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@DaGlobster !]
Ghali was nothing if not a collector.
Only in his case, he tended to collect people, in one way or another.
Some were slaves, like Kuvira. Some were staff, his guardsmen and cooks and such. And some were curiosities, like Juras. Ghali had always had a love of the Colosseum games and he had heard word of the Longknife and how he, a volunteer, was rising through the ranks and starting to make a name for himself. It was definitely worth looking into, and when his men had confirmed that the rumors were true, Ghali decided he needed to be first to leap on the opportunity and sponsor him before others could.
It would be beneficial to them both. Ghali could provide him expert training, medical care, equipment, and better meals, and use his clout and influence to enter him into high profile matches Juras might otherwise not have access to, and as a result make a killing off of the winnings. Really, it was every gladiator's dream, free or slave, to receive the backing of a merchant prince. That was what
really opened the doors for career advancement.
To celebrate their new partnership and seal the deal, Ghali invited Juras to dinner that night as a show of good faith and celebration--and because he always did love a good excuse to drink and feast. His cooks were whipping up quite the magnificent meal, complete with dessert, and Ghali was still fussing and getting ready and having his tailor do some last minute alterations to his rick silk robes, hemming it here and there. It was a bit tighter on him these days.
"Kuvira," he called, and she rose from where she'd been sitting on the bed. She, too, was dressed for the occasion, decked out in the gold jewellery (bracelets, anklets, and a lavish decorative collar) provided her by Ghali, though her clothing was simple but elegant; just a white sheath dress that reached her knees and hugged her shape, leaving little to the imagination. "Our guest should be arriving shortly. Be a dear and see he's made comfortable."
"Yes, master," she said with a bow, and turned to leave--but not before he gave her bottom a firm grope, his hand slipping up inside her dress. She was glad her back was turned so he couldn't see her scowl. Instead, she blushed prettily and made the proper noises, giving a coy little gasp and a soft, "Oh, master!"
It was amazing how some people never figured out she was faking.
"You look beautiful," he said. "Ravishing. I've half a mind to bend you over and have myself a little appetizer."
The tailor, who was busily fixing Ghali's other sleeve, cleared her throat loudly. Ghali glanced at her with raised eyebrows as though surprised she was still there, then slid his hand away.
"Right. Run along, then."
Thank freakin' Hakeshna.With another graceful, "Yes, master," Kuvira smoothed down her dress and slipped out the door.
Finally!At least tonight would be interesting. She'd get to actually meet a gladiator for more than five minutes, so that was something to spice up her otherwise dull social life. He would no doubt be leagues more interesting to listen to than Ghali's blabbering about things no one cared about but had to politely act like they did, and hopefully Ghali actually let him talk about the arena! Kuvira had been to several of the games over her life, and she quite enjoyed the bloodless ones--and on that league of thought, she couldn't help but wonder if this gladiator had ever killed someone.
As horrible as it was, there was something intriguing about the element of danger such a thing brought to the table.
And better yet, a partnership with him might give her easy access to arena information. She had learned of a few curious happenings over the last few weeks involving certain disobedient slaves--and it would be a good opportunity to get a finger on the pulse of such matters, and learn fact from fiction.
And so she waited near the door to let him in when he arrived and provide him whatever hospitality she could. Hopefully her master took longer; he tended to be fashionably late. She wanted a chance to feel him out on her own.
