A Day in Rome

[Khan_Benitera]

Rome. The great city of civilization. Home of the Senate and birthplace of the great Philosophers and Mathematicians. But the boy knew none of this. All he knew was that he was far from home and as of now, his future was uncertain.

The person sat with several others in the large traveling cart that held bars at the back to prevent escape. His wrists were shackled and the chains put together on one of the bars. The others within it were strangers to him, he didn’t even think they were Egyptian.

Yes, the boy was an Egyptian, a royal Egyptian to be exact, but that didn’t matter now. In mere hours he had gone from a Royal Prince enjoying a ride across the desert, to a captive in a strange land with no idea of his purpose, or how to return home.


As they passed down the cobbled streets of the city, they came to one of the largest things he’d ever seen. It was even larger than some of the pyramids at Giza. He had no idea that this was the Coliseum, his future.

The sun stalked out from the building, momentarily blinding him. Now in the sunlight, his features were more discernible to the public. Like most Egyptians he wasn’t very tall, only 5’9’’ or so and would likely grow only one or two more inches, if at all. His skin was slightly tanned and despite his size, he had the unmistakable body of a warrior. His muscles were by no means giant, but nor were they small. In fact, they fit his body perfectly, giving him the slight appearance of a god. But it was the boy’s face that was the most becoming.

His hair the color of silver was cut short and fell over his eyes. Those eyes were like orbs of sapphire, so deep blue that one could seem to drown in their depths. His skin was smooth as silk and his face was set with a beautifully dimpled chin and high cheek bones, giving him an air of confidence. But he had none, his confidence, along with any hope of escape, were gone.

The cart stopped just outside the Coliseum and the prisoners were unchained from their poles, but the shackles still remained. They were lead into the building and down a few flights of stairs to the dungeon. Down one of the hallways growls of the caged lions and tigers echoed through the hall, eager for the taste of fresh meat. The boy almost stopped at the foreign sound but was prodded on by a guard.

They came into a room where several other people, it seemed, had been there for ages. One thing he noticed was that at the other end of the room that shone into the outside world where people in strange clothing came and went. What was this place?


He didn’t even notice that the guards had left until he heard them shut the door. At first he was shocked. What would happen to him now? The other people walked over to a place and simply sat. Some attempted to speak with the others, and a few even succeeded. He, however, had no such plan. He walked over to an empty spot near the barred wall and sat on the straw that covered the floor to collect dirt and grime. His white Egyptian skirt fell over his ankles as he pulled his knees up to his chest and stared out blankly at the blue summer sky. Then he did the only thing he could…he waited…


Days passed and still nothing happened. The guards came twice a day to bring food and let the people use the restroom. People from the outside had also stopped to talk with some of the other people, a few even addressing themselves to him. But whether they were giving him an insult or a compliment he couldn’t tell, he didn’t know the language. Not that he cared; here it seemed that there was nothing more for him to do than to waste away. But that was all about to change…

The next morning he was shaken roughly awake and he looked to see one of the guards standing over him. The man said a few words in Latin which the boy didn’t understand before pulling him to his feet and leading him out of the room. Most of the faces he saw as he passed by were full of pity. But why? What was going to happen to him?

He was lead to what seemed to bee a dead end wall and was slightly shocked when two more guards came out of nowhere and strapped a sword to his waist and a dagger on his thigh. While the other simply thrust a spear and shield in his hands before saying a few words and disappearing. Suddenly the wall seemed to open up in front of him and sunlight flooded in, blinding him as he was practically shoved out into the arena full of cheering people.


The sight was amazing. Never in his life had he seen such a crowd. He turned slowly, staring at them in awe. They were so tall and pale, but a few of what little he could see were in fact quite beautiful. He stopped and stared at a fairly large box that stood atop the crowd. In it was a small group of people, mostly men but he could pick out a couple of women and even a few children. His attention was drawn back to his level as the other side began to open. Now that he had weapons in his hands he posed into a fighting stance out of habit. But as the lion came out of the doors he was slightly confused. Surely the creature was tame. They didn’t really expect him to fight it, did they?

