Of Gold and Crimson

Roleplay


The sunlight shone through the bars on the slumbering form of the once spartan warrior. He slumbered in a fitful sleep, filled with dreams of swords, screaming and pain. A particular hard jolt woke him. His unnaturally dark eyes, almost black looked around, picking up every detail of the surroundings. The cart had come to a halt at an estate. Looking at the simple yet efficient design he used the bars to help heft himself to his feet. The fat slave driver moved to get off the cart and Panthros allowed himself a small sin, sticking his leg between the bars he hefted a hard kick at the fat man's ass as he stretched, causing him to sprawl in the street. Panthros sneered as the obese man pushed himself to his feet, unlimbering a sword "Watch yourself Gladiator else I run this into your gullet and feast on your kidneys!" He growled in a threatening manner.

Panthros leaned down, bending his knees and looked at the fat man with hard eyes "Do it." he whispered "Do it you tub of pig fat." His gaze was unsettling, so strong, so determined for one in a position of slavery.

The fat man yielded, turning away he strode to the house in an effort to regain his composure and dignity. Three swift hits on the door he stepped back, pulling a small scroll from his belt.

There was only a moment before the door was answered and there, with an eyebrow raised, stood Dorian. He was tempted to simply wait for an introduction, but he checked his curiosity in favor of manners, as usual. He lowered his head politely. "Good day sir," he greeted smoothly before raising his head and locking eyes with the trader, never once sparing a glance at his... wares. "May I inquire as to the nature of your visit?"

The slaver wiped his nose with a sleeve as he spoke "The Late owner of this estate left behind some property at the arena. Since we usually deal with this ourselves I regretfully inform you that this particular item is unsuitable for sale and is being handed back to the new lady of the estate. She's the new owner." He said before jerking his thumb at the hard man inside the cage who was watching with a dark expression on his face "Because he is a Gladiator she is also not allowed to own him." He said handing over the scroll "This is from the guards letting you know she needs to sell him herself within the week otherwise will find herself in the prison." He said before stepping forwards and speaking in a low voice, a wave of stench coming from his unwashed body "In my opinion, she should just kill him and save us all the trouble. He's a brute and in my opinion, untrainable. Do yourself a favour" He said before turning and walking back to the crate on the cage and began to unhitch the ropes holding the steel on "Anyway, he's your problem now." He said undoing the last one, the cage dropping to the floor, leaving behind the wheels and chair still attached to the oxen. "Enjoy" he said flatly before climbing up on the cart and with a jerk, was gone from sight.

Panthros watched the fat man fast talk his way out of a problem, namely, Panthros before he turned his unsettling gaze on the man at the door. "Well?" He asked with a shrug, hands still tied "Are you going to invite me in?"

"Invitations are for guests," Dorian replied as he slowly stepped away from the door and began to circle the crate, steps measured, all the while keeping a very safe distance as he took in the man's appearance. He would need a complete bathing. He sighed mentally with that knowledge, but continued in the same tone as before, as if giving a gentle lesson to a child you knew would understand, "One does not get invited into their own home, whether it is old, present, or new." He stopped in front of him and frowned. "I am honestly surprised you sat still long enough for them to nail you in there," he said softly, almost absently, then tilted his head a little. "You can break out, can you not?" He wasn't afraid, he wasn't even uncertain. He sounded more... curious.

Panthros looked at the smaller man with those intense dark eyes, the ghost of a smile crossed his lips as he stepped closer to the bars, a moment later it was gone and his brows lowered "Why don't you cut these ropes and we will see if I can in deed break out" He urged quietly, the small smile came to his lips once more, this time however it was there momentarily before his upper lip twitched, showing his distaste for the man before him. "The fat one said that a woman is in charge. Where is she?" He asked, his tone lightening a little, but still his hands remained proffered, not outside the bars, but inside. If this man wanted to see him escape.. well, let him reach inside first.

