nice touch, especially the way the slavegirl's startled 'cos she's just spotted it too!
I also note the Dutch flag on the slave-schooner
-
Sign up or login, and you'll have full access to opportunities of forum.
I also note the Dutch flag on the slave-schooner
I like it because you discovered not only the mouse but also one of slave-trader Admihoek's vesselsnice touch, especially the way the slavegirl's startled 'cos she's just spotted it too!
I also note the Dutch flag on the slave-schooner
but it is not my storyThis story gets more and more engaging.
jonesygirl
Tribunica Potestas
THE TAMING OF THE SHREWS
Marcus Strictus
Polly nodded to Marcus Strictus as she headed toward the arena. She new him from many years ago when he was slimmer with jet black hair and quite a hit with the ladies. He was still teaching at the age of forty something and still unmarried. He was guiding Adolpha, a pretty young slave from Gaul to join Katrina whom he had bought earlier and chained to a rail to give her some air while he made his second and final purchase of the day. Neither girl had the tag Virgo but were young and fit and disease free and so were ideal for their new roles. Some folk said of Marcus that he was tight as a shark's arse with money, but he preferred to think of himself as prudent.
Summer would soon be over and the nights drawing in. His friends at the Minotaur’s Arms would often advise him to invest in one of the new heating systems that were now available instead of that old log fire he relied upon. Spend hard earned cash on underfloor heating!!..It'll never catch on he used to reply. It wasn't so much the log fire that Marcus relied on as a belly warmer and a bum warmer in the form of Adolpha and Katrina. He would part exchange his bed warmers every three years for newer models and that was the purpose of his visit today. Once he got them home he would make clear what their duties would be. It was his habit to take two slaves to bed. After a gruelling day attempting to teach the delights of Euclidean geometry to the brat pack that were the offspring of the local Senators he would often need a little encouragement to arouse his manhood from a state of near slumber. He would lie in bed while his slaves slowly stripped then played with each other using fingers, lips, tongues, until Marcus was becoming visibly aroused. One of the girls would then suck him until he had an erection that a cat couldn't scratch. It was then time for the second girl to mount her master while the first cuddled up to keep off any draughts. It was a heating system that suited Marcus well and kept him fit as a bonus.
Marcus Strictus
Polly nodded to Marcus Strictus as she headed toward the arena. She new him from many years ago when he was slimmer with jet black hair and quite a hit with the ladies. He was still teaching at the age of forty something and still unmarried. He was guiding Adolpha, a pretty young slave from Gaul to join Katrina whom he had bought earlier and chained to a rail to give her some air while he made his second and final purchase of the day. Neither girl had the tag Virgo but were young and fit and disease free and so were ideal for their new roles. Some folk said of Marcus that he was tight as a shark's arse with money, but he preferred to think of himself as prudent.
Summer would soon be over and the nights drawing in. His friends at the Minotaur’s Arms would often advise him to invest in one of the new heating systems that were now available instead of that old log fire he relied upon. Spend hard earned cash on underfloor heating!!..It'll never catch on he used to reply. It wasn't so much the log fire that Marcus relied on as a belly warmer and a bum warmer in the form of Adolpha and Katrina. He would part exchange his bed warmers every three years for newer models and that was the purpose of his visit today. Once he got them home he would make clear what their duties would be. It was his habit to take two slaves to bed. After a gruelling day attempting to teach the delights of Euclidean geometry to the brat pack that were the offspring of the local Senators he would often need a little encouragement to arouse his manhood from a state of near slumber. He would lie in bed while his slaves slowly stripped then played with each other using fingers, lips, tongues, until Marcus was becoming visibly aroused. One of the girls would then suck him until he had an erection that a cat couldn't scratch. It was then time for the second girl to mount her master while the first cuddled up to keep off any draughts. It was a heating system that suited Marcus well and kept him fit as a bonus.
