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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 11:08:54 GMT -5
*NOTE: SET IN ANCIENT ROME*
"It's okay, kamarad , the pain doesn't last long. It'll be over soon."
Aedan's best friend, Drustan, holds a knife against his throat, the blade cool against his skin. He had been fighting at his back a moment ago, helping the young Celt fight against the Roman forces that would destroy his clan. But now Drustan had spun around and wrapped an arm around Aedan's neck, holding the knife to his throat.
"Why are you doing this?" Aedan asks quietly, "I thought of you as a brother"
"If I help them, the Romans promised they wouldn't hurt my family." Drustan replies "I have to kill you. You'd only stop me. Goodbye, kamarad"
Everything goes black.
Aedan woke up to the shouting of a guard, the Latin words a stark contrast to the comforting words of his own language, the ones from his dream.
After his best friend had tried to kill him, he had survived. Roman soldiers had found him and taken him as a slave. Deciding he had been fit enough to fight in the arena, he had been bought by a gladiator trainer. He had been eighteen when that happened. He was now twenty-three now. Five years in slavery had broken him.
He reached up one hand to feel his clipped ear, the mark of his slavery. He was back in the real world. The smell of blood still filled his nostrils but the shouting of battle was no longer there.
It would be time to start training soon.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 13:16:38 GMT -5
Bump
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 13:32:18 GMT -5
Hey! Cool x
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Bisexual
Kurai
I can't answer why... I'm a blackstar...★
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Post by Kurai on May 24, 2017 14:35:05 GMT -5
The heat of the summer sun warmed her blood, the cold stone deflected the worst of the heat, leaving the air inside the dormus cool and refreshing. In another life she might have found the building beautiful, in its pale brick with verdant, azulian and crimson mosaic tiles adorning much of the wall. The archways were draped with soft linen that fluttered on the slightest breeze and provided the covered corridors with a little extra shade from the sun soaked atrium. She padded barefoot over the sandstone, worn smooth by years of passage. The wealthy and slaves alike walked these halls, some reveling in the glory of their home and others wishing to be anywhere else. Cora was one of the latter. Her flame red hair contrasted with the pale cream of her light cotton tunic. Many slaves would adore such an expensive garment but to her it was another sign of her imprisonment. Her arms were laden with brass plates, piled high with fresh fruit and flat breads. Her masters would be pleased, the head maiden had dressed her nicely, pinned up her usually unruly hair in to a neat Roman style and was now parading her before the Dorminus and his wealthy companions. She would rather that than spend another day at the arena, fanning her master and his wife whilst young men died for their entertainment. Inhaling deeply she rested the tray against a hip before pushing the door open and stipping across the threshold. (Sory very out of practice)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 14:48:54 GMT -5
(No problem. I'll have Aedan go out for practice and we'll get him and Cora to meet)
"Move it, barbarian," snapped a soldier's voice as Aedan walked down the hallways and emerged out onto the courtyard where he would train.
He hated being called 'barbarian', but that was what he was called here in Rome, because he wasn't one of them. He never would be. He had always been an outsider and he would always be an outsider. No matter what he did.
He picked up a wooden sword and practiced his fighting techniques, his mind far away in the rolling hills of Britain.
He was tall and slim and lithe; he had athletic gladiator muscles but he had grown up with runner's muscles from running among the British hills. He was incredibly pale, especially for Romans, who were never used to such paleness. He had short blonde hair and light blue eyes, colouring which fascinated many Romans.
He was working up a sweat, practicing and improving his speed. Aedan's greatest advantage was his speed, as he was a slim but agile fighter. He didn't have as much power behind his attacks but his speed had won him fights on more than one occasion. So that was his weapon, and it was what he relied on a lot.
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Bisexual
Kurai
I can't answer why... I'm a blackstar...★
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Post by Kurai on May 24, 2017 15:11:43 GMT -5
What she had suspected would be a day of wine drinking and merriment, pouring drinks and fetching food, had declined rapidly. After about an hour of idle gossip and a few goblets of wine the men had gathered their belongings and risen, heading towards the training arena. The precision was not complete until her master had turned to her, lifting her chin, his skin dark against the pale porcelain of her face. He studied her carefully looking deeply in to her faded green eyes. There had been fire there once, a need to fight everything a desire for her freedom. "Now we wont be having any trouble from you today will we?" It wasn't really a question, more an order. Still she inclined her head in the smallest nod, what was the point in running?
