GranoxFirewind

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

As they pulled apart, Marken seemed to be much more awake now, a very pleased expression on his face. He even chuckled a bit as he remembered one thing in particular. "I didn't think you'd make a sound like that. Maybe I should do that again..." He chuckled again, very seriously considering doing just that, though he never pulled his body away from her, feeling even closer to her, the first time they had cuddled like this in their night clothes.

"I suppose that will be good. Maybe we'll even meet her at breakfast. I could let you two speak and get acquainted, while I see about getting something made." He pulled her closer to him again, pushing their lips together for another long moment, Marken letting out his own soft groan at the lovely feeling, before slowly pulling back. He hugged her tightly, his lips just brushing past her ears.

"Not sure how often we'll be able to do this, until we're married anyway, so I intend to enjoy every close moment like this to its fullest, understand? Also, if you want to share my bed, next time, just wait until she's gone, I'd rather not toss and turn without you for the entire night." His voice was very soft, as he pulled back from Ella, his arms uncurling from around her form to allow her to leave his bed, turning around himself to climb out. He needed to change into something more appropriate for the public.

Without thinking of the person in the room, he went through an action that he practiced so often before, reaching up to pull his nightshirt off with a single smooth movement, leaving his entire upper body bare to Ella. He couldn't be described as muscular, but he wasn't out of shape either, instead just maintaining a healthy body for a nineteen year old. He looked over to Ella, as if remembering her presence, and said nothing, though he didn't look embarrassed either. Marken was comfortable with his body, considering how close he and Ella had been, it wasn't as if this was a massive gap to cross for the couple.

When in Rome (GranoxFirewind & Kate)

Her words were very strange to a man who had been taught for years of his life that he was a slave, that he was to be nothing more than that. He would never be given the right to buy his freedom, the emperor would never take notice of him and give him his freedom. No, he would fight until death came for him, and there was simply nothing that Verus could do against it. Even if he tried to escape, fight his way out, it would destroy any honor he had left.

Gladiators were taught that a loss was to be accepted humbly, and that if death came for you, you were to accept it. As it stood, Verus had only killed one gladiator in the field. He was unpopular, ending fights with dirty tricks that the audience didn't enjoy. When his blade came around to try and cripple Verus, permanently, he had instead dashed around it, slamming the butt of his own blade into the mans head. The concussion he had almost certainly received would've made him incapable of fighting for weeks, but instead, the audience called for his blood.

So Verus had acted, plunging his blade into his throat, staring down with emotionless eyes as he gurgled his last. 'You're here until you die.' The cheers of the crowd consoled the man on what he had believed to be murder, but soon he was taught that it was simply his job. He was congratulated on one of the best fights the people had seen in some time, and had even been given wine and meat with his next meals. The luxury of victory, to promote more.

"Perhaps not then, but your people would still have us believe otherwise. What makes you so different, to hate the spectacle of the fight then?" He stood up, a small smile on his face. "The allure of the... glory." He took a step towards her, though nothing overly threatening in his stride. The large man would seem intimidating, though, his form easily larger than Claudia's in every way. Another step was taken, his smile slowly widening. "The taste of wealth, the tang of blood in the air? Surely it must be captivating to watch, after all, I've already had so much money poured into me as it is..."

His voice ended with a small chuckle, clearly mocking his own existence at this point. The girls morals were strange, but not unwelcome. If she would treat him like a man instead of a beast, like someone who deserved more than he'd been given, than so be it. He would have no qualms with such a kindness in his life. He stood to the side as she ordered a guard to retrieve them a meal, his smile diminishing but never fully disappearing.

Her next question took the gladiator by surprise, but he was prepared for it. "Yesterday. I'm too much of an investment not to feed, though I can't say the meals were quality. Old bread, and beans. Water too, but even that was stagnant and dirty. Can't be given what a normal man would be, afterall. I'm much lower than them, not even worthy of their luxuries. Not unless I make them happy, fight for them, make someone else disappoint them." Again, a complete mockery and insult to what he was, though his tone clearly didn't take itself seriously. "Still, I certainly look forward to wine and food fit for nobility."

Strange how his tone could shift from mockery to eagerness. Verus was certainly a strange man, one who looked forward to ups in his life. He was hoping that he would make his life a little easier, if for some reason this entire thing was a ploy to make him fight better, by attaining victory at the fighting tomorrow. If nothing else, it would prove his strength to both Claudia and her father. Prove that he was worth the price that had been paid for him.

When in Rome (GranoxFirewind & Kate)

And now you're first in line for a post! Had to get a couple others updated first, so let's get started on this one. Yeah, I've had that happen a few times. My favorite was a Necromancer I had for a roleplay that revolved around the dead being risen. He actually joined the fight against them because he intended to steal the knowledge of the guy responsible. He's really evolved from then, and is one of my favorite guys to ever consider a character. Never found a plot I could bring him into here, sadly.

Glass Shoes [GranoxFirewind/LalaKitty]

Marken had been sound asleep when the governess had come in again, his arm curled up around Ella with an almost invisible smile on his lips. He was startled awake by the sudden pressure in his chest, looking over to Ella and letting out a small smile. He noticed his governess walking off in a huff, and let out his own chuckle. He laughed fully at her own words though, imagining a group of women in robes slinging holy water. It was quite the amusing thought.

Her lips on his cheek brought him a much softer smile, and Marken tilted his head, wrapping his fingers behind her head and in her hair. "Come on now, surely you can do better for a morning kiss?" His voice held very obvious amusement, with a badly hidden smile. He'd gently pull on her head, clearly giving her the option to deny him if she wanted.

If she didn't, Marken would lean in as well, pressing his lips to hers for the first time in the morning. He held her there for a long minute, savoring the feel of her lips against his, his other arm still snaked around behind her. The feeling was quite exquisite, he believed, his lips parting again like before, wanting to explore her mouth. Still, the option was still always there for her to back out if she so wanted, Marken had no intentions of forcing anything upon anyone.

When in Rome (GranoxFirewind & Kate)

Maybe not, but I really like posting with Verus. He's got an interesting personality to develop.

When in Rome (GranoxFirewind & Kate)

Really liked the post. I'll get something put up tonight hopefully. I'm actually pretty caught up on my RPs. Day was pretty usual and boring.

When in Rome (GranoxFirewind & Kate)

Alright, sounds good. Don't force yourself to post on my behalf.

When in Rome (GranoxFirewind & Kate)

You will, if I get to fight legit slaves. Gladiator vs Slaves, the blood and gore was the attraction. Gladiator vs Gladiator, the fight itself was the attraction. Besides, we could do some changes, it's not like we're forced to be 100% accurate.

When in Rome (GranoxFirewind & Kate)

Movies were false. They fought until one forced the other to surrender, and the fight itself was enough for the peasants. Usually it was them who decided whether or not he lived, and generally they let him live. IF they hated him, then it went up to the emperor or whoever else decided it, whether he died. Just because you didn't die doesn't mean you can't lose. If I throw the guy to the ground and point a sword at his neck and he can't fight back, I've won.

When in Rome (GranoxFirewind & Kate)

Actually, that'd be historically inaccurate, to kill a gladiator. Untrained slaves were slaughtered by the masses. Gladiators though? Too much time and money goes into their training to have them killed. It was a VERY rare occurrence. I'd like you have you control the NPC warriors though, fighting myself isn't really... Fun, you know?