His question was quickly answered as the animal charged and pounced on him, gnashing at him with teeth and claws. He held his spear in front of him for defense but the creature easily pinned him to the ground.

A series of booing came from the people and confused the boy even more. Why wasn’t anyone helping him? Didn’t they see that this creature was going to kill him? Then the possible realization struck him. They enjoyed this, they enjoyed watching creatures pitted against men to see who would emerge the victor. They wanted him to fight.

Refusing to let himself be killed in front of theses heathens he threw his weight into his feet and flipped the lion over his head before rolling away and springing to his feet. The lion paced for a moment, watching him, as if deciding what to do and then charged him one more. The fight was on!
The teen blocked the blow as the lion reared up on it hind legs and attempted to swat him to the ground with a menacing paw. But instead of his paws hitting flesh they hit the wood of the shield. The boy took the opportunity and gave the cat a swift kick in the gut and shoved it off him, his spear grazing the creatures shoulder. He aimed a moment and hurled the weapon at the large creature but the cat easily dodged and pounced as it threw him to the ground again, knocking the shield from his grip and sending it skittering across the dirt.

He quickly pulled out his sword and gave the creature a passing blow before dodging its attack. The cries of the crowd grew louder and more excited. He knew he needed to find a way out of this. At this point, however, the only way was to kill the lion. So be it. As the creature advanced yet again the boy planned his strategy. If he used the creatures weight against it he might have a shot, but only one. Well, he’d better make it count.

The lion charged and the teen dodged to the side, only to drop his sword and leap on the creatures back the next moment, wrapping his arms around its neck in a headlock. The crowd roared with excitement but the boy paid no heed, he knew this was his only chance. He’d have to be quicker than the cat. With a sudden motion he heaved his weight to the pulling the creature with him but slipped out before its body fell and would easily have crushed his arm. The cat was on its back, but only for a split second. Like lightning the boy pulled the dagger from its sheath and plunged the weapon into the cats throat, silencing it as blood sprayed all over his face and chest. The creature lay still and the boy sighed in relief. It was over,.. so he thought.


The crowd burst into an uproar and he looked up and around as people were cheering and shouting for him. He stared down at the majestic animal and removed the bloodied dagger from its throat, offering a prayer in Egyptian to Sekhmet before sheathing it. He knelt down and closed the creatures eyes, hoping that he’d be forgiven.

As he looked back up he saw that the crowd had grown somewhat silent. One of the men from within the box stood and held out his fist before lifting his thumb toward the sky. Immediately the crowd burst into another uproar so loud that the boy jumped out of slight shock. He looked around in confusion but saw that the door he’d come out off be opened once more as a pair of soldiers beckoned him inside.

He glanced back once more at the man, who it seemed, had just allowed him to live and watched as the man gave a curt nod before dashing like mad into the darkness, earning a few laughs from the crowd. He stood panting a moment before the guards lead him once more into the dungeon room where he had been earlier that day. A few faces looked up and had a look of shock and amazement on their faces. The guards left, shutting the door behind him and once more the boy made his way over to the corner by the bars and sat, trying to take in what had just happened. His body was shaking, it was the closest to death he’d ever come, and he didn’t care to repeat the experience. He stared out blankly at the blue sky, practically oblivious to the fact that hundreds of people were crowding around him to talk and get a look at him. As all this was happening one simple question continued to run through his mind: What would happen to him now?

Note: This is and Ancient Rome roleplay, no modern characters of any kind. I will allow legends and Demi-gods but only a handful so first come first serve.



