Arcadius was briskly woken up early in the morning by a kick to his stomach.
"Get up!" Shouted a voice.
Arcadius struggled to open his eyes to see Tepemkau trying to wake him up.
"Whats this all about?" Arcadius grumbled. "Its not even the break of dawn."
"I know." Tepemkau answered. "But we need to train. Hard. Well, you actually, because you are going to be participating in the upcoming games as primus. Just... get up!"
Arcadius groaned and dragged his body out of bed.

Aurelia sat in front of a scroll, her fingers wavering over it. She wasn't really good at financing or anything- she was schooled for the basics, then things that would make her a good wife and mother, like spinning, weaving, and cooking. Nothing more, besides the things her father, brother, and Publius had taught her in- and that was only a few key things, and she had no clue how to do most of it. She pushed the scroll away and put her head down on the desk, groaning.

Once she finally decided it wouldn't help at all to just sit and wait until she remebered what she was suppost to do, she pulled the scroll back, wrote down what she remembered to be correct with the numbers in front of her, she stood up and started to walk through the house. She had woken up earlier than most, but she had been worried...about everything. She just wasn't sure how well she could manage the house. She knew Publius had some unpaid debts, and she was sorties about that to. She was unarmed, she couldn't protect herself if a 'debt collector' desided to do something rash.

Arcadius followed Tepemkau out into the training fields to see Donaris standing in the middle of it. Arcadius was slightly taken back by the chilly air of early morning and the sight of Donaris staring back at him.
"Welcome to Hell boys." Donaris said with a wicked grin on his face. "Just to let you know, I'm doing this for myself. I'm entering as primus with you, and to be frank, I'm a bit nervous about that. A little extra practice should do me good."
Donaris threw the two boys wooden practice swords.
"But," Donaris said. "Since it'll be boring to take on either of you one-on-one, both of you try to take me at once."
Arcadius and Tepemkau looked at each other for a moment, then charged at Donaris with their practice swords.

"Maybe a trip to the market? I would have to find someone to go with me though" Aurelia said to herself, looking around. Not Viverra, she would be to busy... another, then. Acamas. He was strong, and he had been at the house longer than she had. She walked through the house until she found him, then asked him to accompany her to the market.

Soon enough, she was walking to the market with Acamas

In the well needed shade of the shop's front porch, Silvia stood behind a display table deep in conversation with a patritian family's footman, "I told you before Clidus" she began "that if your Lady wishes we can also bring a sample of our designs to her. Just give us a few days notice thats all I ask."

"very well then..." the slave concluded "my Lady will be much relieved to hear of this alternative with only her daughter's wedding a month from now."

"see?" Silvia smiled bidding him farewell "thank you so much, may the house of Decimus be blessed."

"as with yours" Clidus responded with a nod, picking up his basket to continue down the market street.

"Hey" her father noted suddenly, "is that someone from the House of Aurelius?" following his gaze up the street she noticed a tall slave walking defensively nearby a young Patritian woman no older than her teens.

"I belive it is..." Silvia responded curiously.

Arcadius and Tepemkau slashed at Donaris ferociously, yet could not best him. Again and again, they were beaten and thrown to the ground. Arcadius picked himself up, wiping blood from his nose.
"Back for more?" Donaris taunted.
Arcadius lowered his sword to catch his breath.
"Donaris." Arcadius said. "You said you don't trust anyone anymore. After what your friend did to you when you fought for the Legion, I wouldn't blame you. Yet, you trust the House of Vala? What if you die in the arena someday? You trust that they will take care of you wife and child?"
Donaris looked irritated at Arcadius's remark.
"Shut up Greek." Donaris said. "I trust the dominus and the House of Vala because they've given me the means to be a good husband to my wife and a good father to my daughter. Even though I am a slave, the money I earn from winning in the arena is more than enough provide for them. I've lost everything because of betrayal, yet the dominus gave me the means to reclaim the life I was meant to live. That is why I fight honorably in the arena, and for Vala. I'm not like you who rolls around and whines about the fact that he became a slave gladiator. And, I am Donaris, the Scourge of Dacia. I never die."

Aurelia walked beside Acamas, a little closer than she should. She really didn't like busy places all that horribly much- even if she did like to shop. She looked around and saw a girl around her age selling jewels or something, but she looked familiar. She tried to place it, but it didn't come to her. However, as she approached, a memory came to her.

"Mom! I hate this place. There are huge men up on stands and far to many people! It's scary!" The young- only 10 years of age- Aurelia said, looking around with fear in her eyes.

