she could, she had never had reason to doubt them before.

[Lord Pie]

Ansgar Corcoran

The sounds of the arena reached the bowels of the Colosseum with ease, the sound of the crowds penetrating the thick stone and becoming an almost constant distant thundering rumble, a constant reminder of what was ahead.

Ansgar felt calm, the sounds of impending death being more than familiar to his ears as he ran his hands along the rough wooden bench he sat on. He glanced around the sizable cell where he was waiting, slightly on edge to be alone for a change. This time he would have no brothers in arms to assist him, no-one to share the bond of impending combat with, no nervous young men to console with a word of reassurance – he was alone.

Ansgar stood as Lentulus, his owner, entered through the doorway and made his way to the edge of his cell. Lentulus had a certain look in his eye, something which served to further unnerve the waiting gladiator. What had the old man learnt, he wondered to himself. After a few more moments of quiet the old man spoke with his rasping voice “I hope you are prepared for whatever will be waiting out there for you”, his words ringing in the air.

A few more moments of silence passed broken only by the occasional distant cheer before Ansgar nodded slowly and Lentulus continued “The odds are against you my boy, but we, no you can do this. I have done all I can to prepare you, the rest is up to you. I hope when we next meet it is as two free men.” With that he quickly turned and left, again leaving Ansgar with nothing but himself and an odd feeling, never before had Lentulus seemed so worried about the outcome of a match as he was now, and suddenly neither had Ansgar.

Moments later another man entered before crassly telling him it was his turn now, unlocking the cell door and leading the way towards the gladiator’s entrance. Ansgar could feel his heart pound as he got closer and closer to his destination. As he turned a corner into the last corridor before he would emerge into the open he passed the returning combatants of the previous fight, bloodied but victorious, their eyes meeting his. As they passed each other some nodded solemnly, others patted him once on the shoulder or murmured a word of luck or blessing. They all knew how unlikely it was for a gladiator to actually win his freedom, but regardless they each wanted him to succeed. Pausing at the edge of the shadows of the Colosseum Ansgar held out his hand before taking the blade offered to him by another arena worker before sheathing it and taking a pair of pilum javelins. He had considered bringing a shield into the Colosseum however he wanted to be as quick as possible, and decided against the encumbrance, besides he could likely liberate one from an opponent if needed.

Taking his last breath in the shadows he hesitated for one brief moment before he strode out of the corridor and into the bright light of the Colosseum. The sounds that assaulted him were almost deafening and he could hardly hear his thoughts as the thousands of people cheered, jeered or made some other noise that blended into the thunderous sound he was rapidly becoming familiar with.

He watched as from the other side of the open arena the large gates were being drawn open, and he tried to listen to one of the announcers as to what was being said, however the frenzy of the Roman plebs was far too much to hear anything from his position and so he simply waited. As he did he watched the thousands of people both poor and wealthy as they watched him, some probably wanted him to live, others for him to die and he was sure there would be those who didn’t care as long as it all looked good.

Above the arena in the stands the announcers each were shouting at the top of their voices about the upcoming match, introducing Ansgar as a northern barbarian of unparalleled skill and cunning, some calling him all manner of things like savage or even half-man half-monster. They then proceeded to describe what he would face, wave after wave of opponents building to an elite group of roman gladiators headed by the legendary former centurion Gnaeus Domitius, who was tasked with ending this barbarian dog in exchange for his own chance at freedom should he succeed. At this the majority of the spectators eagerly whooped or cheered at the prospect of the upcoming fight.