Name:
Age:
Occupation: (Slave General Senator etc.)
Bio:
Appearance: ( Links accepted)

*~*

Name: Khana
Age: 17
Occupation: Prince turned slave
Bio: he was sent by his brother, the current Pharoah as an embasador to Rome to discuss rumors of a plague that is attacking Romans in Egypt. On his way he was attacked by raiders and sold to slavers who took him to the Colliseum.
Appearance: Khana

[PrincessLUV]

Name: Cato Vitus
Age: 39
Occupation: Senator
Bio: Cato is a warrior turned politician. He fought valiantly in all campaigns and learned quickly to play to his strengths. His honorable nature gained him friends and enemies. Upon a failed attempt on his life that left him with a terrible limp, he decided to become a senator so his words rather than actions could benefit his people. Just before this transition, he became a father and lost his wife. This solidified his decision to stay close to home. He currently makes great attempts at collaborating with neighboring empires.
Appearance: CATO

Name: Aurora Vitus
Age: 16
Occupation: Senator's Daughter...no real job
Bio: Aurora was born to a motherless family, being raised by nannies and her father, her mother figure an old Egyptian woman named Fatima who taught her to be kind as well as cunning. She grew up learning the way of higher society, establishing herself as a pleasant and intelligent young woman. She frequents social events to surround herself with people from all walks of life.
Appearance: Aurora

~
"Interesting," said the man in the shadows as he rubbed his chin, watching the boy out-maneuver the giant cat. He smiled at the victor as he hurried back to his cage. Not many people of his stature could take on such a beast. The victories always made him smile. The men around him continued to talk and boast as coin was exchanged. He left his post, remembering why he was here. He needed several slaves to complete the remodeling in his garden as his daughter begged for a mosaic upon the walkway rather than the dull tiling. He always yielded to her and needed to know when the next auction would be. He traveled into the dark damp halls, requesting the information from a guard while examining the captives.

Meanwhile, Aurora was laying in the garden. Her arm lightly swaying as her body rested in a hammock. Rays of sun danced on her skin, filtered through the branches and leaves of the flowering fruit tree. She escaped her studies here, accompanied by Fatima as the woman sat nearby painting pottery as her father allowed. The old woman was talented.

"I hope father returns soon, I'd so like to see my mosaic." She looked over to Fatima, knowing it would please her also.

[Axion]

Name: Aticus
Age: 19
Occupation: Centurion
Bio: Aticus was born a Gladiator, being forced to wield a sword since he turned 11. After winning enough battles, he was 'freed' into the Roman army, trading one killing arena for another. The major difference is that he is now paid for killing.
Appearance: Aticus

[Tsumugi Kotobuki]

Name: Grad
Age: 20
Occupation: Aurora's personal Guard
Bio: Grad had been a born soldier, he started training when he was five years of age. His mother taught him to read, write, and speak in many languages. He had become an adept fighter by the time he was twelve. At the age of 16, he was already at high rank in the roman army. At age 20, Grad is now the guardian of the senator's daughter, Aurora.

Appearance: once I get to a computer I will provide an image.

[O-Ren]

Name: Grurral Vakine
Age: 25
Occupation: Slave/gladiator
Bio: Wrestled from his home in the rustic lands of Gaul. A European mutt, beaten down and smuggled from his land by the Roman's as sport. He was the leader of rather large army, their brutish animalistic fighting skills were no match for the technologically advanced Romans as his brethren were slaughtered in the heat of battle, but instead of joining them in the fertile fields of the afterlife he was captured and made into a slave. The Romans first attempted to use him as a labor force, to build aquaducts and houses, but his unbridled violence proved rather troublesome as he immediately attempted to attack guards as they attempted to explain what he was to do in a strange language he did not recognize. After severly hurting one guard with a pick axe used to quarry stone they hauled him off to one of the small neighboring colosseums where they pitted man against beast and his fellow man for their own entertainment. It is the first stage on the path of a Gladiator.
Appearance: Tall and well built, lightly tanned skin, riddled with scars and primitive tattoos covers coiling muscles. Long brown hair, matted and filthy, soiled by dirt and seat frames his face. His features are very different from the roman's, angular features and paler skin clouded and muddled with dirt. Fierce green eyes look on from under a furrowed brow, and his thin lips are humorless moving only to speak the strange language of his newly captured land. Warpaint still stains his face, clinging to his pores. His battle furs were stripped from him and traded off by the caravan that took him back to the Roman Empire. He wears only meager slave pants and a thin cotton shirt.

