Any Which Way [Achilla]

[Spurius Tullius Pyramus]

Spring of 57 AD

Pyramus hadn't been able to go see the gladiatorial games that had been held today himself, which he'd understandably been put out by, but such was the life of a slave in Rome and he had little say in the matter. If his master wanted to conduct a meeting with some business partners about the rising price of grain in the north of Italia, then he did just that and Pyramus had to sit there and diligently record their conversation and what they decided (they hadn't actually decided upon anything). It was mind-numbing work that was made even worse by the fact that Pyramus knew that he could be watching the games and possibly be making a tidy sum off the whole thing. Rumour had it too that there would gladiatryxes involved as well.

In any case, just because he hadn't been able to go to the games, didn't mean that he couldn't go out and join the post-games celebration in the taverns with everyone else! Somehow, shortly after he'd arrived, he ended up getting caught in a very in depth conversation about cows with a man missing an eye. Admittedly, Pyramus knew very little about cows, however as a rule, he never let his lack of knowledge hold him back on any subject, and tonight was no exception. He happily prattled on with the man who had bought him a couple rounds in the din of the crowded tavern. But, there was only so much mead that would make talking about cows a pleasant way to wile away an evening of revelry.

He carefully extricated himself from the conversation when the opportunity presented itself, which in this case was the timely arrival of someone who was drunkenly disagreeing with various parts of their discussion on cows. Deciding that the one-eyed man could handle himself well enough against this new threat, Pyramus slipped away - cup in hand, of course.

He didn't make an entirely smooth getaway, however, as he ended up slipping on something he dared not investigate further and promptly sloshed nearly all the contents of his cup all down the back of the person in front of him, which left him wondering if his night of revelry was already over before it had even begun.

"I am so, SO sorry," He said, already preparing himself to duck and run from an outraged patron.

[Achillia]

Achillia's blood sang after the end of the gladiatorial games. The cheering of the audience never seemed to get old and the excitement always seemed to crash over her in waves of exultation.

The gladiators and gladiatrices all gathered together at a particular tavern to bless it with coin and to promote patrons with them all being there. Her and Amazonia had laughed at the sights that were presented as they arrived along with the rest of the gladiatrices.

Keen eyes looked about the tavern and took a seat down calling for wine and plenty of it. Just as she was sitting down, one of the tavern patrons had spilt all of the contents of his drink onto Amazonia. He started apologise and looked as if he was about to run off. "Seems like you have a fan, Nia. We should definitely not allow that to go to waste, hmm?" She said sweetly. The other woman looked as if she was about to knock the blond man over and stomp on him for his troubles, but soon enough the woman went close to where Achillia sat and she in turn licked the dripping wine off of the girl's chin and down her neck.

A small teasing smile appeared wondering if the reveler had decided to watch or run. Her eyes were upon him as she cleaned her friend off like a cat.

[Spurius Tullius Pyramus]

Somehow in his shock at having been pushed and sloshing the contents of his cup all over someone else, he hadn't properly noticed who it was he had spilt the drink on. He had assumed that it was another man, since the person was quite a few inches taller than he was. He was quite suprised then to find that it was actually a very tall and solidly built woman who had gotten his drink all over herself.

Pyramus' first thought on being privy to this new information was that he must actually be very fortunate in his selection of who to spill his drink on. However, his secondary thoughts included the observations that she looked angry enough to punch him in the face and she looked like she had the strength to back up her threat of violence. Then, of course, he'd have the shame of having been beaten up by a woman, since (though he hated to admit it) she did look like she could take him.

It was only natural then that when he saw a way out of his present situation he grasped onto it like a dying man. "Yes!" He declared. "I am a very big fan of yours! Which is why I'm so mortified at having spilled my drink on you," He said, hoping that she'd buy the bullshit that he was selling. He had no idea what she did that he was supposed to be a fan of, but for tonight he'd be a diehard fan if it meant not having his nose broken.

His mind went off in quite a different direction though when her friend who had offered him the way out in the first place, proceeded to help her friend 'clean up.' Well, wasn't that kind of her.

As Pyramus was always a man who jumped onto opportunity like a dog chasing a stick, he simply couldn't let this one just slide by him. "Waste not, want not, is a very good saying to live by, I think," He said, chancing a little smile.

[Achillia]

Amazonia practically growled and if looks could kill, Pyramus would have probably died several times over. Bright hazel eyes studied the one that had spilt his drink on the formidable woman and it was quite obvious that he was a bit worried that a fight would break out even if it was an accident.