The auctioneer began declaring the selling-points of this “fit and healthy, well-educated virgin of excellent pedigree”, the girl-for-sale stood glaring at the crowd with an expression likely to frighten off all but the most intrepid buyers. Gods of Hades, Uli was thinking, doesn’t she listen to any advice? Now Una had to clamber down into the ring, the ringmaster wascrackig his whip in readiness. “Can you dance?” he hissed, Una shrugged, “A bit, I suppose – not like that last kid…”
She raised her arms and tried to recall the sexiest moves she could remember. She’d been with Titania and other girls a few times to the local tavern – strictly out of bounds of course to the young ladies of Rodinia School, which made it all the better – and they’d observed the exotic dancers, back in the dorm they’d giggled at each others’ attempts to belly-dance.
But now it was serious, the auctioneer was calling for bids, Una did remember Uli’s advice, she started to gyrate, turning her hips, feeling her muscles move rather delciously in her lower body, crossing and recrossing her long thighs, stepping slowy and sensuously around the ring.
Bidding was slow to begin with, but as Una, encouraged by cuts of the long whip, began to loosen up, swaying and swinging her small but “not that bad” boobies, sesterces rose to denarii. Uli, watching attentively, had inspiration – with a quick word to Augusta and Bonus, she grabbed a scarlet silk shawl from a pile of good clothing no doubt purloined by the auctioneer from those stripped off the slaves, skipped across the platform and tossed it down to Una – the auctioneer was too busy taken bids to stop her.
Una took the hint, seized the veil and swung it around, then draped it casually over her bare body. The ringmaster aimed his lash at her bare legs. Her steps became more vigorous, more determined, as she teased the onlookers, flicking it open and hugging it back again, all the while swinging her hips, tossing her breasts, stamping her bare feet.
There were whistles from the men, shouts and eager offers, ten, twenty denarii were soon past. But soon most had dropped out, Una became aware that just two parties were left, competing to buy her. One was the evil old lecher with the stick, he was waving it vigorously to signal his wish to buy, a gaggle of youths around him were shamelessly rubbing their tunics, urging him on. And his competitor was Titania’s mother, her gold bangles clinked as she kept signalling her continuing bids.
Una had little leisure to reflect while she concentrated on her display, feeling more and more taken up into the exotic sensation of her own self-selling, but she felt an instinctive disgust at the sight of the greedy-eyed old gnome, and the idea of being Titania’s toy was considerably more appealing – especially if she’d share her toy with her brother…
Titania’s father, Bonus Maximus, was looking increasingly pleased with the way things were going too, whatever the outcome, he stood to gain. Augusta seemed very satisfied too at first, but was beginning to taken on a slightly worried frown.
Una’s dance was accelerating, as the ringmaster flicked his lash at her ever more vigorously, she was kicking high – and revealingly – skipping and leaping as she swung her scanty veil. Her price topped an aureus. There were pauses now between the bids, at each step the rival bidders took moments to consider. Titania’s mother especially was beginning to look hesitant, glancing awkwardly at her husband, he too was beginning to frown, shook his head, Titania was wheedling. Cautiously, her mother raised her hand. The old villain peered into his purse, ogled the swirling slavegirl, raised his stick. Titania’s mother shook her head.
“Going for the first time at one aureus, fifteen denarii to Flavius Crispus!” called the auctioneer. Una froze, looking aghast at the prospect facing her. She stood with her arms high, one leg raised, the shawl flowing free from her nakedness. Silence fell, broken only by the distant squeals of slavegirls being branded. “Going for the second time…” his hammer was raised.
“One aureus fifty!” a strong contralto voice sang out from the back of the crowd. There was a gasp, the auctioneer almost dropped his mallet. “Do I hear one-fifty?” “You do!” the woman’s voice returned. He looked at Crispus, the dirty old man eyed trembling Una once more, shrugged and shook his head. Titania and her mother looked astonished, though her father seemed more pleased with the way things were turning out. But Augusta was biting her lip, muttering.
“Going for the first time for one aureus fifty denarii to the lady at the back… going for the second time… ah, my apologies madam, I see you now, Isabella Insatiabilis, I believe?” “That’s me,” Una’s mystery buyer identified herself, she was thrusting her way forward through the crowd. “Slavegirl Una sold for one aureus fifty to Isabella Insatiabilis!”
The hammer fell, a tall, dark, powerfully-built woman tossed a purse up to the clerk, who emptied out the coins, checked them and nodded. The Nubian slave-guards grabbed Una, tearing away her veil and throwing it back on the spoil-heap, then they marched her off briskly towards the branding-ship, her new owner smiling gleefully alongside her.