IC:
The heat sweltered, unfortunately he was not used to such warm, humid weather, the northern lands of Gaul where cold and crisp, and as sweat collected on his skin, his face looked relaxed for the first time in the month it took them to transport him to this strangely glorious city. His face, handsome in the same respect a beast such as a wolf or hawk is found handsome, stared into the ashy dirt that composed the floor of his containment cell. Bruises and wounds riddled his flesh, results of the battle he had the day before with strange beasts he had never seen before. Fearsome beasts with the same blood thirsty look in their eyes, fangs bared, put into the same situation much as himself. They were both agitated, somewhat frightened though they portrayed the fear with a brutish anger and lust for blood. The crowd cheering as he used the weapon thrust into his hands only moments before to take down the beast. These people were strange indeed, this culture odd and primitive in their own way.

He shifted as he broke from his thoughts, memories from the fight, his body pressed against the back wall, legs sprawled out before him as he leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Other slaves yelled in languages that were unfamiliar to him, words and sounds that meant nothing to him. Some mumbled quietly, fast rythmic verses, most likely prayers to their gods, yet others crooned loudly like wild beasts, pressed up against the bars holding them in their cells.

He used the sweat on his forhead to push the hair off of his face, his shirt was already removed and laying in the dirt, ashy and disheveled much like everything else. He jingled the loose shackles on his wrists, pulling at them idly as he blocked out the yells, murmers, howls and roars of the animals that were not too far away, half starved and craving the flesh of the humans in the same position as them that drifted on the wind that slowly made its way down the corridors of the small Colosseum.

All he could do was wait and see what battle he would be put into next. He closed his eyes and retreated into the sanctuary of his memories of home, of his youth, of his friends now long dead.

[Sphere]

Name: Roman and Rowan
Age: 16
Occupation: Artisan/street urchin
Bio: Long story short, they're the bastard sons of an army general, who in a fit of drunken rage one night, had left his home and ended up in a brothel. There, he had met and subsequently slept with their mother, a rather beautiful and expensive whore. Unbeknownst to him, she had gotten pregnant and disappeared from the whore house for sometime. The general went back to his home and his wife while his whore was left to go through pregnancy by herself. Once the twins were born, their mother cared for them until the tender age of 5 before she deemed them old enough to take care of themselves. She resumed her prostitution and was found dead a year after her 'glorious' return to the whore house. The twins survived by stealing what they can and making odd crafts that they'd sell. Rowan seemed to be the more talented one in the field of making pottery and mosaics while Roman was a master at subtly manipulating people into buying his twins wares with his words alone. The duo live in a shack made by themselves in the forest and have learnt to hunt and identify things that are safe to be eaten.
Appearance: Roman and Rowan

[PrincessLUV]

There was an interesting selection today, ranging from lithe youths to haggard warriors. Gladiators all in their own right. It was almost a shame that such talent was wasted for entertainment when it could be bred for the ranks. The Emperor put such a weight on linage that he would never allow such training. It was likely for the better as you never could be sure when a wild animal would turn upon those who feed it.

Cato walked through the dark and musty hall, peering in each cage at the beasts of men that occupied the cells. A guard guided him through, making suggestions and jabbing at those who dared to get to close to their iron confinements. He stopped at a man toying with the chains that bound him. The guard stopped looking at the man and then to the senator.

"This one would not make a good worker, his temper landed him here," he warned. Cato dismissed the thought, examining the unique creature. Among his peers, Cato was called 'the collector' for his wide range of foreign slaves. He strangely preferred them to his fellow countrymen, some believed he was readying his kin for the end of the Empire and called him a fool.