Even though a man might have his pride, one had to think twice before deciding to engage in battle with a gladiatryx. Despite being a female, a trained killer was rather dangerous especially one that had felt insulted. Achillia had no desire for their celebration to be turned into a brawl before they were all forced back to the ludus, their victory being cut short. Plus the man was rather adorable in his cluelessness, even more amusing when he tried to expound upon her comment about having a fan to smooth over Amazonia's ruffles.

The other woman probably would not have allowed such a line to be fed to her, but Achillia was already distracting Amazonia by licking up the wine that had been spilt on her. The other woman enjoyed the company of only women and had her eyes on Achillia. She had often been the quieter one of the two and considered Amazonia her best friend. The dark-haired woman enjoyed the company of both men and women not knowing why it was necessary to like both sexes.

Amazonia growled and Achillia chuckled at Pyramus' answer. "Nia, forgive and forget. This is a party and I do not want to go back to the ludus too soon." She said softly before tugging on the woman's ear playfully.

A soft sigh and a bit of frustration could be heard from the other gladiatryx and nodded, "Fine...fine. I am going to get cleaned up." Then she kissed her fully on Achillia's lips before leaving the table to find something to clean herself and clothes.

"You are a funny man." Bright hazel eyes met Pyramus' gaze when Amazonia excused herself. "She would have pounded your head against the wall. I believe you are now indebted to me." She teased good-naturedly as she placed her chin on her hands while her elbows were placed upon the table. "Have a seat...if you dare." A soft chuckle escaped giving way to another jest. "The name is Achillia, what is yours?" It made her wonder if he was a fan of the gladiators that had gathered here this evening.

[Spurius Tullius Pyramus]

Well, it seemed like today might very well have been Pyramus' lucky day and he wouldn't be having his nose broken by a giant woman just yet since 'Nia,' was leaving for a bit to clean up what the other woman's tongue hadn't managed to. He was very relieved indeed and also quite interested in the dropped information he had picked up. The other woman mentioned going back to the ludus and suddenly a lot of things started to make sense. Ludii were predominantly inhabited by gladiators. These woman were both quite tall and well-built and their had been a game this evening involving a gladiatryx or two. Could these be them? It seemed like the logical conclusion to come by.

Not quite believing his luck to come away unscathed as the two women made an intimate display of parting, leaving Pyramus alone with the other woman who didn't still look like she wanted do unspeakable things to his face.

"Thank you! I do try my best, though it's often a dangerous gamble as to whether people necessarily appreciate my talents" He said brightly his gaze sliding to Nia's retreating back. "I don't think she appreciated it as much as you did though," He added.

"And I definitely believe she could have rearranged my face very skillfully, if you hadn't stepped in on my behalf. But, I can think of worse fates than being in your debt," He said with a sly smile as he slid into the seat that the woman, Achilla had dared him to sit in. He would take that dare any day, thank you very much. It was a pity that he had spilt most of his drink on to her friend, but perhaps it had all been for a reason now. Maybe it was the doing of Fortuna herself that had caused him to trip so that he might now be sitting across from a gladiatryx. The name confirmed his suspicions now.

"Just Pyramus," He replied. "So, what do I owe you for saving my pretty face from the wrath of an angry gladiatryx?" He said with a smile that said he was only too happy to be in Achilla's debt.

[Achillia]

Achillia's eyes followed Amazonia's departure with amusement, and then looked at Pyramus with amusement. "She often gets a bit hot-headed and does not even realise she does it until it is too late." Her eyes danced with mirth as well.

"Well, she would have turned you into a puddle on the floor especially with all of the energy after the Arena. Maybe it is often a very good idea who you throw your drink at." She made it sound like he did it on purpose, but her tone was playful and teasing knowing that it was just that an accident.

"Do not dwell on it any further. She will get over it especially if you buy her a drink." Letting him in on the secret to tug at Nia's good side.

A nod was given for the name that was offered, and full bellied laughter at his mention of having a pretty face rearranged. Her eyes danced merrily as she took a drink and licked her lips in contemplation. "I shall hold onto it for the time being, but for now I feel friendly enough to get to know someone new. What do you do, Pyramus and what brings you to this particular tavern this evening?"

[Spurius Tullius Pyramus]

[OOC: Sorry this reply is so late!]

"Well," He replied with the same smile still plastered on his face. "I can't really blame her for being angry with some fool who managed to spill half his drink on her." He was being semi-serious about that. He didn't necessarily believe himself to be a fool, but a little self-depricating humour often went a long way he had found.