She raised her arms and tried to recall the sexiest moves she could remember. She’d been with Titania and other girls a few times to the local tavern – strictly out of bounds of course to the young ladies of Rodinia School, which made it all the better – and they’d observed the exotic dancers, back in the dorm they’d giggled at each others’ attempts to belly-dance.
But now it was serious, the auctioneer was calling for bids, Una did remember Uli’s advice, she started to gyrate, turning her hips, feeling her muscles move rather delciously in her lower body, crossing and recrossing her long thighs, stepping slowy and sensuously around the ring.
Bidding was slow to begin with, but as Una, encouraged by cuts of the long whip, began to loosen up, swaying and swinging her small but “not that bad” boobies, sesterces rose to denarii. Uli, watching attentively, had inspiration – with a quick word to Augusta and Bonus, she grabbed a scarlet silk shawl from a pile of good clothing no doubt purloined by the auctioneer from those stripped off the slaves, skipped across the platform and tossed it down to Una – the auctioneer was too busy taken bids to stop her.
Una took the hint, seized the veil and swung it around, then draped it casually over her bare body. The ringmaster aimed his lash at her bare legs. Her steps became more vigorous, more determined, as she teased the onlookers, flicking it open and hugging it back again, all the while swinging her hips, tossing her breasts, stamping her bare feet.
There were whistles from the men, shouts and eager offers, ten, twenty denarii were soon past. But soon most had dropped out, Una became aware that just two parties were left, competing to buy her. One was the evil old lecher with the stick, he was waving it vigorously to signal his wish to buy, a gaggle of youths around him were shamelessly rubbing their tunics, urging him on. And his competitor was Titania’s mother, her gold bangles clinked as she kept signalling her continuing bids.
Una had little leisure to reflect while she concentrated on her display, feeling more and more taken up into the exotic sensation of her own self-selling, but she felt an instinctive disgust at the sight of the greedy-eyed old gnome, and the idea of being Titania’s toy was considerably more appealing – especially if she’d share her toy with her brother…
Titania’s father, Bonus Maximus, was looking increasingly pleased with the way things were going too, whatever the outcome, he stood to gain. Augusta seemed very satisfied too at first, but was beginning to taken on a slightly worried frown.
Una’s dance was accelerating, as the ringmaster flicked his lash at her ever more vigorously, she was kicking high – and revealingly – skipping and leaping as she swung her scanty veil. Her price topped an aureus. There were pauses now between the bids, at each step the rival bidders took moments to consider. Titania’s mother especially was beginning to look hesitant, glancing awkwardly at her husband, he too was beginning to frown, shook his head, Titania was wheedling. Cautiously, her mother raised her hand. The old villain peered into his purse, ogled the swirling slavegirl, raised his stick. Titania’s mother shook her head.
“Going for the first time at one aureus, fifteen denarii to Flavius Crispus!” called the auctioneer. Una froze, looking aghast at the prospect facing her. She stood with her arms high, one leg raised, the shawl flowing free from her nakedness. Silence fell, broken only by the distant squeals of slavegirls being branded. “Going for the second time…” his hammer was raised.
“One aureus fifty!” a strong contralto voice sang out from the back of the crowd. There was a gasp, the auctioneer almost dropped his mallet. “Do I hear one-fifty?” “You do!” the woman’s voice returned. He looked at Crispus, the dirty old man eyed trembling Una once more, shrugged and shook his head. Titania and her mother looked astonished, though her father seemed more pleased with the way things were turning out. But Augusta was biting her lip, muttering.
“Going for the first time for one aureus fifty denarii to the lady at the back… going for the second time… ah, my apologies madam, I see you now, Isabella Insatiabilis, I believe?” “That’s me,” Una’s mystery buyer identified herself, she was thrusting her way forward through the crowd. “Slavegirl Una sold for one aureus fifty to Isabella Insatiabilis!”
The hammer fell, a tall, dark, powerfully-built woman tossed a purse up to the clerk, who emptied out the coins, checked them and nodded. The Nubian slave-guards grabbed Una, tearing away her veil and throwing it back on the spoil-heap, then they marched her off briskly towards the branding-ship, her new owner smiling gleefully alongside her.