The training grounds were alive with the sound of wooden swords clattering against each other. The cries of men as they pushed their bodies to the extreme. The men in their expensive robes stood out here like a sore thumb, and yet they couldn't be more in their element as they greeted the supervisors. Asking about promising new gladiators, and eyeing the fighters like one might eye up a horse. She stood at the rear of the group, the sunlight catching in her russet hair, an obvious sign of her celtic heritage. In her hand a large palm frond, extended to offer her master shade. She couldn't help but glance about her at the fighting men, their muscles rippling beneath bronzed skin, sweat beading their brows and running in rivulets from their backs. The majority were barely more than boys, speckled with a few older men who had excelled in the art of killing for sport. She pitied them, but yet at least they could fight to survive. She'd rather that than trapped, requested on demand like a caged bird.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 15:29:02 GMT -5
Aedan had turned his head, halting for a moment in his practice, when a group of rich men greatly intertwined with the Arena arrived in the training grounds. He offered a respectful bow of his head, like the rest of the gladiators, before continuing his training.
That was when his eyes met the green eyes of a young slave holding a palm frond. Porcelain skin. Red hair. A fellow Celt? Undeniably. And she had the same dullness in her eyes, the same one that came from the futility of slavery. So she had been like him. Spirited. The kind of spirit that had to be broken the hard way.
Aedan had tried to escape a lot as a young slave. He was eighteen and full of spirit, so it was hardly surprising. Of course he had never quite succeeded and his troublesome spirit had been shown by the web of silvery scars on his back, from the crack of a whip. The only other visible scars were from fights, but the one around his neck was most noticeable. A perfect line. From the slice of his best friend's blade.
So who was the young Celtic girl? What tribe was she from? So many questions he wanted to ask. But he didn't want to make her uncomfortable if she did not desire for him to ask such questions. The last thing he wanted was to upset the first person who bore any reminder of home. All he wanted was some familiarity.
"See the barbarian?" one of the rich men idly asked another "A prisoner of war. They say he was an excellent fighter in his day"
"And his odds in the Arena?" replied one of the others
"Reasonable, if he were not a Celt. He has speed and agility but lacks strength. They will pit him against a Roman opponent and rig the fight, I expect."
"A terrible waste," tutted the second man in response "But these barbarians must be quashed"
Aedan's ears turned pink with anger, but there was no other sign he had heard the conversation. He did not stop his practice.
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Bisexual
Kurai
I can't answer why... I'm a blackstar...★
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Post by Kurai on May 24, 2017 15:49:06 GMT -5
Her eyes had been traveling across the crowd when she felt the undeniable prickle of being watched. Of course her eyes turned first to her master, usually it would be him checking that she wasn't plotting some escape. This time he seemed so deep in conversation it could not have been him, so once more her eyes returned to the warriors. It wasn't hard to pick the odd one out, where most of the gladiators had golden bronze skin his was as pale as her own. His hair was light, although dusted with sand and sweat obviously that familiar shade of blond that reminded her of home. Her eyes met his for the briefest of moments before lowering to the ground once more. No doubt in a few days time she would see him in the arena, fighting for his life. Her master stepped forwards, and she dutifully followed, keeping the sun from his features as she had been so carefully taught.
"They are not to be underestimated these Celts. I should know." His voice was stronger than those around him and as he spoke people listened. Of course he was referencing her and the amount of time and punishment it had taken to mould her to his standards. "Perhaps you would sell him to me?" There would be no question of money, if he desired something he would own it, the question was why did he desire to add this young man to his already extensive force of gladiators? Cora was as surprised as the rest of his companions, though she of course didn't join in the low rumble of mutterings about his latest frivolous offer. His eyes turned to her once more, a mocking smirk touching his lips. "What do you think Cora? Could we use a little Barbarian blood in our forces?" She said nothing, what could she say? He wasn't actually interested in her opinion and she had learned that to speak out of turn resulted in a sharp backhanded slap across the face.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 16:00:45 GMT -5
Aedan had continued with his training until he heard the master of this young Celtic woman offering to buy him. How strange to make an offer for him so quickly. He hadn't even seen him fight, for one thing. But perhaps, he thought, the discussions of the other men had convinced him of something? He was not so sure.
Aedan's owner, who had come out to meet these important companions, looked a little surprised. But it didn't take him long to strike a deal. Of course it didn't.
"Well, of course, sir. Mind you, he was a troublesome one, when he was younger. Rather spirited" Aedan's master said, before giving Aedan a pointed look and saying "Of course, dogs just need a little housebreaking, hm, Aedan?"
Aedan didn't respond at first, causing his master to repeat his name a little more forcefully, at which Aedan quickly nodded. It was usually his master's repetition that gave Aedan the cue to speak, otherwise he feared speaking out of turn.
"I got him calmed enough, but I cannot guarantee he will not be difficult with a new master. You know the barbarians. I can sell him to you, sir, if you're willing to take him" continued Aedan's master.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 16:52:06 GMT -5
Aedan had been silent, partly because speaking would reveal his shock and nerves, and partly because he didn't want to risk breaking any rules he didn't know yet. He didn't know how this master operated. So the man had simply nodded to confirm his name and shaken his head to show there wouldn't be any trouble. Aedan was just as housebroken as the other young Celt. Had he mentioned he name? Cora?
