Post by Nicole on Apr 11, 2011 2:21:30 GMT -5
Calista
Calista awoke the morn feeling much different than she had the previous two nights. She'd managed to sleep the night through for the first time in days, she drew deep breath and lay there for a moment longer before she finally rose, servant was quick upon foot to attend to her, dressing her in morning clothes. A warm cup of tea requested.
Though sound soon filled ear, a sound she'd not heard in the days past, the sound of metal clashing. Such drew questioned look from her face as she approached the railing of the upper floor of the villa, peering down to the courtyard below.
There was indeed steel to be clashed, though not of battle, of practice below. Her eyes settled upon Praetorius whom practiced with gladiator. Praetorius.. Calista's eyes were focused upon, a man whom had quite literally, saved her life. She likely would've never made it back to Rome without him, she leaned against the railing quietly for a time, simply observing before slave returned with fresh cup of tea, slice of yellow fruit within and honey to sweeten. She drew it to lip, taking drink of it, allowing it to awaken senses.
Praetorius
Praetorius was frustrated, which was probably what led to the bout with the gladiator to begin with. Fleeing a battle like that... it never sat well with a warrior. Knowing that Victor likely perished in the battle made it even more bitter. But he had been given orders, and he had followed them.
And there she was, upon the balcony. He had saved her life, he had been told - likely she had saved his as well, in a sense, because if he had stayed, he probably would have ended up as Victor did.
She, presumably, felt gratitude. He felt... resentment? He wasn't sure. But now he was distracted, and the gladiator wasn't, which resulted in a rather disconcerting blow - no damage, just a sharp sting. He resolved not to let it happen again.
He acknowledged the lady's presence with a nod, and then resumed sparring - and this time, he made certain to land the first blow.
Calista
Calista's lips curled upward slightly as she offered brief smile as the Captain looked up to her. She would've given nod of head in return though she winced slightly as gladiator made strike. She shook her head slightly, quiet chuckle given, fortunately he'd not been injured by such a blow.
She looked back to him once again, a nod given finally once more before he'd resumed his fight, watching the two fight with more vigor, a strong impact of battle this time, proving the Captain's battle merit as he made blow, toppling gladiator to the sands beneath them.
As proper Calista clapped in applause, though soon enough she departed railing to go bathe and properly dress. While the Gladiators were resigned to the Ludus below, the Captain was not slave, but of hired presence to be within the Villa. Perhaps it was enough that both Calista and other brother trusted him enough to continue his employment, or perhaps there was a bit of loyalty to remain to the Vitella, either way, she was uncertain. Perhaps in the future there was way to repay loyalty, as to which she was not certain how quite yet.
Praetorius
She watched and he fought without further incident - everyone, except perhaps the gladiators, fared well enough from then on. After a while, she left, and he noticed.
He noticed... the events of the past few days had been strange indeed, but he had been watched many a time before during these duels and had paid no heed to who was watching from above.
He went through several more bouts, but dismissed the gladiators when it became apparent that the sparring was helping neither his mood or his training. He wasn't fighting smart, he was fighting mean. More practice like this would only help him to learn bad habits.
He retired to the villa - he had no idea how much longer he would be welcome here, or in fact if he was welcome here at all. As the hero who had rescued Calista he had been treated well the past few days, but with his patron dead and Velithos now assuming leadership of the house he could be assured of nothing.
Calista
Calista had taken opportunity to bathe, or rather, be bathed. Scented with perfumes of flowers, and clothed elegantly as was expected by a member of this family. They weren't royalty, but they were among the most elite of the city. If one thing was certain of a true Roman woman, they'd always appear outwardly strong. Calista was no exception. It stood bold contract against she and Kerina's true heritage. Poor woman, she was such a mess.
As she emerged from chambers she came upon Praetorius whom had just retired back to the villa. Calista's lips curled to small smirk as she tilted her head, glimpsing him over.
"Captain Praetorius, did you slay them all?" she jested to the battle he'd been waging outside.
Praetorius
He gave a shrug. "I bested them, yes." A gladiator facing someone like himself would know better than to pose a serious threat, even in terms of the duel itself - they would fight just well enough to provide some sort of challenge. A gladiator who injured a free Roman in combat was unlikely to survive long enough to boast about it.
"Were you entertained by what you saw?"
Calista
"A marvelous display of ability." Calista replied, taking seat in one of the sitting areas before a motion with her hand to the opposing seat.
"Will you join me for breakfast?" she questioned him, after such a workout she surmised he'd be a bit hungered. If not, perhaps thirsty.