"Lady Luna can not be bothered with answering the door for every knock," Dorian answered patiently though his eyes were still roaming over the cage as if to figure it out. He wasn't dismissing Panthros, he honestly didn't seem bothered to answer the questions no matter how angry or agitated they may be, but he had something else in mind as well. "I shall see if I can retrieve your key. Be still until I return-" He finally met Panthros' eyes and gave him a smile that almost laughed at his situation. "I'm sure you will." And without waiting for a response, he turned and strode back inside. With the purchase of a gladiator came a key (or any caged slave really) so surely the master would have it somewhere? Hm, perhaps his study....

It was roughly ten minutes before Dorian returned, key in hand. He held it up for Panthros to see. "You are lucky Master was organized," he informed the slave but again, hovered just outside what would be Panthros' reach from inside the cage, even with a leg. He made no move to open the confinement. "What is your name?" he asked instead, tilting his head a little and making sure to meet the other man's dark eyes with his own pale grey ones.

---

Luna looked out over her garden from the bench she sat on. Paper and pen in hand as she sketched the scenery in front of her. What sounded like someone clearing their throat startled her out of her daze. Looking over her shoulder she spotted her handmaid near by, waiting patiently. Luna waved her forward and made room on the bench for her. The girl hurried forward, bowed slightly before taking her seat. "My lady... a man came by a few moments ago and dropped off a...package. It appears to be the Masters Gladiator." Luna froze for a moment, rolling this over in her mind before she turned to the girl and smiled. "You don't say?" A mischievous grin replaced the soft smile that once adorned her face. "Thank you, my dear." The maid bowed and hurried back into the house. Luna tapped her slippered foot for a moment before standing and heading into the house to the entryway where she leaned against a near by wall and watched Dorian interact with the handsome looking Gladiator.

---

Panthros had sat while waiting for the slave to return, as he saw him exiting the house again he rose, flexing his shoulders as he tested the ropes. Looking down as Dorian approached he figured he'd be able to break them, but chose not to for the time being, he would wait, watch. If he could he would gain their trust first so he had a little freedom in the home, then he would strike, kill the stupid woman in charge and make this one drink her blood "Panthros" he spoke, his voice even and calm, avoiding giving away the blood-lust that had risen in him "Are you going to let me out or stand there and watch me cook in the sun?" He asked flatly, as he stared into the grey eyes of the slave before him he stepped forwards to the bars his brows furrowing, now in a suspicious tone he spoke, his voice lowered a whole octave "What is it you really want..?"

"It is rarely wise to open the pen of a raging bull," Dorian replied, and continued to watch Panthros steam for another few moments. "But I suppose no matter how long I wait, you will not stop snorting." He sighed and took a few slow steps to the lock of the cage, his eyes never leaving Panthros'. "I will let you out... but I ask that you stay at least long enough for us to negotiate the terms of your behavior. This house does not need another debacle. Please, I will see that you receive something to eat, and show you to your new quarters, and THEN if you wish to... continue this attitude-" He motioned vaguely to Panthros' body. "Well, I suppose alternate measures will need to be taken." He finally placed the key in the lock, surprisingly without looking away from the gladiator, and turned it. Hearing a click, he grabbed a bar and carefully opened the door to let Panthros out, almost certain the ropes would not need to be cut.

Panthros was about to snort in defiance and shock at his words of 'raging bull' but decided it was best not to. The words 'Negotiate the terms of his behavior' however set his teeth on edge. He was about to say something before the Grey eyed man opened his cage. Panthros was surprised the point of not moving for a moment and it was only by an inclination of his head that Panthros blinked, stepping outside the cage for the first time outside the arena in weeks. "You're not like others." he said quieter than before, a slightly confused expression on his face. He offered his arms "Care to amuse me and remove the ropes?" He asked, his harsh attitude softened for a while as he was shown... leniency. Suddenly his previous decision to kill this one shifted. Panthros caught himself before he delved too far into the thoughts, this all could be a ruse, the man before him could be just trying to trick him into- Panthros caught himself again, 'I'm sounding like a paranoid man' He thought looking back at Dorian. 'I'll just take things as they come' he thought once more