This was also so sudden. He'd never been involved in such a quick exchange before, though being sold wasn't a new thing to the veteran of slavery. But he was nervous, and it was shown by the fact his fingers reached up to touch the scar on his throat, a nervous habit of his. It wasn't the new master that made him nervous, but the uncertainty.
Then he noticed the girl's gaze on his. Almost...apologetic? She had sympathy for him. Interesting. He gave her the smallest smile and nod in greeting, trying to not draw unwanted attention to himself but to acknowledge the girl at the same time.
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Bisexual
Kurai
I can't answer why... I'm a blackstar...★
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Post by Kurai on May 24, 2017 17:05:36 GMT -5
She couldn't help but offer a small smile in return, the flicker of spark in her eyes flashing only for the briefest of moments. It would be nice to have a small reminder of home in this man, but she had learned that it wasn't wise to get attached, in his line of work people didn't live long. A sharp gesture for them both to follow came from their shared master and she hurried after him, not wanting to spoil his good mood. They reached the impressive dormus and the procession headed inside.
"Cora, take our new friend to the gladiators quarters and get him settled." He said laying a hand possessively on her shoulder. The gladiators were not allowed in the house, instead they had their own quarters in what had once been a stable yard, another grand display of his wealth. She dipped her head and turned to Aedan, her body language suggesting he followed her. Once hey had rounded the corner, out of sight from the main house she visibly relaxed, her stride was effortless and flowing, the soft cotton of her tunic billowing around her slender frame.
"Welcome to the team I guess." It felt strange to speak in her native tongue, rather than in hastily learned Latin. Her voice felt strange, almost restrained.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 17:12:55 GMT -5
Aedan couldn't say he was surprised about the man's wealth, considering his clothes. Even his slaves were impeccably dressed. And he had bought Aedan so quickly and without a second thought. The house came as little surprise to the young man.
The impression he gave off of strictness was also rather clearly demonstrated in the way Cora relaxed when he wasn't around, in the way her confidence grew when the master wasn't constantly looking over her and watching her every move. He felt sympathy for her too, just as she felt sympathy for him.
And then she spoke to him in Celtic, something which Aedan took with visible relief, something of a spark returning to his face as he heard the language of his childhood once more.
"I guess," he responded, also in Celtic "It's as pleasure to meet you, Cora. I'm Aedan"
It truly was a pleasure to meet her. He knew he shouldn't get attached to people in his line of work, but he hadn't seen someone from home in years. It was so comforting and familiar to hear his own language spoken again.
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Bisexual
Kurai
I can't answer why... I'm a blackstar...★
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Post by Kurai on May 24, 2017 17:28:16 GMT -5
She glanced back over her shoulder at him, it was so nice to hear the language of home, the soft accent warmed her in a way the summer sun could not. It was clear he was not surprised by where he had been bought, not in the way she had been upon her arrival here. There were worse places to be she supposed, but she would rather live in poverty at home than in this luxurious villa as a slave.
"If only we had met under nicer circumstances." She said with a small forced smile. "But it is a pleasure to meet you nonetheless." She was delaying their arrival to the gladiators quarters somewhat, it was rare that she got time alone away from the scrutiny of others and it was freeing. "You were fighting here?" She asked softly, genuinely curious and enjoying speaking unrestrained for the first time in a very long time. Her russet red hair glimmered in the sunlight, the cobbles warm beneath her bare feet, her master had taken away her shoes in hopes it would deter her from running away, and if she did try she wouldn't get very far across the rough city streets.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 24, 2017 17:35:30 GMT -5
Aedan smiled a little sadly "I've been fighting in Rome as a gladiator for five years. I was taken as a prisoner of war back home when Roman soldiers found me unconscious on the battlefield. They stopped me from bleeding out and saved my life. And ever since they've made sure I remember that I owe my life to Rome, even more than most other gladiators."
Technically he did owe them his life. If not letting someone die because of a war you started could be considered saving their life. And if enslaving them could be seen as a reasonable means of repaying that debt. He considered neither of these things to be true, actually, even thought that didn't exactly matter. What mattered is that Rome considered Aedan to be indebted to it. And Romans took what they wanted
"What about you?" Aedan asked after a moment "How did you come to be here?"
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Bisexual
Kurai
I can't answer why... I'm a blackstar...★
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Post by Kurai on May 24, 2017 18:05:13 GMT -5
She inclined her head slightly as she listened to his tale. It was not uncommon, prisoners of war had been common although most now had died in arenas across Rome, or been worked to death by other means. She too was thinking along the similar lines, 'Romans took what they wanted.'
