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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 18, 2013 1:11:54 GMT -5
Cassandra walked down the street in the middle of her own small procession. Ahead, a slave girl sprinkled perfumed water to protect against both rising dust and the stench of the slave market. A few of her husband’s trusted gladiators walked next to and behind her, eyes on the crowd and hands on borrowed swords. Cassandra was a slight girl of fifteen, her hair elaborately braided and dressed in all the finery befitting the wife of a retired senator. Her husband wasn’t with her, which wasn’t something she minded or even gave much thought. He was too feeble to consummate the marriage, let alone follow her around the markets all day. He had been famous for his gladiators when he had been a younger man, part of which – along with being very, very wealthy- was what had swayed her father to allow such a match. She was supposed to be buying females today, an old favorite with the crowds, and she was quite wrapped up in conversation with one of her guards when she stopped cold, nearly causing a collision on the narrow street. She had been avoiding looking at the men, mostly because she couldn’t suppress a mixture of pity and disgust and one had made a lewd gesture at her and caused quite the scene with one of her younger gladiators. But this one had caught her attention and when their eyes met, something inside her leapt in recognition. Her guards protested, but she ignored them, sending a slave girl to the man’s owner with a purse and instructions. She looked back at the man and blushed when she realized he was still staring at her but her guards quickly closed ranks and moved her along.
The girl approached the slaver, haggling on her mistress' behalf for a moment before following his towards the man. The slaver left his hands and ankles shackled, but separated him from the rest of the men.
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 18, 2013 1:59:58 GMT -5
Alex stood straight and tall, calmly surveying the dusty marketplace, his attitude and self assurance showing plainly on his face. It was part of what made him so deadly in the arena, but also why his services changed hands so much.
It was actually her hair that caught his attention that day- even in braids it looked soft and perfect. Soon after he caught sight of fine linen and gold bangles, and his face twisted into a more practiced blankness, something he was glad for when he caught her watching him in return. It was only once her girl approached and she was hurried away than he finally looked down, kicking at his shackles listlesly
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 18, 2013 8:56:08 GMT -5
The girl eyed him a moment after the slaver wandered off, trying to find what had caught and held her mistress' attention. Finally she shook her head, motioning for him to follow down the crowded streets. "Do you always stare so openly at free women?"
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 18, 2013 18:00:03 GMT -5
Alex grunted softly, looking her up and down slowly, but didn't make any response
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 18, 2013 18:24:14 GMT -5
She rolled her eyes, tugging lightly on his chain. "Let's go."
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 18, 2013 18:27:03 GMT -5
Alex jerked on the chain obstinately before following
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 18, 2013 18:32:45 GMT -5
"I've seen you fight." She said conversationally, leading him back to the house.
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 18, 2013 20:58:44 GMT -5
Alex gave a half grin and glanced at her. "And?"
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 18, 2013 21:10:15 GMT -5
"You could be better." She shrugged, leading him around to the slave entrance and through the winding corridors. "Clean up and wait for our mistress to return."
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 18, 2013 22:31:28 GMT -5
Alex gave a dark laugh and shook his head. "As if you know."
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 18, 2013 22:34:58 GMT -5
"As you say." She shrugged, stopping at a locked gate that marked the gladiators' quarters to unlock his shackles. "You will eat when the others return."
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 18, 2013 23:48:58 GMT -5
Alex shrugged and turned away from her
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 19, 2013 8:48:37 GMT -5
She locked the gate behind him and walked away.
It was a few hours later when the gladiators returned. Caius, easily the oldest and most scarred - and the one who had protested the loudest against buying Alex, sought him out. "You're wanted upstairs."
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 19, 2013 18:46:23 GMT -5
Alex grunted and hauled himself into a standing position. "Why?"
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 19, 2013 20:09:14 GMT -5
Caius shrugged. "Didn't ask."
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 19, 2013 20:33:55 GMT -5
Alex rolled his eyes and shouldered past Caius
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 19, 2013 21:34:56 GMT -5
Caius didn't react, following after him. "You're only making it worse for yourself, boy."
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 19, 2013 21:41:41 GMT -5
"That so?" Alex asked airily
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Post by Jack Lupus on Mar 19, 2013 21:48:27 GMT -5
"Guess we'll find out." Caius said evenly, walking ahead of him to the gate, waiting for the girl to unlock it before leading Alex back upstairs.
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Post by Evlyn Montgomary on Mar 19, 2013 22:43:04 GMT -5
Alex followed, his face blank
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