"I thank you for not strangling me," Dorian told him honestly with a bow of his head, his eyes lowered as he might greet any guest. A gladiator was above him, if only slightly, after all. He stepped forward and with deft hands untied the roped, letting them fall to the ground before gesturing Panthros inside. He held up a hand and snapped his fingers twice. Two young men, in their late teens, hurried out. They froze at the sight of Panthros, but, slightly cowering, waited for orders. "Take the cage to the stables," Dorian ordered them, but his voice was soft. "We will deal with it later." He was glad to receive nods and the boys skirted around Panthros to get to the cage, hefting it up they began to carry it around the house. "Come," Dorian said to Panthros, using his head to gesture this time and then took the lead inside. "I will show you the House, and you may tell me of your past. I do not wish to assume you will behave one way, only to cause you to act another-" He froze in the entranceway when his eyes fell on Luna. He was quick to put a hand on his chest and bow low. "My lady... I thought you were in the garden," he explained, but his tone was laced with an apology. What good was he if he didn't know where the person he was serving was? How could he serve them if he couldn't find them??

Luna pushed away from the doorway she was leaning in and stepped over to Dorian's side. Placing a gently hand on his shoulder, indicating that he should rise. "I was, until one of the maids informed me that we had a guest. I would not have been very polite of me to just ignore him, now would it?" Looking at Dorian for a moment, her eyes soft, almost teasing as she turned to the stranger behind Dorian. "Hello, my name is Luna, and who might you be?" Stepping around Dorian, she gave Panthros a once over before her blue eyes rested on his dark ones. Of course she'd heard his name through the window, but she wanted a formal introduction, at least, as formal as she got.

Panthros had been rubbing his wrists as the blood now flowed freely through to his hands. He had begun to speak to say he was from Sparta when the smaller man suddenly stopped. Seeing him bow he looked at him in surprise before following his gaze to the woman. Seeing how she interacted with Dorian he frowned a little, this house and its occupants confused him "Guest?" He half asked before she turned her attention to him asking him his name "My name? What do you care what my name is?" He said sharply, cutting Dorian off as he opened his mouth to speak "Judging from your clothing however you're the lady of the house. Either that or the local whore." He said with an open grin "It has been a while since I've rutted.. Call me Panthros" He said stepping forward and opening and closing his hand as he rubbed his wrist.

"This," Dorian stressed once he had righted himself and recovered from his shock of hearing Panthros speak in such an uncouth manner to his mistress. "Is Lady Luna, your new mistress- Master, if the previous term is giving you any.. thoughts." He couldn't even use an adjective for what he figured the word was making Panthros think. He looked at Luna with a pleading expression. "Forgive me, my lady, I was just showing your newest acquisition the House before I had him washed and dressed and put to a position suitable to his... talents." He glanced at Panthros, once again seeming to size him up and look for a 'talent' besides murder. He soon gave up and returned his attention to his owner, placing a hand on his chest again in a gesture of submission and apology, though he did not bow again. "If you will excuse us, I will see to him, and I assure you, your dinner will be ready at the usual time."

Luna gave no inclination that him calling her a whore had upset her. She knew it was far from the truth. Sure she dressed far from modest, but she dressed better than any whore. Tilting her head to the side every so slightly, she eyed him carefully. As Dorian began to speak, her features softened yet again as she turned to him, a small smile spreading across her delicate lips. "As usual, Dorian, there is no rush. It isn't as if I have anyone to share dinner with anyway." The words left her mouth before her mind could register she'd said them. Clearing her throat, pain clear in her eyes. "If you will excuse me." Hurrying back outside, into the garden, her dress flowing behind her. The garden was where she'd taken up sanctuary since Aelius had passed, which is why Dorian knew exactly where she had been. The garden was the only place she didn't hurt as much.

Panthros watched her go before shaking his head and looking back to Dorian. "She's gonna get eaten alive" he muttered as he switched wrists to rub, after getting the feeling back in his hands he folded his arms "What do you mean by suitable talents, Dorian? I am no farmer or stage hand, I'm a gladiator, a warrior, nothing more. I will not do idle housework like some sort of mai-" His words were cut off by a beautiful slave girl that walked past, his eyes followed her as she entered the hall disappearing from sight ".... Maiden." He finished quietly before blinking and shaking himself out of his... condition. Turning his attention back to Dorian as he regained use of his mind.