"If one continued to believe that you could not break a wild stallion then we would have no work horses," the more powerful man replied lightly. "If he survives his next match have him brought to my home, regardless of the price." When he wanted something he went to any means to get it.

~
"I don't see why your father needs more workers. You have so many men to do this," the maid replied with a heavy sigh as Aurora rose from the hammock and looked over her garden. Most of her plants were coming into bloom and you would never know that they were cared for by her delicate hands rather than that of the slaves. She admired the statue of Pamona, still choosing the gods of her people rather than that silly religion that was thrust upon the people. Her worship provided her garden ample protection and it had never been plagued by insects or flooded by rain. Her hand reached for a fig only to fall short.

"Better to make beauty than to risk one's life for the sake of entertainment. Regardless of what task they preform they will be slaves and father is a kind master." The girl hopped a little, determined on acquiring the fruit as she spoke to the old woman. The reply may the laugh lines on the wrinkled brown face appear. The girl was right, Cato was indeed a kid master though a bit forceful to some. She said nothing for fear of consequence but the old maid knew things his daughter would not care to. Things that were a norm for many. She was innocent though, let someone else taint her later.

"You know," Aurora stopped to interject a thought, "I have not seen Grad this morn either."

[Khan_Benitera]

The young Egyptian sighed gently as he sat in the small cage he had been filtered into after his fight. His wounds had been checked over, an once they were deemed to be not life threatening, he was sent on his way, without the medical aid some of them would still require. He paid it no mind though, if these people had any real sense of investment, they would take better care of them, so he knew it would only be a matter of time before someone slipped up.

His blue eyes slid over the area around his cell, which was one of the few that held a small barred window for people from the streets to look in. Several came and poked their heads nearby, commoners and nobles alike to stare at the beautiful foreigner. Some could even compare him to having the appearance of a girl, but he had more strength than most would think, after all, he had just taken down a lion. It had been difficult at first, but he was used to war and killing, as well as to peace, and it always took him a moment to transition from one to the next.

He noticed a man walking by the cells and stopping nearby to speak in the strange tongue that he could barley understand, occasionally a word here or there. He watched him with a guard for a moment before looking back out towards the streets of the city near the Colosseum. He stood up for a moment, lightly pulling on the chains on his wrists as he attempted to stretch and relieve some sore muscles, wondering when his next match would be.

[Sphere]

Rowan and Roman were running from some guards. It was good exercise and due to their slim, compact forms, they managed to evade the guard easily. The reason the duo had been running was due to the fact that Roman seemed to think that stealing a bag of gold from the newly recruited guards would be a good idea. Rowan, the voice of reason would usually not condone the behavior but they were lacking in funds for their crafts and food. It didn't take long for Roman to persuade his younger twin to just go with it. Once they were safely away, Rowan let out a tired sigh, having stopped near the cell where they kept newly acquired slaves for the Colosseum.

"Well, that was fun." Roman said with a grin, causing his brother to roll his eyes and sigh.

"If you say so." he said tiredly, just as he caught sight of a person near the small window of the room he was leaning on. Roman, catching the look came forward and the two red headed twins peered in, seeing a rather handsomely pretty man stand in the room, arms bound in chains. He looked deceptively fragile but Roman could spot the muscles on the man's lithe build. From the looks of him, he must have been foreign. An idea came into his head as he looked at his brother. Rowan nodded, seeming to get the idea as the duo shuffled off in perfect unison, Roman to the guard that was guarding the cell and Rowan towards the room with the prisoner. The artist in them would not let the beauty the man possessed rot in a cell. They were going to have to move quick. With Roman distracting the guard, Rowan easily slipped passed them both, releaving the man of his keys and making his way to the cell where he grinned mischievously at the foreigner. In a heartbeat, the door was unlocked and Rowan was helping unbind the foreigner, tugging him out and running, whistling to signal for Roman to meet them up with him at their stall.