Last edited by a moderator:
Primus pilus
Magister Australis
Isabella Insatiabilis? Una might be a busy slavegirl and Pp really will need to sip his morning coffee carefully after his previous experiences reading Eul's work as he takes those first two morning shots.
jonesygirl
Tribunica Potestas
Flavius Crispus
A pic has just arrived of Flavius thinking that he had just bought another young maiden...only for his hopes to be dashed. A few words about Crispus………
Flavius not only had a love of young women but also food. He made a huge fortune early in his career when he acquired sole rights to the sale of “fast food” and beverages at all the main events at the Colosseum. His giraffe burgers were much in demand along with lighter snacks like pickled sea urchin and quick fried otter noses. He quickly amassed enough capital to open his first Nonna Betta restaurant just a few yards from the main entrance. Taking the family out for a meal at one of his establishments became a birthday treat and was within the reach of the working classes. Flavius always had a good business brain, sell it fast, sell it cheap and sell lots was his motto.
Although Isabella could easily afford to buy a restaurant she particularly liked the Ostrich Ragout which was one of Flavius's specialities. Polly has unearthed a couple of his original recipes which I reproduce here. Polly wishes to point out that if you are using a translator then please use a reliable one as apii semen is in fact celery seed. She would not want your dinner guests to be perturbed at what you may mistakenly add to the dish. For weight watchers she also includes the Crispus Salad.
Recipe for Ostrich Ragout
In struthione elixo: piper, mentam, cuminum assume, apii semen, dactylos vel caryotas, mel, acetum, passum, liquamen, et oleum modice et in caccabo facies ut bulliat. Amulo obligas, et sic partes struthionis in lance perfundis, ete desuper piper aspargis. Si autem in condituram coquere volueris, alicam addis.
For boiled ostrich: pepper, mint, roast cumin, celery seed, dates or Jericho dates, honey, vinegar, passum, garum, a little oil. Put these in the pot and bring to the boil. Bind with amulum, pour over the pieces of ostrich in a serving dish and sprinkle with pepper. If you wish to cook the ostrich in the sauce, add alica. (Apicius, 212)
Crispus Salad
Flavius's recipes suggest that Roman salads were a match for our own in richness and imagination:
Addito in mortarium satureiam, mentam, rutam, coriandrum, apium, porrum sectivum, aut si non erit viridem cepam, folia latucae, folia erucae, thymum viride, vel nepetam, tum etiam viride puleium, et caseum recentem et salsum: ea omnia partier conterito, acetique piperati exiguum, permisceto. Hanc mixturam cum in catillo composurris, oleum superfundito.
Put savory in the mortar with mint, rue, coriander, parsley, sliced leek, or, if it is not available, onion, lettuce and rocket leaves, green thyme, or catmint. Also pennyroyal and salted fresh cheese. This is all crushed together. Stir in a little peppered vinegar. Put this mixture on a plate and pour oil over it. (Crispus, Re Rustica, XII-lix)
A pic has just arrived of Flavius thinking that he had just bought another young maiden...only for his hopes to be dashed. A few words about Crispus………
Flavius not only had a love of young women but also food. He made a huge fortune early in his career when he acquired sole rights to the sale of “fast food” and beverages at all the main events at the Colosseum. His giraffe burgers were much in demand along with lighter snacks like pickled sea urchin and quick fried otter noses. He quickly amassed enough capital to open his first Nonna Betta restaurant just a few yards from the main entrance. Taking the family out for a meal at one of his establishments became a birthday treat and was within the reach of the working classes. Flavius always had a good business brain, sell it fast, sell it cheap and sell lots was his motto.
Although Isabella could easily afford to buy a restaurant she particularly liked the Ostrich Ragout which was one of Flavius's specialities. Polly has unearthed a couple of his original recipes which I reproduce here. Polly wishes to point out that if you are using a translator then please use a reliable one as apii semen is in fact celery seed. She would not want your dinner guests to be perturbed at what you may mistakenly add to the dish. For weight watchers she also includes the Crispus Salad.