"Perhaps guard work would suit you best then," Dorian replied with a small shrug, only once he was certain Luna would not see. Again, he nodded in a way that beckoned Panthros to follow him as he led the gladiator around the House, explaining each room: the study, the library, Luna's studio, the dining hall, kitchen, etc. He ended with the hall that jutted off the main building to the back. The servants' quarters. "I do not want you to feel bored," Dorian explained as he walked, frowning as he looked at Panthros next to him. He had stayed like that the entire tour, not leading him around per sey, but more walking with him, like a companion. "But Lady Luna is not permitted at this time to own a gladiator, and with the Master's passing...." He frowned and sighed, looking forward again. "You may be sold before we even find a purpose for you here." He paused in front of one of thick curtains that marked doorways and gave Panthros a frown. "I am sorry, but unless we find another way, you may only receive a bath, clothes, and a meal here before we must send you away again. Nonetheless, we are hospitable. The Master desired to own you, and so it is our duty to care for you at the very least as much as he did. Until such a time as we absolutely must remove you from the Mistress' ownership, this shall be your room." He turned away on his heel and grabbed the curtain, having to let go of his other hand where the two had been clasped behind his back, and pulled it aside. Behind the curtain was a modest room, but the bedding was thick and plush. The walls were bare pale grey stone and there were a few poufs and pillows about, but not too much to look cluttered. A simple stone vanity, with basin for water and a polished copper mirror was against one wall, on the far wall a small window that showed the level garden where the herbs and vegetables, not the flowers, grew (it was the practical area, not the impress area, after all). "I hope you will find them suitable for the time being?" He raised an eyebrow at Panthros, mentally crossing his fingers that he didn't become furious and crack the walls with weapons, or other nonsense that he would no doubt have to fix, or have to have someone else fix.

Panthros stepped into the room for a moment. He was silent for a while as all the things he was told ran through his mind. Being sold again did not phase him. Death however... He turned to Dorian, for the first time since meeting him he showed a bit of vulnerability "If I am unable to be sold.. Will they let me die by the blade?" He asked his tone low, gentle. This to him wasn't a time for ferocity or brute strength. This was a time for... honesty. "I am Spartan Dorian. A death of old age with legend battles behind me, or a death on the battlefield. That is the way a spartan lives and how he should die." He said before stepping towards him "So what is to become of me should I not get a buyer?"

Dorian's eyes were sad, his hands once again clasped behind his back as if they belonged that way. Which, to him, they did. "You will be put to death," he answered softly. "I am sorry, Panthros, I know it would be a great dishonor but only men may own gladiators. It is not a woman's place-"

"I'll have to change that then, won't I, Dorian?" Luna, now more calm then she was earlier, came looking for the two. Her husband was gone, never to return and she was going to move on from this moment forward. Stepping closer, Luna eyed Panthros carefully. "How good of a gladiator are you, Panthros? Are you worth keeping?" Clasping her arms in front of herself the corner of her mouth twitched slightly, as if she were holding back a smile.

Panthros was surprised at her entrance, and her newly composed self. His brows furrowed a little at the statement of her changing things, he ignored it for the time being, but vowed to return to it "I am Spartan. We are born warriors, we are the best. I have been in the arena thirty times. Not only am I undefeated... I am unwounded" He said turning to her fully "Do you intend on sparing my life from an un-honorable death... Lady?" he asked, using her formal title, and showing a little respect for the first time. If there was a chance to survive, he would not bite the hand that fed him.

Luna brushed passed Dorian to get closer to Panthros. Walking around him slowly, she eyed every part of his body. "I do. If you are as good as you say you are, then you will be worth it. I see no reason in you losing your life." Crossing her toned arms across her chest as she came around to stand in front of him. "That means you'll be owned by a woman. Is that not dishonorable?" She could really care less. He was her husbands gladiator and no one was going to be owning him but her.