"Shush, child. We really must find a present for the upcoming wedding!" Her mother yelled, dragging her along behind her. Truthfully, Aurelia couldn't care about the party if she tried. It was one of mothers dusty old friends anyway. None her age.

"Couldn't you have had a salve do it?"

"Now, would that be from the heart?" Her mother said- ending the conversation between mother and daughter. She dragged her over to a stand selling jewels. Aurelia put her hands at her sides and huffed, waiting for her mother.

"Hi!" A girl- around Aurelia's age said. She saw she was behind the counter and she smiled. "What are you doing back there? Shouldn't you be with your mother? Learning weaving?" Aurelia said, looking around.

"Sure...." The girl said, and stepped behind the counter. "Come on. Your mom is a bore- just like all the others here. I would never tell them that though. It would ward tem off. We should go do something else" the girl said, and grabbed her hand. Aurelia shrugged and followed after her. She was smart, it seemed, from the way she found the only weak spots in the sea of people. Then, her hand was gone. "Uhh... Girl! Mom!" Aurelia called, suddenly scared. As she said it, the girl snuck up behind her and poked her in the side. Aurelia could have jumped to the heavens.


Oh. That was it. She was that girl, the smart one that always got her in a mess of trouble- it had been fun though. Though she wasn't sure it was her- it very well could have been another who looked a little like her. There were plenty of merchant's daughters and the memory was fuzzy. It didn't matter, she walked ever closer anyway.

"Hello!" She said quickly.

Silvia then noticed how the pair gradually made their way down the walkway. As the young woman came closer, Silvia couldn't help but notice how she looked quite familiar for some strange reason...

14 year old Silvia was sitting behind her father's table, lazily stranding random beads together into her own basic designs. She distinctly remembered how hot it was that day, not wanting to do much accept sleep. Her uncle's ship was weeks away from carrying them back to Alexandria, until then she was stuck here while her Family did buisness in Rome's province.

"Mom! I hate this place. There are huge men up on stands and far to many people! It's scary!" she suddenly herd a ten year old girl shout to her mother as they walked through the marketplace.

The mother was obviously not having any of it pulling her hand to follow her to the display table.

For a moment they starred at each-other, acknowledging their own wanting to be someplace much more exciting.

“Hi” she said to the little girl

"What are you doing back there? Shouldn't you be with your mother? Learning weaving?” the girl sharply responded. She was right, mother did need her help that day despite having two slaves at home. But of course father always insisted that he needed another set of hands at the shop.

“yeah...” Silvia responded, looking up to notice her father and the girl mother's deep in conversation. Suddenly she remembered how a Persian ship had docked earlier that day as an idea struck her. Maybe that would keep both of them interested for a while.

"Come on. Your mom is a bore- just like all the others here.” Silvia said getting up from her seat “ I would never tell them that though. It would ward them off. We should go do something else" she whispered taking the girl's hand.

“What if I told you there was a shop I knew up this street who sold exotic animals?” Silvia mentioned while weaving through the crowd of people.

The child's eyes widened with wonder“really?”

“Oh absolutely! He just got a shipment of colorful birds. There is even one that talks!” She added, practically hearing her mother's voice scolding her for not acting her age. Perhaps this is what it was like to have a little Sister.

By the time they returned, the little girl's mother barely noticed she was even gone, in the middle of handing her father a handful of coins.

The last thing Silvia remembered was noticing the little girl turn around waving to her with a grin.

In a flash she blinked back to reality. That was the past, she concluded. Childish things...and this was now, with money to be made. She may not have been that girl anyway. “Oh...hello there! Welcome! How may I be of service to the house of Aurelius this fine day?” Silvia began

Aurelia's face darkened for a moment before she responded. "Vala, now. I'm the only one left- of the house of Aurelius. Not even a slave made it out of the- nevermind... I was just passing through. You looked like someone I met, long ago. I don't remember much, but I do remember Decorem, a silly bird I made my mother buy me a week later. She was in the.... she was in it too. Also, your wares are beautiful and I am treating the slaves to... gifts, for doing good, while Publius is out. Something for Viverra here, and maybe something for the chosen gladiators later on in my trip... I got all the savings and- my father was richer than I figured... I want to give... after what happened, I want everyone to like me- so everyone will remember me if something happens" She said lightly, looking over the wares. "Any ideas?"

Listening to her words Silvia's smile faded hearing her words, she could sense a twinge of sandess in her customer's words.