"I believe both my brothers would be pleased to know their gladiators were not left idle."
Praetorius
As a guest in the house, it wouldn't do for him to decline the request. "I would be honored," he said as he took the indicated seat.
Was he honored? He didn't know, really - he could suspect the reasons for the lady's sudden interest in his companionship, even though they hadn't spoken since returning to the villa. He gathered it was much harder for her, not just emotionally - as a soldier one had experienced enough dead comrades to become a little numb to the grief - but in terms of responsibility.
"It is, I suspect, the least I can do. Velithos has been understandably busy and has not had any other use for me in recent days."
Calista
Calista could sense a hint of reluctance with the Captain. Perhaps he was merely uncomfortable of being with someone of her class, but then again, he had been her brother's man, he'd likely met his share of elite in his time. Or perhaps it was just she that made him uneasy. There hadn't been much said between them in days, not since she'd been horseback with him, grasped so tight on the soldier.
She gave nod to servants to go fetch proper meal for them, leaving she and the Captain alone, more or less, there was always a servant nearby least someone need something.
"You must forgive my brother, while a very wise man, with good business sense, he's been thrust into a world he'd never expected. I'm certain once he gets affairs straightened out he will fine purpose for you. In the mean time, it comforts me to know you are around, if it was my brother who trusted you, as shall I, Praetorius. "
"Though perhaps I could be of some assistance to you."
Praetorius
"There is nothing to forgive; I am here as a guest and I intend to serve as needed. I am, however, honored by your trust."
At the last of it, he was puzzled but kept a still face. "Oh? What sort of assistance?"
Calista
She smiled, Praetorius was being as ever a proper Roman should be, it was no wonder she saw much preparedness for politics, the upper sphere of conquest. She extended her hand out, lightly touching his bared upper harm as she gave him a large smile.
"Rumor has it that you wish some political strength in addition to that of physical. I have many contacts here and in Capri, perhaps I could lend assistance and favor to you and get some others to also. "
Praetorius
He considered this for a moment. He knew very well that the Vitella had many friends, but as recent events had shown, they had several enemies as well. It was likely that those enemies were now his enemies anyway, but it still required caution.
And he had many questions now. How did she know of his political ambition? And given recent events, how much of that desire did he still have?
"I'm... I'm very honored. And I will give the offer every consideration. But let me ask you - how would I be able to repay your kindness?"
Calista awoke the morn feeling much different than she had the previous two nights. She'd managed to sleep the night through for the first time in days, she drew deep breath and lay there for a moment longer before she finally rose, servant was quick upon foot to attend to her, dressing her in morning clothes. A warm cup of tea requested.
Though sound soon filled ear, a sound she'd not heard in the days past, the sound of metal clashing. Such drew questioned look from her face as she approached the railing of the upper floor of the villa, peering down to the courtyard below.
There was indeed steel to be clashed, though not of battle, of practice below. Her eyes settled upon Praetorius whom practiced with gladiator. Praetorius.. Calista's eyes were focused upon, a man whom had quite literally, saved her life. She likely would've never made it back to Rome without him, she leaned against the railing quietly for a time, simply observing before slave returned with fresh cup of tea, slice of yellow fruit within and honey to sweeten. She drew it to lip, taking drink of it, allowing it to awaken senses.
Praetorius
Praetorius was frustrated, which was probably what led to the bout with the gladiator to begin with. Fleeing a battle like that... it never sat well with a warrior. Knowing that Victor likely perished in the battle made it even more bitter. But he had been given orders, and he had followed them.
And there she was, upon the balcony. He had saved her life, he had been told - likely she had saved his as well, in a sense, because if he had stayed, he probably would have ended up as Victor did.
She, presumably, felt gratitude. He felt... resentment? He wasn't sure. But now he was distracted, and the gladiator wasn't, which resulted in a rather disconcerting blow - no damage, just a sharp sting. He resolved not to let it happen again.
He acknowledged the lady's presence with a nod, and then resumed sparring - and this time, he made certain to land the first blow.
Calista
Calista's lips curled upward slightly as she offered brief smile as the Captain looked up to her. She would've given nod of head in return though she winced slightly as gladiator made strike. She shook her head slightly, quiet chuckle given, fortunately he'd not been injured by such a blow.
She looked back to him once again, a nod given finally once more before he'd resumed his fight, watching the two fight with more vigor, a strong impact of battle this time, proving the Captain's battle merit as he made blow, toppling gladiator to the sands beneath them.