"My thanks again, for restraining your friend from turning me into a human puddle on the floor. If I'd returned to my master in that state, well, he might some choice words for me about what I get up to when he's not watching over me. I'll make sure that I buy her that drink," He replied, ensuring that she really did know how grateful he was, and to show that he was a man with a good sense of humour. Women liked that, after all, didn't they?

He smiled again. "Ooooh, holding on to it, are we? I do love to be in suspense." Usually for favours and such he didn't like to be in suspense. He hated to be the one doing the owing when it came to favours. It made him slightly anxious to not know when someone would call in the favour and what its nature might be. This he felt, however, was a more light-hearted favour, which he might not mind so much.

"I hate to disappoint you, but my reasons for being here are rather boring and ordinary, I'm afraid. The simple explanation is that I happen to have some time, some money, and of course, I wanted to take part in the revelries of the post-Games revelries. I take it your performance was awe-inspiring?" He said.

[Achillia]

The humour was not entirely lost on Achillia as she chuckled. "Well, I think she will eventually know that it was an accident and not something you had decided to do to get her out of her clothes." She teased back as her eyes brightened with mirth.

He was a slave, much like her, but with a lot more leniency. It must be nice, but why dwell on such things when she was rather happy with her current status. Where could anyone go to be exalted with cheers, applause and that exhiliration of coming out the victor.

She grinned as he mentioned holding the favour and loving suspense. Achillia was feeling quite playful due to her victories and the overall euphoria that nothing would really spoil her evening. If the wine had spilt over her, she would have probably laughed and hugged someone to get them wet with wine as well soon having others throwing wine at each other. Of course, that could soon become quite an interesting display of carnal desires so perhaps it was a good thing that the wine was spilt on Nia instead which would have incited a riot instead of an orgy. Depends on who you talk to though.

Achillia laughed and nodded, "I think so. Have you ever seen the Games?" She questioned curious to know how much he knew of what she and the other men and women had just survived on skill, wit and body.

[Spurius Tullius Pyramus]

"Oh good!" He said. "And if that had been the case, I would say that it was just a pleasant side-effect of my little accident," He said cheekily, referring of course, to Achilla's friend having to remove her clothes on account of his little mishap. Not that something like that wouldn't be beyond Pyramus, but this time it was completely accidental! And besides, he probably would have chosen a different target for that sort of activity and not a giant woman woman who looked like she could chew him up and spit him out and feel none the worse about it.

"A few times, yes, when time allows, which as you can imagine can be a difficult thing. When I have been though, I do enjoy placing a bet or two, and of course watching the incredible skills of the gladiators on display," He said. Was he trying to flatter her a bit? Well, of course he was! A little well-placed flattery, he had learned, never hurt at all.

"I must say though that I was quite put out not to be able to attend today's games," He said with real regret in his voice. "I mean, I'd heard that there would be a gladiatryx or two and well, it's something that I've never actually seen for myself," He said.

"So, how exactly does one go about becoming a gladiatryx?" He asked suddenly, even though he was rather sure that he already knew the answer and that it wasn't exactly an always voluntary affair.

[Achillia]

Achillia only laughed at Pyramus' cheeky comment knowing her friend probably would not have minded if it was a cute girl that had been spilling the wine. She felt that the man could hold his own in humour finding him a fine drinking companion.

She rested her arm on the edge of the table, and braced her chin with the other hand as she listened to her unexpected guest talking about having seen gladiators. The smile that was already present never left her face, but brightened with a chuckle at his flattery. "It seems to be getting a lot more popular and I suppose it is a good thing to have such support. It is my hope to get as good as Aphrodite and be able to buy my own freedom from such victories." The opportunity of buying one's freedom, Achillia imagined was every slaves dream, but still there was glory with each victory and the talk of them. The fame and popularity was like a heady wine.

"There is always next time." She reassured him that the gladiatrices are around and were to be put in more often to combat each other.

Bright eyes met Pyramus' gaze and she was not as choked up about how she had come to the ludus. "Most are captured I would imagine, but some do volunteer with training. I was captured when my father was off to war, and my mother and sister hid. They wanted me to be the distraction." It almost seemed like they were sacrificing the middle child to be a whore so they could have a chance to be overlooked and survive.

"So I fought off several of the men before my capture, and was placed in the Imperial Ludus." A cheshire grin appeared at the mention of having fought several at her age, but she did not want to go down without a fight.

"What is your own story? Were you born into slavery, or captured and made one?" Always curious of another's history.