Recipe for Ostrich Ragout
In struthione elixo: piper, mentam, cuminum assume, apii semen, dactylos vel caryotas, mel, acetum, passum, liquamen, et oleum modice et in caccabo facies ut bulliat. Amulo obligas, et sic partes struthionis in lance perfundis, ete desuper piper aspargis. Si autem in condituram coquere volueris, alicam addis.
For boiled ostrich: pepper, mint, roast cumin, celery seed, dates or Jericho dates, honey, vinegar, passum, garum, a little oil. Put these in the pot and bring to the boil. Bind with amulum, pour over the pieces of ostrich in a serving dish and sprinkle with pepper. If you wish to cook the ostrich in the sauce, add alica. (Apicius, 212)
Crispus Salad
Flavius's recipes suggest that Roman salads were a match for our own in richness and imagination:
Addito in mortarium satureiam, mentam, rutam, coriandrum, apium, porrum sectivum, aut si non erit viridem cepam, folia latucae, folia erucae, thymum viride, vel nepetam, tum etiam viride puleium, et caseum recentem et salsum: ea omnia partier conterito, acetique piperati exiguum, permisceto. Hanc mixturam cum in catillo composurris, oleum superfundito.
Put savory in the mortar with mint, rue, coriander, parsley, sliced leek, or, if it is not available, onion, lettuce and rocket leaves, green thyme, or catmint. Also pennyroyal and salted fresh cheese. This is all crushed together. Stir in a little peppered vinegar. Put this mixture on a plate and pour oil over it. (Crispus, Re Rustica, XII-lix)
Augusta was a bit put out, things weren’t turning out quite as she’d planned, selling your daughters into slavery wasn’t (however much secret envy it might provoke) quite the done thing in the douce crescents of upmarket Aurora-side – tongues will be wagging at the Arachne Sewing Circle! She thought she’d driven a hard bargain with Maximus, setting a sky-high reserve price of 1 aureus, she never imagined her gawky goats would attract bids half that much. When, to her dismay, the rivalry between Crispus and Madam Maximus swept past that line, she’d tried to pull Valentina out of the sale, but Bonus had just growled “A contract is a contract!”
Still, at least that disgusting old fart hadn’t got Val in his claws. And Augusta couldn’t help enjoying a smug moment when it turned out the much-vaunted wealth of that Maximus’s woman wasn’t quite so endless as she liked to make out… And 1.50 aurei aren’t to be sneezed at, at least Pompilius won’t have any excuse to put off upgrading the bath-house any more, it’s such an embarrassment when we have visitors…
And, thinking of bath-houses, if what they say about Isabella’s bath and the things that go on it are anything to go by, Valentina shouldn’t have too much to moan about either!
Anyway, it was Junia’s turn now. All through her sister’s performance, naked slavegirl Duo had been huddled at the corner of the platform, watching her elder sister stealing the plaudits and the limelight, and all the men – some women too – who couldn’t take their eyes off her.
Isn't that just bloody typical? she was thinking, “Duo!!..I'm always bloody Duo aren't I?” It seemed to have been that way forever. It wasn’t the indignity of being stark naked and having her nipples played with by a complete stranger – in her secret honesty with herself, she’d actually found that rather exciting – what Junia resented so was always being second. Second to be born, second-hand clothes, second to be served at the table..always in the shadow of her elder sister Going back as far as she could remember, at every occasion – even when it was meant to be Junia’s birthday party – she’d find some way to steal the show!!
Well at least now there was a level playing field. Both naked for sale in this fleapit. Things couldn't get any worse, could they? Was there a some God/Goddess who specialised in helping young virgins in desperate need? She couldn't think of one offhand...why didn't she pay more attention at school!
The auctioneer flicked his fingers, Duo jumped to her feet and stood - not quite proper slavegirl-style, she was still a bit awkward about opening her thighs, but at least she knew she mustn’t hide her female assets, excruciatingly modest though she felt they were. As the auctioneer rattled off his sales-pitch, she felt a few hundred eyes assessing, inspecting… this time, I shan’t be outshone, she told herself…
A kick from a Nubian guard meant it was time to skip down the ladder into the arena. “Do you dance?” hissed the ringmaster, she glanced at him with a cheeky glint, “Not exactly, Sir, but I do gymnastics – just watch!” And with that she threw herself into a double handspring.
