Thread: Sacramentum Gladiatorum (Machiavelli & Andronica)

Walking down the white stone halls of the spacious, airy villa brought a smile to Livia's face every morning. The sun was still low enough to not be unbearable and the air was kissed with the remnants of a crisp night. A pleasant breeze flowed through the home and along it carried the voices of a few women chatting as they walked through rays of pale sunlight streaked across the floor. Are you certain he is here? one of the women asked, a slave girl swathed in cream coloured linen that barely contained her feminine form. Another collared slave nodded beside her with a giddy smirk as they exchanged lascivious whispers about whoever spurred their interest so keenly. Doctore brought him in at dawn. Dominus purchased him the night before and wants to have him tested , the second young woman answered. I heard he is wild like a caged animal and stronger even than the dominus' own champion, she continued to explain as her words weaved a mixture of truth and rumour. He's very handsome, the slave continued to say. This time her gaze slid over to a well dressed woman between them as she grinning intensified. Livia, domina of the house, felt the corners of her full, soft pink lips tugging upward in a lopsided grin despite her attempts to remain uninterested. A third slave woman, noticeably a bit older than the others, spoke up and gave the younger girls a stern gaze. Silence! Keep mind to your tasks, not these useless thoughts, the domina's body slave, Iona, insisted in a distinctly Germanic tone. The girls quieted their chattering as demanded by the superior slave but it was the sound of their dominus that truly brought the women into obedience - even Livia's grin faded in a heart beat. Cassian struck an imposing figure, still fairly in shape despite being older than his wife by at least fifteen summers. His dark hair was cut short and greying at the temples, and his gaze was dark as onyx. The way he looked upon his beautiful young wife was hollow at best. There you are. Sabinus and Cato will join us presently. Wear something appropriate, he ordered Livia in a stern tone, as if he were giving orders to one of their slaves. Then he turned his gaze upon them. Fetch the good wine. The humbled girls were both staring at their feet as their dominus spoke. Whether it was out of fear or respect was unclear, though he seemed to prefer not having such inferior chattel look him in the eye. Yes, dominus, both women said in unison. They bowed and stepped back several paces before turning to hurry and help prepare for the arrival of the guests. Cassian did not bother watching them go. Instead, he remained staring at Iona and Livia until the women also bowed their chins similarly and went to get ready. A short while later Livia appeared on the balcony overlooking the training grounds below. Her auburn hair was gathered up with golden pins accented with pearls, and a few thick locks of her curls were left down to drape her right shoulder. A teal tunica, gathered at the waist and boasting a low, sloping neckline that hinted at the curvature of her breasts, was accented with golden embroidery down the middle of her dress and along the hem. Around her neck was a heavy necklace inlaid with turquoise that Cassian no doubt purchased with winnings from a bet. He enjoyed giving Livia beautiful things so he could parade her around his friends, rather than as gifts of affection. Cato and Sabinus were present on the lounging chairs next to her husband as they overlooked the ludus with cups of honeyed wine already half emptied. The men spoke boisterously about their many victories in the arena and despite having pitted gladiators against one another, they appeared unaffected by their lost fighters so long as their egos were repaired in those fatal transactions. So they were keen to see if Cassian's new purchase was truly the killer the slaver claimed him to be. When Livia stepped into their view, causing the sunlight to briefly bring a glow to her porcelain skin and for a hint of red to shine in her dark hair, Sabinus and Cato drew their attention to her. They regarded their friend's wife with outwardly respectful smiles and nods but something else lingered behind the facade. Livia, lovely as ever, Cato said and raised his cup in greeting. Livia smiled warmly. Her lithe fingers reached out and a cup was handed to her without a word. Fortune was truly generous that such a woman agreed to marry you, Cassian, joked Sabinus with a chuckle. His words only caused the faintest tick of Cassian's upper lip into an awkward smirk. It was well known that Livia had not borne him any children yet and some of his friends often teased that it was a waste to have a young wife if he barely touched her. Apparently fortune does not favour you, Sabinus. I heard your man Rexus was felled four days ago, Livia's husband retorted. Sabinus huffed, causing his stockier frame to jostle while he waved his hand. Sabinus was soured by Cassian's sobering response and urged the spectacle to begin so he could be distracted from his shame. Bring our your man or I'll expire before you cease prattling about victories in the arena. Let us see if laurels continue to fall into your fucking lap. The smug look Cassian gave him was all that was needed to cut their minor spat short. Dominus rose from his seat and walked to the balcony. He made a slightly gesture with his hand that prompted doctore to approach and begin to announce the little spectacle he had planned.