"Im sorry Lady..Vala. I didnt know. I will make sure to offer prayers for them at the temple. I must confess that you too looked very familiar too.

Trying to lighen the mood she chuckled, "so you did buy that parrot. How ironic. Thank you very much for your complemets, my father prides in his workshop. Some of these beaded pieces I helped make myself. If your looking for gifts I think you would like some simple earings." Picking up a pair of dangled earings she hung one up to her ear as a sample, "see how it captures the light? This mother of pearl is simple enough to go with anything. We also have pieces for men as well such as custom belts and rings."

Putting them down Silvia said "you were saying something about gladiators? where are you headed if I may ask?"

"I loved that silly bird. But all I could get it to say was 'buy me!' It was very annoying. The earrings are beautiful, by the way. What about this?" Aurelia asked, picking up a beaded bracelet and holding it up. She smiled lightly and put it back down. "Belts? That sounds like it would be a good thing for a champion. I'm headed back home, but I was just coming out for a bit to look around. I don't want to go crazy from staying home. The only downside is I have to be followed. Everywhere. I liked it better when I could go to the market without a plus one, you know?" She smiled quickly, gesturing to the slave behind her. "Anyway, Publius is out and he works the slaves so hard, I just wanted to make sure the best were recognized"

She smiled and looked over the table quickly. "If you have any idea what they would like, then I'm all ears. I stay in my room most days, and, well, this is the first time I've made any headway into getting to know the slaves, be that gladiators or something else" she sighed and ran a hand through her hair.

"I was not born to fight for the entertainment of others." Arcadius said firmly. "And there is no honor in taking other mens' lives for that."
"Maybe." Donaris said. "But, any form of violence always had luxury as it's goal. Whether directly or indirectly. Men have always fought for women, gold, or just out of boredom. Always have. Always will."
"Look around Donaris." Arcadius said. "These guards hired by Publius, though more numerous than us, are weak. If we can get our hands on some weapons, you and I could easily bring them down. Then we can flee from this place. You can be reunited with your wife and child, then take them to your homeland Dacia with you. Doesn't that sound nice?"
Donaris threw his sword at Arcadius. Arcadius ducked.
"Wretched Greek." Donaris said. "Sometimes a man must learn to just accept his fate. I have no interest in living my life on the run. If you wish to escape to freedom, so be it. But I will not take part in any armed rebellion."

When Rorius moved his arm forward, Vita smiled a little. He catches on fast ... He's intelligent ... I'm sure father will find other uses for him.

Instead of allowing hims to walk with his arm before her the entire time, she slipped her own arm through his and walked along side him, placing her other arm's hand on his upper arm. When they reached the point at which the carriage had left them, Valerius made his way around the corner to meet them. He opened the carriage door and assisted Vita into it, leaving Rorius to climb in on his own. Valerius climbed the steps and dropped onto the carriage seat across from her, passed her the cloak she had left in the carriage, which she wrapped herself up in to ward of the soft chill of the night. She lifted her eyes to Rorius's, flushed a gentle pink, and looked away, pulling her cloak further around her and attempting to shield her bruising neck from view.

"That's right! I remember now...no wonder Habib was selling the bird so cheep. Wanting to get rid of it as quickly as possible." Silvia chuckled. "That bracelet is quite nice, the Amber is from here in Italy. If you still dont know what to get, we also do consultations. If you wish my father and I could bring some of our pieces to your family's villa to perhaps get better inspiration on what to get your slaves or gladiators?"

For a moment she paused, "Although I think for you, dont you deserve a little something?" Opeing an ivory box Silvia pulled out a long delicate silver chain which at the end dangled an empty, small blue bottle with a cork stopper. "This is something I think you would enjoy. Its a necklace to carry any type of your favorite oil or perfume." Leaning down she added in a whisper " Im sure having so many gladiators at your villa must be overwhelming sometime nose wise..."

"Oh, that would be wonderful! That way I won't have to worry about picking out anything they wouldn't like- again, I don't know them well at all" she laughed and looked over the necklace. "That is amazing... I have no idea what I would fill it with though. I suppose I could figure it out" she laughed lightly, then thought about the whispered comment. "No, not really- it is at first, and sometimes scary- knowing you might see a dead body later on in the day if someone 'accidentally' kills someone else during training... you get used to it quickly though, though it's part of the reason I stay inside my room all hours. " she whispered back, smiling.