As proper Calista clapped in applause, though soon enough she departed railing to go bathe and properly dress. While the Gladiators were resigned to the Ludus below, the Captain was not slave, but of hired presence to be within the Villa. Perhaps it was enough that both Calista and other brother trusted him enough to continue his employment, or perhaps there was a bit of loyalty to remain to the Vitella, either way, she was uncertain. Perhaps in the future there was way to repay loyalty, as to which she was not certain how quite yet.
Praetorius
She watched and he fought without further incident - everyone, except perhaps the gladiators, fared well enough from then on. After a while, she left, and he noticed.
He noticed... the events of the past few days had been strange indeed, but he had been watched many a time before during these duels and had paid no heed to who was watching from above.
He went through several more bouts, but dismissed the gladiators when it became apparent that the sparring was helping neither his mood or his training. He wasn't fighting smart, he was fighting mean. More practice like this would only help him to learn bad habits.
He retired to the villa - he had no idea how much longer he would be welcome here, or in fact if he was welcome here at all. As the hero who had rescued Calista he had been treated well the past few days, but with his patron dead and Velithos now assuming leadership of the house he could be assured of nothing.
Calista
Calista had taken opportunity to bathe, or rather, be bathed. Scented with perfumes of flowers, and clothed elegantly as was expected by a member of this family. They weren't royalty, but they were among the most elite of the city. If one thing was certain of a true Roman woman, they'd always appear outwardly strong. Calista was no exception. It stood bold contract against she and Kerina's true heritage. Poor woman, she was such a mess.
As she emerged from chambers she came upon Praetorius whom had just retired back to the villa. Calista's lips curled to small smirk as she tilted her head, glimpsing him over.
"Captain Praetorius, did you slay them all?" she jested to the battle he'd been waging outside.
Praetorius
He gave a shrug. "I bested them, yes." A gladiator facing someone like himself would know better than to pose a serious threat, even in terms of the duel itself - they would fight just well enough to provide some sort of challenge. A gladiator who injured a free Roman in combat was unlikely to survive long enough to boast about it.
"Were you entertained by what you saw?"
Calista
"A marvelous display of ability." Calista replied, taking seat in one of the sitting areas before a motion with her hand to the opposing seat.
"Will you join me for breakfast?" she questioned him, after such a workout she surmised he'd be a bit hungered. If not, perhaps thirsty.
"I believe both my brothers would be pleased to know their gladiators were not left idle."
Praetorius
As a guest in the house, it wouldn't do for him to decline the request. "I would be honored," he said as he took the indicated seat.
Was he honored? He didn't know, really - he could suspect the reasons for the lady's sudden interest in his companionship, even though they hadn't spoken since returning to the villa. He gathered it was much harder for her, not just emotionally - as a soldier one had experienced enough dead comrades to become a little numb to the grief - but in terms of responsibility.
"It is, I suspect, the least I can do. Velithos has been understandably busy and has not had any other use for me in recent days."
Calista
Calista could sense a hint of reluctance with the Captain. Perhaps he was merely uncomfortable of being with someone of her class, but then again, he had been her brother's man, he'd likely met his share of elite in his time. Or perhaps it was just she that made him uneasy. There hadn't been much said between them in days, not since she'd been horseback with him, grasped so tight on the soldier.
She gave nod to servants to go fetch proper meal for them, leaving she and the Captain alone, more or less, there was always a servant nearby least someone need something.
"You must forgive my brother, while a very wise man, with good business sense, he's been thrust into a world he'd never expected. I'm certain once he gets affairs straightened out he will fine purpose for you. In the mean time, it comforts me to know you are around, if it was my brother who trusted you, as shall I, Praetorius. "
"Though perhaps I could be of some assistance to you."
Praetorius
"There is nothing to forgive; I am here as a guest and I intend to serve as needed. I am, however, honored by your trust."
At the last of it, he was puzzled but kept a still face. "Oh? What sort of assistance?"
Calista
She smiled, Praetorius was being as ever a proper Roman should be, it was no wonder she saw much preparedness for politics, the upper sphere of conquest. She extended her hand out, lightly touching his bared upper harm as she gave him a large smile.
"Rumor has it that you wish some political strength in addition to that of physical. I have many contacts here and in Capri, perhaps I could lend assistance and favor to you and get some others to also. "
Praetorius
He considered this for a moment. He knew very well that the Vitella had many friends, but as recent events had shown, they had several enemies as well. It was likely that those enemies were now his enemies anyway, but it still required caution.
And he had many questions now. How did she know of his political ambition? And given recent events, how much of that desire did he still have?
"I'm... I'm very honored. And I will give the offer every consideration. But let me ask you - how would I be able to repay your kindness?"