Panthros was again surprised at her tone, her ferocity. This woman had the heartbeat of something strong inside, he folded his own arms, unlike others in the household he did not submit easily. He had been born and raised to challenge, and win. This stance, however challenging, was not in his tone. "In Sparta Women are treated as equal. To quote my father 'Only a Spartan woman can make a Spartan man.' You've got will about you, Lady, I will honor you on the battlefield." He said before glancing at Dorian "I will not however clean like a maid." He said before his eyes slid back to Luna's. "The law however stands in your way. How will you get around it?" he inquired. This place, this woman and this strange man were all new to him. He didn't understand why this Dorian spoke to him as equal, and this woman, the lady of the house. She had seemed so weak when he first met her, but now, there was a fire that burned in her eyes. He suspected that trickery was afoot, but saw nothing that could make his thoughts... real. "Lady... before you answer that. I have one question. Why? Why would you be willing to risk your own freedom for one such as myself? How could I possibly better your position to make your risk worth it?"

Luna shook her head as she waved a hand dismissively. "Of course you wont be doing maid work. There's better use of you else where. Even in the stables, but we'll talk about that later." Luna pulled her bottom lip into her mouth as she began pacing the room in thought. "How in deed..." At his question of why she lifted an eyebrow and turned to face him. "Better my position? I'm not in it for that." Luna's eyes darted to Dorian for a moment as she decided that the truth would be better in this situation. Returning her attention to Panthros she smiled. "Let's sit down in the tablinum, shall we?" Leading the way back through the house and into her husbands, now her, formal study and took her spot behind the desk. As she sat down she waited for them to join her before beginning her story. "When I was a young girl I didn't want for anything. My father had a high position in the senate and was paid handsomely. I had a friend though, who was poor, as poor as you could get. Her mother couldn't find work anywhere so they lived off of her father who was an apprentice for a butcher. He barely got paid. I tried helping as much as I could. Giving them things to sell so that they could live. She was my best friend. Later on when we were in our adolescent years my father found out what the girl had been doing and murder her entire family. He said they should have known better. Whether he did it to get rid of a problem or to set an example, I'll never know. Maybe he thought she was stealing, who knows." Luna shook her head, her dark hair fluttering about her shoulders. "After that day, I pledged that I would never speak to or treat people of lesser stature any other way than how I would like to be treated." Crossing one leg over the other, she sat back, placing her hands in her lap as she watched Panthros take in what she'd said. 

"My lady," Dorian interrupted quietly, giving a little bow of apology as he knew the action was rude. "I speak for the entire acquisition when I say that we have never resented our placement in your House. We are all happy to serve you." His eyes slide to Panthros and he debated saying 'well, most' but put a lid on that thought, righting himself to continue speaking, but he kept his chin tucked slightly in an acknowledgment of his position. "I believe Panthros is simply concerned with how your ownership of him may reflect on the House-" Well... that was the polite way of saying it he supposed. "I have seen him in battle a few times when I accompanied the late Master to the arena. I trust that he would do well in your honor... The problem, my lady.. as he has stated... is that only the Master of the House may use him for battle in the Colosseum..."

As they had walked through the household Panthros looked around again, now that his attention was not on Dorian's mindless droll he was able to take in further what the house had to offer... and who. Seeing a maid heading down the other way in the hall, the girl had stepped aside and bowed for Lady Luna, then when she had passed she turned to continue, Panthros however blocked her way "Hey. I want to see you later. My rooms" he said before placing a hand on her rear and pulling her to his leg "Understand?" He asked before a clearing of Dorian's throat reminded him of the task at hand, letting her go he was glad to see a shocked, embarrassed expression on the girl's face, Panthros winked as he walked onwards, causing the girl to blush harder.

