I DO NOT OWN SPARTACUS: GODS OF THE ARENA. THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS MENTIONS OF RAPE. READER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
House of Batiatus. Capua, Roman republic.
As Atalanta was escorted into the villa owned by the Batiatuses, she was instantly made aware of its luxury. Their villa was one that was 3 stories tall and it had an amazing view overlooking the cliffs and ground below the city of Capua. The outside of the villa paled in comparison to the inside of it. The Greco-Roman decor on the walls and floors looked so authentic; mainly because it was.
Atalanta could not appreciate the historical beauty that surrounded her as her thought were utterly consumed by the man who had repeated raped her and then sold her as if she was nothing more than a 2 dollar whore. Eventually, good Solonius took his leave; but not before stealing a long glance at his friend's newest slave. Atalanta was then taken to Camila: the head female slave or Vilica. Camila was an older looking woman who didn't seem to have much patience about her.
"By the gods, this girl is filthy!" Camila exclaimed as she snapped her fingers and 2 other slaves came into the room. "Naevia, Diona, see her to the baths at once!"
The slave named Naevia was of average height, slim build and dark complexion. She had long, dark brown hair that when combined with the rest of her body, made her look simply angelic. The slave named Diona was a very beautiful young girl with green eyes and light skin. The girls nodded and promptly took Atalanta to the bathing room as they had been ordered. The tub was filled before the girls lowered Atalanta into it.
"By what name are you known?" Diona asked as she began to clean the dirt off of the sulking blonde.
"It doesn't matter, I've been branded with a new one." Atalanta answered as the monotone voice she offered was nothing short of off putting.
"We merely wished to know more about you; apologies if we have given offense." Naevia said as she set about getting the gunk out of Atalanta's hair.
"I'm broken and I've never gonna see my family or my home ever again; that about sums me up." She replied wistfully as Naevia and Diona were filled with both heart break and awkwardness at their 1st exchange with their new sister slave. The remainder of Atalanta's bath was conducted in silence as she was cleaned, dried off, and provided a nice looking white Greco-Roman style dress.
"A sign of your virginity." Naevia said with a sad smile as she left Atalanta to change into it. As Atalanta managed to slip into the dress provided for her, a beautiful woman with long black hair, olive skin, and large, distinct hazel colored eyes walked into the bathing chamber.
"I am Melitta, the Ancilla for your new Domina. Domina says your name is Atalanta?" The woman said as she walked over and took Atalanta's hands in hers.
"You're her body slave." Atalanta remarked, remembering the different ranking of house slaves within Ancient Rome.
"I am and you are now her slave as well; along with Naevia and Diona." Melitta replied, matter of factly. "They told me that you seemed to be consumed down by troubled thoughts. I came to offer an ear if you wish to absolve weighted heart." Atalanta knew that she couldn't confide in Melitta about being from the future, but the look on the body slave's face told her that she was not getting off the hook without a disclosure of some kind.
"A few days ago I was free. I lived with my uncle, in my home...now I'm a slave and I've endured the worst kind of violation from the man who sold me to your Domina!" Atalanta exclaimed as she plopped to the ground as the memories of being kidnapped by the men outside of Capua and then being anally raped by the slaver were nothing short of traumatic.
"I can not imagine the pain you must feel, it is a horrible thing to lose one's dignity." Melitta said as she knelt next to Atalanta and wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I feel so ashamed..." Atalanta whispered in pain as Melitta tilted her chin so their eyes met.
"The shame is not yours, but belongs to the beast who forced himself upon you." Melitta insisted as she pulled Atalanta to her feet. "Their is no shame for actions committed when one is striped of choice."
"Is this my life Melitta, to just be a slave at someone else's beck and call?" Atalanta asked in fear as she didn't know how in the Hell she was going to survive being a slave.
"Such is the life we all must live, but it need not be constant misery. I have found my own love and happiness despite being the property of Domina and you can too." Melitta assured Atalanta, trying to lift her spirits as best she could.
"So what...I just forget my old life and try to get by here?" Atalanta inquired as Melitta stroked her blonde hair with her delicate fingers.
"Atalanta...you must not get so caught up in where you were, that you fail to make the most of where you are." Melitta cautioned gently. "These circumstances may not be the ones you wished for, but they are the circumstances that you now have. There is light even in the darkest of places if you are willing to hope and look for it."
"Thank you Melitta..." Atalanta replied as she knew that the best thing she could do was follow the advice of the body slave and try to get by.
"No graditude is required, let us join our sisters." Melitta said as she walked Atalanta into her new life as a slave of the house of Batiatus.
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