The crowd gasped, they thought what they’d just witnessed better than anything the Senate candidates had managed to put on in the Colosseum – well, apart from the crucified virgins with the lions perhaps – but this made them whoop.
Around the ring leapt Duo with a front roll, a front flip, then a back tumbling pass, a roundup back handspring, back tuck, back layout, a rebound, a nice stick. The ringmaster cracked the long thong, Duo leapt nimbly over it, dived under, skipped to dodge it, spun a full turn. He was grinning, so was she – sometimes he managed to flick her bare skin with the whip-tip, that only pumped up her agility, leaping and jumping, ducking and weaving, spinning on her pointed toes, glancing up to woo the guys with her mischievous grins - if it wasn’t a dance, it was a spectacular!
The crowd were cheering and clapping, it was hard for the auctioneer to make himself heard, but bids were coming fast. Dirty old Crispus was in the running again, and the fact that he was bidding doggedly soon persuaded less well-heeled punters to decide this decide this classy slavegirl was beyond their budget.
But Titania’s mother was being distracted, her daughter was throwing a wobbly, “Why didn’t you buy her for me? You’re so mean!” she howled, stamping her sandalled foot, “You just don’t care! All the girls are going to tease me now… you do it to humiliate me…. you’ve never loved me… nobody loves me…” with that she turned on her heel and strode off, probably to throw herself into the Tiber. Her mother look up at her husband, he rolled his eyes and shrugged.
Without serious competition, Crispus soon dominated the bidding. Although Duo’s routine was proving a huge success with the crowd, the bidding stopped at eighty denarii. The auctioneer glanced at Maximus, he shook his head. “I’m sorry Sir,” the auctioneer addressed Crispus, “no sale, there’s a reserve price on this slave.”
Crispus looked furious, he muttered to his companions. Augusta instructed Maximus, “Don’t negotiate with that man. We’ll take her back – Melissa, you fetch her.”
Duo was on her knees, flushed, panting, streaming with sweat, conscious that proceedings had ground to a halt but quite bewildered. When the ringmaster snapped “Hup!”, she found Melissa waiting to usher her out of the ring. “W-what’s happened? What’s going on?” “Never mind, you haven’t been sold. Come along.” “B-but.. I wanted… I want to be a slave…”
(thanks to Melissa and Julie for the pics, lots of ideas, and some lines I've nicked)
Still, at least that disgusting old fart hadn’t got Val in his claws. And Augusta couldn’t help enjoying a smug moment when it turned out the much-vaunted wealth of that Maximus’s woman wasn’t quite so endless as she liked to make out… And 1.50 aurei aren’t to be sneezed at, at least Pompilius won’t have any excuse to put off upgrading the bath-house any more, it’s such an embarrassment when we have visitors…
And, thinking of bath-houses, if what they say about Isabella’s bath and the things that go on it are anything to go by, Valentina shouldn’t have too much to moan about either!
Anyway, it was Junia’s turn now. All through her sister’s performance, naked slavegirl Duo had been huddled at the corner of the platform, watching her elder sister stealing the plaudits and the limelight, and all the men – some women too – who couldn’t take their eyes off her.
Isn't that just bloody typical? she was thinking, “Duo!!..I'm always bloody Duo aren't I?” It seemed to have been that way forever. It wasn’t the indignity of being stark naked and having her nipples played with by a complete stranger – in her secret honesty with herself, she’d actually found that rather exciting – what Junia resented so was always being second. Second to be born, second-hand clothes, second to be served at the table..always in the shadow of her elder sister Going back as far as she could remember, at every occasion – even when it was meant to be Junia’s birthday party – she’d find some way to steal the show!!
Well at least now there was a level playing field. Both naked for sale in this fleapit. Things couldn't get any worse, could they? Was there a some God/Goddess who specialised in helping young virgins in desperate need? She couldn't think of one offhand...why didn't she pay more attention at school!