"I'll get the necklace, and I suppose you can tell me when you can come? I'll have a dinner for you and your father as well- I owe it to you- I got a feathered friend and an adventure out of the deal and you could have gotten in a lot of trouble with your dad, so I got the better end of the deal" she laughed and started to reach into the drawstring purse, but stopped. "Right, how much?" she said, smiling.

Taking the necklace Silvia gathered it into her hand putting it in a leather satchel "well I know a great perfumery, if you ever get the chance to go on another adventure with your friend be sure to stop at the shop of Flavian Titus Cinna. Will not disapoint!" hearing about her homelife she commented "I feel I can relate. Growing up in Alexandria my father's shop was at first based near the naval ship docks. Although it did overlook the great lighthouse I've seen my fare share of soldiers coming back from riots and revolts down the Nile."

After hearing about the dinner offer her face lit up, "That would be wonderful! We would be honored to be your guests. Let's see...today is Friday. Whatever day is best for your household? We want to make sure to accomidate your schedule since Im sure being a gladitorial school it can get quite busy."

When Aurelia made her off she said, "For you? your an old friend so lets take five off. How does fiveteen denari sound?" Silvia asked, pulling the satchel strings tight into a knot.

Aurelia smiled and thought through the time she had left before she had to go home. "I might be able to go there later, actually" her expression was giddy now, she really hadn't had anyone to talk to that was a 'friend' in a long while- most people were afraid of the 'orphan'. "Well, you can relate then. It's taken some getting used to- walking by and watching the new gladiators struggling to keep up with the experienced ones- though there is a new one that is catching on quickly, and is already very good- not the best, of course, but full of potintial" she smirked.

"Right- well, you would think it would be very busy, but it really isn't. Truthfuly, I invited the best gladiators of the day to eat with me for dinner, becuase everyone stops to eat just about the same time. Monday or Tuesday, whatever you feel would be easist for you... Ah, yes" she said, reaching into the satchel. She pulled out the appropriate coins and passed them to Silvia. "Thank you, for everything. From when I was 10 and up till now"

Later that day after the usual training, the gladiators settled down at the chow hall to have lunch. Before walking in, Arcadius noticed a young lady standing at the villa entrance. He walked up to her.
"Salve." Arcadius said to her.
"Salve." The woman replied, smiling.
"Can I help you ma'am?" He asked.
"My name is Caecilia. I'm Donaris's wife. I just.. came to give him some things." She said, revealing a small basket full of baked foods.
Arcadius walked into the chow hall and told Donaris that his wife came to visit him.
Donaris's eyes lit up and got up immediately.
Arcadius then settled down with Tepemkau for chow.
"Lucky him." Arcadius said, glancing over at the couple embracing each other. "Is that why he's so strong? Because he has a woman to fight for?"
"I suppose." Tepemkau said. He looked at Arcadius with a slight frown.
"What?" Arcadius asked, before taking a sip of his stew.
"They... told me not to tell you. Sorry my friend."
Arcadius made a grimace and spat out the food in his mouth.
"Sorry." Tepemkau said. "It was Donaris, he pissed in your food."
The gladiators in the chow hall burst into laughter.

"my father will be thrilled to hear about our appointment. Does Monday sound ok?" trading the leather satchal for the coins Silvia placed them in a money box below the table, "What is the name of this Gladiator you speak of who was full of potential? Maybe I should watch for him if he ever gets to the Colusseum."

As she was making note of their transaction on a piece of parchment she added with a smile after hearing Aurelia's thanks, "Oh No your welcome. Its fortunate actually to see an old friend after moving here only a year ago. Hopefully we will see you again soon Lady Vala!"

"Monday is fine... I'll see you then!" Aurelia said with a smile before she continued. "His name is Arcadius... A Greek" she smiled. "I'll be seeing you soon!" She laughed and turned, weaving through the crowds.

Later on in the day, she walked back into the house, her new necklace filled with a perfume that smelled like flowers. She loved it. Every time she turned, a new wave of the perfume came up- needless to say, she turned and spun a lot on the way home, to the point she was dizzy. She steadied herself on the wall and let her head clear before she walked toward the food hall. It was very loud there, and she wondered why for a moment before she shrugged it off and ducked her head in. "Doctore! Pick your three and come on. Wonderful food and not... That... Isn't something I would just pass up!" She yelled over the crowd. She turned and went to the dinning hall- where a small feast was set out. She got the items she wanted and sat at the head of the table, waiting for the others to show up.