"Romans came to my village. They said if we paid them they would leave us in peace but of course we didn't have very much. Instead of gold they took horses, food and me." She shrugged her shoulders as though it was something she had come to terms with. In truth she almost had but it would have been easier if the soldiers had kept their word. After taking what they wanted from the villagers they took the women and killed anyone who tried to stop them. Perhaps she had been the lucky one. She shook those thoughts from her mind, it was many years ago, she had been just 13 years old. Now she was 17, considered a woman, She knew how to take care of herself.
They had turned into the repurposed stable yard, the sound of rowdy singing reaching their ears. The men here had at least found some enjoyment in their profession. Perhaps he would too, with the offer of wine and women when bringing home a victory. Or perhaps these Gladiators would exclude him because he was a Celt, a Barbarian.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 25, 2017 13:09:45 GMT -5
"Wow," Aedan had replied to the woman's story - it was the only word he could find for it - "I'm sorry. It seems the Romans are rather skilled at making false promises of peace."
Well, he said that, but he wasn't sure that Drustan's family hadn't been perfectly safe. But Aedan didn't believe for a second that the Roman soldiers had lived up to their promise. Especially since Drustan had failed to actually kill Aedan. So he felt that he was speaking from experience. Well, reaosnably so.
He, too, had heard the voices as they began to approach the stable yard. He was surprised by how happy they seemed. By how joyful and celebratory they sounded. How very strange. It hadn't crossed his mind for a second that not all gladiators were treated badly.
Aedan was covered in scars and clearly worked to his very limit. It was rather clear that he was someone who hadn't been allowed a second of rest or relaxation, unlike these people. Maybe, despite his original thoughts, life could be...good here? Maybe? He wasn't sure.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 26, 2017 10:44:11 GMT -5
Aedan had wanted to express his surprise and shock at the way Cora was being treated, as in their culture women were not really treated this way, but stopped himself when the gladiator looked him up and down disapprovingly. No way, he was not about to upset this huge gladiator, who already didn't seem to like him.
"Alright," Aedan had replied to Cora as he started to head inside "I hope to see you again soon."
It remained unspoken that he probably would see her quite soon, since the other gladiators apparently really enjoyed having her around. He wished he could help her but he didn't exactly know how to.
He followed Cassius inside the repurposed stableyard, which was exactly as raucous as it had sounded from the outside. And completely, totally different from what the young Celt was used to experiencing.
He was used to a cold, damp, dark room, where he was in chains. Yet here was warm, dry, well lit, and full of extremely happy and boisterous gladiators. He had really not been expecting that. These people all seemed well-fed and strong, unlike Aedan, who had clearly not been well cared for at all, a bit skinny and a bit malnourished.
So far he had not been given a warm welcome, but that might change. His first impressions might not be correct, after all.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 27, 2017 5:27:19 GMT -5
Aedan barely flickered at the other man's teasing. He was used to much worse than that.he would have to try harder to have any effect on Aedan.
Aedan watched as one of the gladiators stood up - a large, clearly Roman man - and approached him, looking him up and down.
"A Celt, is he?" asked the man, circling Aedan in a predatory way "Skinny thing, isn't he? He surely won't last a minute"
Aedan hadn't replied to this either, simply following the other man with his gaze as he circled around him. Aedan knew he could take down a brute like that in a minute if he could utilise his speed to its full potential.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 30, 2017 14:59:04 GMT -5
Aedan knew the other man knew that he understood what was being said, so he didn't reply to the first comment. But the second comment caused him to make a reply.
"I'm not here to make anyone proud" Aedan replied, calmly but sharply
"Oh, so he thinks he's tough, then" the gladiator laughed.
But he approached Aedan and stopped dead in front of him, grabbing Aedan's chin and forcing it up, grinning at the sight of the scar there.
"Ah, but what's this? That wound didn't come from the front, did it? You weren't facing your enemy when this happened. You're just a coward who's trying to play the game and failing miserably."
Aedan snatched his head away, turning slightly red with anger.
"It wasn't an enemy," Aedan muttered
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 30, 2017 15:44:34 GMT -5
Aedan had silently agreed with the other man's statement about everyone being an enemy. God knew Aedan knew about that better than anyone else.
So he took the flagon of wine and drank some himself, before passing it on to the other gladiators, who went on to finish the rest of the flagon between them. Maybe, with some time, he would earn some respect from these gladiators and they would realise he was stronger than he looked.
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 30, 2017 16:37:23 GMT -5
(I'm not sure, I'm having a think x You?)
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Post by ƤαƖƖαѕ ✧ on May 30, 2017 16:49:09 GMT -5
Well I have to go to bed so I'll sleep on it for the morning x
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