Standard Disclaimer applies anything you don't recognize is most likely mine.
A/N: Hello, hello. Hope everyone had a beautiful winter holiday. Sorry it's been a while, I really don't plan these things like I probably should. So please don't forget to review and enjoy!
Tavi felt every eye below burning through her gown to the secrets of her tanned olive flesh, in an attempt at subtly she shifted slightly behind Octavius' bulk whilst Quintus addressed his slave below. Unfortunately, the movement drew Lucretia's attention and the woman looped her harm through the girl's and tugged her forward. Behind the gracious smile, Tavi cursed her "aunt" many times over for bringing her into view.
From her vantage point, Tavi noticed several of the hulking, sweating, diaper men nudging one another and making quiet comments to each other. But they were not the only ones; the guardsmen of her "uncle" did as well not-so-inconspicuously. She did her best to hide the shudder of disgust as she watched Quintus and Octavius discuss the one called "Spartacus". If she actually cared, Tavi would've found his form mouth-wateringly pleasing; not that she did. With a snobbish tilt of her head she turned her attention to the prattle Lucretia spouted; soon Tavi had images of gelato tubs and super-sized slurpees dancing across her glazed over eyes."
"Niece, what are your thoughts?" Lucretia's gaze bored into Tavi with irritating observance. Shit! She noticed I wasn't listening, Tavi thought frantically.
"Apologies, Aunt. I was…" She scrambled for the word in her head, "dreaming." Mentally she winced at the dim-witted response. "What did you say?"
"It is of no importance, dear. Your lessons shall begin soon." Lucretia signaled to a slave girl with caramel skin and long ebony hair. "Help find something for her to use, Naevia." The slave bent respectfully and followed Tavi to her rooms.
Lucretia's eyes followed the girl until she was through to her room, suspicions dwell in her mind about her dear niece. She could not understand why the girl was so odd and why did she always seem to fall under Morpheus' spell when Lucretia would talk to her. Perhaps the girl is simply ill-mannered; she was raised under the tutelage of her father for the last seven years without a nursemaid around.
Octavia's instruction lacked that of a woman's touch, while Lucretia had other things to attend to, Octavius was paying for her instruction within the villa and by the gods Lucretia would attend to the girl. The lady of the house thrust her cup out for the slave to fill it as a plan to educate the girl formed in her mind. Perhaps, her niece's innocence could be used to her advantage…
Naevia helped Tavi into an outfit a step up in quality from the slaves' clothes. It was a pale green sleeveless gown with a plunging neckline; the skirt had many folds and slits up the sides to the knees. Tavi picked at the dress and sighed, At least it covers all the important parts and I can still move, she thought wearily. Waving away Naevia's hand, Tavi piled her thick raven locks into a serviceable bun with hair ornaments that doubled as stilettos; another gift from her tutor. Shaking her head wildly, she made sure her hair did not come out of place in the bronze mirror her 'father' bought her, before catching the odd look the slave girl threw her. It would be best if Tavi became friends with the slave closest to her 'family' if she were to get along for however long she was stuck here.
"Say your mind Naevia." Tavi stated imperiously as she turned to the girl only to have Naevia stutter and bow her head expecting some kind of punishment. "Cease Naevia, I do not mean to chastise, but I saw the question in your eyes. I would know what it is."
Naevia bit her lip before speaking with hesitant hushed tones, "Apologies, my lady, you…that is…your father grants you permission to learn—"
"Do you question why my father allows me to learn weapons training, Naevia?" Tavi interrupted with a small smile upon her lips. The slave girl nodded. "Ease your thoughts; I will not punish you for the need of knowing. When I was a young girl and father took me with him on his travels, we were attacked on the road. Many of our servants, slaves and guards were killed; I was almost taken away as well. But another merchant with travelers from the East saved us and told father that I should at least learn to wield a small blade in case I ever was taken. My tutors found me to be talented and father could not deny me my lessons. But I took to them whole heartedly and now I must learn to balance becoming a lady and learning the blade." Naevia seemed to digest Tavi's words before she continued. "Speaking of such things, my new tutor has waited long enough. Lead on Naevia."
Tavi swept into the villa's courtyard, Naevia leading the way eyes downcast, as Octavius greeted his child with enthusiasm. A large black man stood erect next to a column while Lucretia lounged and Quintus munched on fruit. The rest of the guards were stationed at their positions, but looked on with bored detachment.
"Lamb, this is Doctore. He trains your uncle's gladiators and now he will continue to train you as well." Octavius led her to stand in front of the huge man and Tavi was briefly reminded of a black bear for the way he towered over her and the disdain in his dark eyes. Well, he's just a regular teddy bear isn't he? Tavi thought herself when Doctore handed her a wooden sword, she took it with two delicate fingers and fought the giggle bubbling up when Doctore rolled his eyes as if praying for divine intervention.
Following the man into the center of the courtyard, Tavi adopted her most clueless expression, bit her lip and twirled a loose lock around her finger with the wood sword dangling from her free hand. Tavi held back the laugh that threatened her image when her new trainer's eyes widened in annoyed shock. All of her urges to be impudent were threatening to spill over and she desperately tried to hold them back.
"Now, lamb, jest not. Doctore has to oversee the training of the gladiators." Octavius stated mock seriously, because he knew very well that Doctore would have to train Tavi regardless of the slave's other duties.
"Shall we begin, my lady?" Doctore grit between clenched teeth as Tavi briefly nodded her head in assent. She had a feeling this would be a lesson on holding the sword properly and what end not to stick yourself with. Truthfully, the tutors she had here started her with live weapons and the masters she learned from in her time had the decency to not treat her like a child (even though she had been learning Wushu since she was 5 years old).
"Of course, Doctore." Tavi gave a formal smile and help the sword more firmly. "Should you not have your guard up?" He shot her a condescending look that spoke volumes of her inability and Tavi looked at her 'father' as though to ask his permission to use her full ability only to be shot down with a slow blink.
"For now, my lady, we shall start at the very beginning." Doctore stated, he hefted the wood sword and pointed, "This is a sword, the edges are sharp…" the purse of Tavi's lips were the only warning for surprise of her attack.
So whatcha think? I tried to move it along, but I quite possibly need to watch the show again to make sure I've got the storyline going with it right. Please send me reviews, I appreciate the story alerts but I like reviews more because they help me know what I should be looking into! Thanks!