A note had been posted on the walls of the training grounds. It was a roster notifying who will be fighting against who in the arena later that day. The gladiators rushed to read it and passed it among themselves. When Tepemkau had the chance to read it, he read it aloud in his usual manner.
"Obviously I'm not on this list... lets see.. Donaris against Himilco of the House of Blasius. Himilco? Oh, he's weak. He's no match for Donaris. And Arcadius, against, Baalhanno of the House of Crispus? Oh no... Baalhanno is... a monster!"
All eyes gazed on Arcadius with a look of sympathy.
"Baalhanno?" Arcadius asked. "What's he like?"
"He," Tepemkau said grimly. "Is a merciless killer. Thats what he is. You wont stand a chance against him Greek."
"Shut up." Arcadius said steely. "Shouldn't be too difficult to fight him..."

When Doctore heard Aurelia call him, he summoned Donaris, Arcadius, and Tepemkau. The three settled down around the table with Aurelia.
Doctore cleared his throat. "Domina. It is today. The primus. We are to travel to the Ostia Antica arena to provide Donaris, Arcadius, and about 4 others to participate in the games."
"Finally!" Donaris said enthusiastically. "I have trained very hard for this."
"Good to know someones excited." Doctore said. "Rather surprisingly, Arcadius is to be pitted against Baalhanno of the House of Crispus. We all know that.. he is a very accomplished fighter."
"He's invincible." Tepemkau commented. "Arcadius is very unfortunate to be the one to have to fight him."
"Damn it Tepemkau. Just shut up. You're not helping me like this." Arcadius said hotly.
"Tepemkau is right Arcadius." Doctore said sternly. "He will not be an easy opponent."
"Lucky you." Donaris said in an envious tone. "I've always dreamed of fighting that man. Enjoy your final meal Greek."
"Also my domina." Doctore said. "You will be required to give a short speech to the spectators in absence of the dominus. We are to leave immediately after our meal."

Aurelia smiled at the people at the table, one by one as they sat down. "I am aware of the date. Again, my name is Aurelia. Calling me domina isn't somthing I enjoy to hear- and I officaly refuse to answer to it anymore. I am Aurelia, of the almost completely dead House of Aurelius, and now of the House of Vala" she said, then smiled at Donaris's comment. "Glad you are exited as well... Come back to house... I assume it will be easy for you" she paused for a moment when the issue of who Arcadius was fighting came up.

"Right- well... We all know he is... Very hard to beat, and you are very new to all of this. However, come back to us- please. Because come Monday, an old friend of mine will be coming- and she will bring things for our champions to pick from. A belt, a ring, or somthing- to commemorate surviving that long, and also not killing yourself under Publius sometimes... Messed up versions of what is right. I love the man like he is my father- I did even before he was- but he thinks of only money" she smiled before continueing. "I however want family, and now that I have invited you all to my table, it feels like I have a little bit of it back- also, no cussing at my table. It isn't polite. " she sighed.

When it was mentioned she had to make a speech, she groaned. "I-I have no idea how to do that! I've never..." She began to fiddle with the necklace, effectively makeing a cloud of perfume around her before she realized she should stop. "Sorry.. I just... I never had to make a speech... Not even when all eyes were on me, after the fire. I was never expected to say anything. Just- fuck!" She muttered under her breath. Then she realized she broke her own rule and she covered her mouth with her hand and peeped. "

Oh- sorry... That was unladylike" she apologized, looking down. "And impolite. I shall make a wonderful speech that will do the house proud. If you would just exuse me..." she stood up and began to move back towards the door. "I'm not the best public speaker... Enjoy yourselves- I'll be back, I promise!" She smiled, but it wavered as she began to back out of the door. She walked until she figured they couldn't hear her. "Oh dear... The last time I spoke publicly was... The day before what happened- and I just about passed out! Mom said I would be fine and I-" she took a deep breath and sat down on the ground, putting her head on her knees. She couldn't have an 'episode' here.

Claudia looked up from her plate of fruit and vegetables, her master stood over her.
A younger man stood next to him, he had a smug look about him. "Claudia, this is my dear friend. He is attending the fight later tonight." He smiled. "He is looking for a woman to take with him, a woman with the beauty of the goddess and the elegance of a rich woman." Claudia stood with a smile and bowed her head.
"Of course, dominus." She stepped towards the man and let him kiss her hand.
"Clean up and put this on." Claudia was handed an elegant toga and was sent on to the front rooms, the bathhouse, her master's public source of income.
She washed and put the robe on, let the other girls do her hair. Once she was ready, she waited for the client to collect her and take her up to the Arena.

((Double post, sorry))