The auctioneer flicked his fingers, Duo jumped to her feet and stood - not quite proper slavegirl-style, she was still a bit awkward about opening her thighs, but at least she knew she mustn’t hide her female assets, excruciatingly modest though she felt they were. As the auctioneer rattled off his sales-pitch, she felt a few hundred eyes assessing, inspecting… this time, I shan’t be outshone, she told herself…
A kick from a Nubian guard meant it was time to skip down the ladder into the arena. “Do you dance?” hissed the ringmaster, she glanced at him with a cheeky glint, “Not exactly, Sir, but I do gymnastics – just watch!” And with that she threw herself into a double handspring.
The crowd gasped, they thought what they’d just witnessed better than anything the Senate candidates had managed to put on in the Colosseum – well, apart from the crucified virgins with the lions perhaps – but this made them whoop.
Around the ring leapt Duo with a front roll, a front flip, then a back tumbling pass, a roundup back handspring, back tuck, back layout, a rebound, a nice stick. The ringmaster cracked the long thong, Duo leapt nimbly over it, dived under, skipped to dodge it, spun a full turn. He was grinning, so was she – sometimes he managed to flick her bare skin with the whip-tip, that only pumped up her agility, leaping and jumping, ducking and weaving, spinning on her pointed toes, glancing up to woo the guys with her mischievous grins - if it wasn’t a dance, it was a spectacular!
The crowd were cheering and clapping, it was hard for the auctioneer to make himself heard, but bids were coming fast. Dirty old Crispus was in the running again, and the fact that he was bidding doggedly soon persuaded less well-heeled punters to decide this decide this classy slavegirl was beyond their budget.
But Titania’s mother was being distracted, her daughter was throwing a wobbly, “Why didn’t you buy her for me? You’re so mean!” she howled, stamping her sandalled foot, “You just don’t care! All the girls are going to tease me now… you do it to humiliate me…. you’ve never loved me… nobody loves me…” with that she turned on her heel and strode off, probably to throw herself into the Tiber. Her mother look up at her husband, he rolled his eyes and shrugged.
Without serious competition, Crispus soon dominated the bidding. Although Duo’s routine was proving a huge success with the crowd, the bidding stopped at eighty denarii. The auctioneer glanced at Maximus, he shook his head. “I’m sorry Sir,” the auctioneer addressed Crispus, “no sale, there’s a reserve price on this slave.”
Crispus looked furious, he muttered to his companions. Augusta instructed Maximus, “Don’t negotiate with that man. We’ll take her back – Melissa, you fetch her.”
Duo was on her knees, flushed, panting, streaming with sweat, conscious that proceedings had ground to a halt but quite bewildered. When the ringmaster snapped “Hup!”, she found Melissa waiting to usher her out of the ring. “W-what’s happened? What’s going on?” “Never mind, you haven’t been sold. Come along.” “B-but.. I wanted… I want to be a slave…”
(thanks to Melissa and Julie for the pics, lots of ideas, and some lines I've nicked
)
Last edited:
There's an ostrich farm not far from where I am - I haven't tried them yet, the recipe looks yummy.
I think Velut Luna has posted a recipe for garum (fish sauce), she certainly knows how to make it.
Alica is spelt, the ancient wheatflour you can get in trendy health-food shops.
Not sure about passum or amulum, I expect Luna would know, or others here?
I think Velut Luna has posted a recipe for garum (fish sauce), she certainly knows how to make it.
Alica is spelt, the ancient wheatflour you can get in trendy health-food shops.
Not sure about passum or amulum, I expect Luna would know, or others here?
very empathizing
I've found them. Amulum is an early Latin word for meal, i.e. coarse flour, probably in the recipe it's the same as alica, ground spelt, stirred in to thicken the sauce. Passum is a sweet raisin wine used to sweeten cooked dishes - the Romans evidently liked their meat dishes sweetened, they didn't separate sweet and savoury in the way we (at least in the West) generally do.
Passum... -Eul
I think she meant Possum... a rodent a bit bigger than a rat... I don't know why she brought it up but a shot a possum and basted it that wine Eul suggested and it still tasted like crap!!!
Tree
...what, Ulrika? No, I didn't skin it... She didn't say to in her recipe!!!
I think she meant Possum... a rodent a bit bigger than a rat... I don't know why she brought it up but a shot a possum and basted it that wine Eul suggested and it still tasted like crap!!!
Tree
...what, Ulrika? No, I didn't skin it... She didn't say to in her recipe!!!