It was just another day for the resident tricksters twins of the city and it was barely pass noon.

[Axion]

Aticus walked down the path, shaking his head slightly. He had just come off the front lines and he was now asked to report to a senator... or some politician. He did not know which, not really caring. All he knew his entire life was fighting and killing, so this waiting and reporting to someone was rather annoying to him. All he knew was that his commander had told him to report to a man named Cato, so that is what he was going to do. When he reached his destination, he took in the view of the house. He was not used to seeing living structures this big, mostly seeing hut and shack type lodgings.

"So this is how the better half lives... must be nice... Oh well I guess I should find this Cato, my commander said he would know why I am here... I do not even know why I am here, but orders are orders."

He was first a gladiator, having to fight for his survival. Since the age of 11, he was taught to fight using different tactics depending on his opponent and their weapon choice. After years of fighting in the arenas, Aticus had won enough fights and respect to earn his 'freedom' which was into the army. After putting his confusion aside, he knocked on the door, not even sure if Cato was even home.

[Tsumugi Kotobuki]

Grad walked through the buildings, he was going to gardens to meet the senators daughter. He walked out into gardens watching everything in sight, calculating everything that moved. Finally he came upon two women. He slowly walked up to them, walking ever so quietly. That was until the hilt of the Great Sword on his back got hit a statue. "Aurora I am here," he said, looking at the back of both ladies heads.

[PrincessLUV]

The knock came to the attention of the house slaves, a young man no more than fifteen hurried to open the gate. he did so, greeting the soldier with a smooth smile and a pretty face.

"You must be from the barracks, the master isn't home but the lady of the house is. Please come this way."

Aurora turned sharply, dropping from her toes to heels and balancing lightly and looking him over. By far he was her favorite person employed under her father. She told him secrets and often convinced him to play along in her childish ploys that Fatima never approved of.

"We missed your company this morn, Grad." She looked back at the fig and to him to ask if he would assist. "Father should be home soon, if you care to walk me to the market place later?"

[Tsumugi Kotobuki]

"I'm sorry my lady, but someone needed me to help them with a task," Grad bowed to her and looked to Fatima. He bowed to her as well. "I shall, for I am your personal guard, why wouldn't I?" He then took his place beside her, "When are we to go to the market place?"

[Khan_Benitera]

Khana's eyes snapped open as he looked up and saw a boy in his cell, his eyes widening a bit as they snapped open. He tensed as the boy suddenly came forward and undid his chains. Was this boy breaking him out of here?! The thought was a bit ridiculous, but he wasn't going to pass up a chance at freedom. He stood as the boy tugged him away and quickly followed, using his own skills before he stopped once he saw that they were actually brothers, twins in fact.

He stared at the two for a moment, a pang going through his heart before he shook his head and followed the twins as they ran off onto the street, stopping once they were safe as he stopped and looked at them once more, just staring. What on earth had possessed them to do such a thing, let alone try and break him out. It was a huge risk, one he was sure that could have ended badly, but he was grateful none the less.

[Sphere]

They were giggling by the time they reached their stall, near the very entrance of the city. It was both a good and bad place to set up their stall, mainly because the sometimes brutish guards would come in, knocking over their wares and leaving them at that or the other merchants would purposely try to sabotage them. After all, they were merely children. The good thing about it is that the travelling merchants would see their wares first and last when they entered and left, prompting them to buy at least something as the trinkets they made, while using cheap materials were actually quite well done.

"I can't believe we did that." Roman said as he shared a grin and a high five with his twin. Rowan couldn't believe it either and was grinning from the sheer adrenaline. Once they had calmed down, the duo turned to look at the foreigner, twin stares full of excitement and expectation centered on the foreigner.

"I'm Rowan." one of the twins introduced. "And I'm Roman." the other added. "Who are you?" they asked in perfect unison.