Ansgar waited calmly as from the gates emerged three figures, three lightly armoured and dark skinned warriors. From their dress and weapons he recognised them as Numidian slaves – exotic warriors from the province of Africa Nova. Two of the three men began to spread out in an attempt to surround him as the third advanced slowly. They each had long thin spears and a small wooden shield as well as a savage looking curved blade, their armour being little more than some kind of leather cuirasses, as far as he was concerned the men had no protection and he was confident about his odds. As he focused on the men the surrounding Colosseum faded from his focus, leaving only the three men and blood covered sand they tread upon. Ansgar waited as the men slowly closed the distance, content to wait for a few moments before he struck. It dawned on him that this could not be the only challenge that awaited him, and as such he may need to pace himself or risk becoming exhausted before this ordeal was over. ‘Kill them quick and kill them easy, he thought to himself’.

As the three men came into range there was a moment where the lead man and Ansgar’s eyes met, the Numidian’s body language and expression giving away that he was about to charge. In the flash of an eye Ansgar hurled the first of his pilums at the man to his left, knowing that at this close a distance he could not miss. Simultaneously the lead Numidian charged as he knew he would, the man to his right maintained his ground, causing Ansgar to grin as adrenaline flooded his body and he dropped the second pilum and pulled his blade free in one swift movement.

As the first man thrust forwards with the razor sharp point of his spear Ansgar stepped backwards to avoid its momentum before grabbing the shaft with his left hand and jerking it backwards suddenly, the wooden end of the spear connecting with the man’s chin and knocking him backwards. At the same time there was a screech as his pilum buried itself deep into the stomach of its target, the man collapsing into the sand his blood joined that of countless others.

Still holding the spear Ansgar twisted his body just in time to face the third man to his right who was in the process of hurling his javelin at him from close range. Continuing with his twisting motion the ‘Northern Barbarian’ dropped himself to the floor as the wooden weapon hurtled just above him where he had been stood moments ago. Seizing the opportunity and brandishing his curved blade the Numidian rushed forwards hoping to bear down on Ansgar, but at the last moment he raised the spear of the first man that he had held onto upwards, causing the man to skewer himself as his momentum carried the point out of his back. A generous gushing of his blood poured onto Ansgar as he kicked the man backwards. Barley having time to recover the first and only remaining Numidian was on him again, slashing at him with his blade as Ansgar struggled to parry his blows with his own sword as he regained his feet.

This man was skilled with swordplay he could tell, but he knew he was better. Once he had gained his footing once more it only took a few more exchanges before Ansgar had gained the upper hand, and dodging to the side of an over-ambitious lunge before burying his sword in the man’s shoulder and down into his body, more blood and gore spattering out onto him before he twirled and decapitated the man in one fell swoop.

As his corpse thudded to the ground Ansgar suddenly once more became aware of the spectators as many of them screeched and roared, their bloodlust making the atmosphere feel like electric.

Before he could even begin to catch his breath more men began to sprint into the Colosseum arena from the opposite side, this time it seemed that there were lots of them. Ansgar counted ten of them, an assortment of nationalities and weapons amongst them. Grinning and throwing caution to the wind Ansgar picked up his remaining pilum and began to sprint directly towards them, determined to win his freedom at whatever cost.

[Whirlwind]

Nona giggled as Aemilia agreed with her, also ignoring the poor people who were so below them before settling in the front row with her friend. She held onto her arm, the two quite a pair, and already catching eyes from near them.

She was enjoying talking to Aemilia when a man walked up looking very official, and saying Aemilia’s father wanted her protected. Nona frowned, scoffing and looking as if the man must be confused. Who would dare try and hurt Aemilia? This was quite bizarre. Aemilia seemed to think so as well judging by her eye roll and snapping off to the man. It made Nona grin, giving the man a ‘shooing’ motion with her hand. Such a presence would surely drive away the ones they were trying to catch.

Your sister tried to kill your father today the man spoke before walking away. Nona looked at the man like he was crazy, shaking her head and looking to Aemilia. ”Well, your sister is not only pathetic but completely mad!” she said, looking surprised with her frown and wondering exactly just what had happened. She only hoped her own sister wasn’t that crazy. Hopefully, Aemiliana would be thrown in jail. Forever. Nona petted Aemilia's hair in a sympathetic way, pouting for her.