When they entered the fancy office Panthros looked around for a moment, hearing Luna talk he figured it wasn't important and ceased to listen half way through, glancing back at the door to see if any more nice looking slave girls walked past. After she finished speaking he turned back to her, about to open his mouth to ask why she had told him that when Dorian spoke. Hearing what he had to say he glanced at the woman before the table "I can be used for fights. I will win. You just need a way to use me. Why not name him my master and let me actually make a contribution to the house, in return, I don't do..." His lip twitched "Slave work." He said before folding his arms "In return you'd at least be making coin. Bettering your household. I'm sure because you... Romans... aren't as sophisticated as we Spartans, you lost a lot of income when your husband died. You need me." He said his lip twitching to a grin "Why don't we work together, you scratch my back and get me back in the arena. I scratch yours and don't kill your entire household while it sleeps." He said as his grin turned a little savage.

Luna sat back in her chair, staring at Panthros for a while. Several things ran through his mind as the quiet stretched on. Her eyes flicked to Dorian and frowned deeply. "Name Dorian your master? It wouldn't be a bad idea if he could actually do that." Tapping her nails against the arm of the chair, she looked down at her desk in thought. "Need is a strong word, Panthros. I need for nothing. If I didn't want this, it wouldn't be happening." Her eyes flicked up to the Gladiators, they carried a harshness to them that wasn't their a moment ago. "But, I'm all for finding an arrangement."

Dorian's head had shot up at Panthros' suggestion that he play his master and turned very slowly to stare the gladiator, quite convinced he had gone mad, especially when he said those last words. He opened his mouth to chastise him but Luna was speaking and so he visibly forced his feathers down and turned his attention back to his mistress. Only to notice what she was saying. "My Lady, please, I am not worthy of owning a slave-" He gave Panthros a glance that was very carefully neutral before looking at Luna again. "Nor do I desire one. I thank you for such an honorable offer, I do, but-" He wasn't sure what to say, torn between wanting to be humble and decline such a gift, owning a slave was one of the highest honors a person could receive, and his inability to look at his Mistress and blatantly decline an order.

Panthros saw the fire in Luna's eyes and couldn't help but smirk a little. So the lady of the household had a temper.... that, he could work with. When Dorian spoke Panthros looked at him in a surprised, yet concerned look before finally he'd heard enough of the whiny no nonsense he was dribbling and gave him a hard push so he was no longer before the desk, moving over and taking up the whole side he spoke "Quiet Dorian, it doesn't concern you" He said before leaning on the desk and looking Luna in the eyes "Fine, say you don't need me. But we're talking about this which means its obviously something you want. So lets talk. He gets put in charge of me and takes me to the arena and such. You get the coin from my winnings. The less you make me do otherwise, the more coin I will make you on the field with all the fancy bullshit I can do. Make my life hell here, I cut your income with a soldiers efficiency. As I said. You scratch my back, I scratch yours." He said as his mouth turned to a wide grin. Negotiations, ah, what a thrill.

Luna jumped to her feet, eyes blazing as Panthros shoved Dorian. Her right hand flew from her side, slapping Panthros across the face so fast he wouldn't have time to stop her. Narrowing her eyes at him, gritting her teeth in anger. "If you ever... ever... touch one of my slaves again, I'll have your head removed. You're lucky I wont this time." Luna held her hand out to Dorian, wanting him to come to her. Dorian was hers and she'd be damned if she stood by and let someone abuse him. "Dorian is mine and I'll not have you hurting him. Got it!?" Her voice dripped with malice as she stared across the desk at her gladiator. Taking a deep breath to calm herself and reduce the shaking in her hands. Tilting her head to the side slightly she thought about Panthros offer. "You're still mine. I won't make your life hell, unless you deserve it, but as you can see no one else lives in hell here. But you are strong, I may need you for heavier things. But it wouldn't be all the time. An extra pair of hands every now and then is always needed, no matter what household you're in."

"My lady..." Dorian breathed quietly as he came around the desk when she beckoned. He held up a hand to guide her, but wouldn't touch her. "Please sit, I'll bring some tea-" He looked at Panthros with a deep frown, but no anger was there, no distrust, just... concern? "I don't know the houses you lived in before Panthros, but if you think we're going to stick you with a duty you aren't suited to, you're very mistaken. Defiant help is of no use to the House, it is better to work with your strengths than against them, simply to spite you." You must have had some petty masters, he thought, but did not voice it out loud. A slave simply did not speak ill of masters, whether it be their own or others'.




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