<span style="font-family: 'Book Antiqua'"><span class="fixed-color" style="color:#ffffff">Under most circumstances, a proving bout such as this would have been done with sparring weapons, but Regulus wanted to see just how deeply Mettius' disrespect and animosity ran. The other gladiators seemed uneasy with his choice of arms bearer and weapons and it cause a wry smile to hint at the corner of his lip. Perfect. He wanted them uncomfortable, ill at easy, at the edge remembering what a harsh Dominus he could be and that there would no longer be any pandering to the fighters whose sole purpose for living was to die for his glory and greed. Yes, yes perhaps one day there'd be on that was actually good enough to free, but watching the lot below him, he doubted it would be any time soon.<br/>
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Ezara took a step back and looked back to Dominus as the first unsanctioned swings erupted. He was far to new to the nobleman to hazard a guess to his will in this matter. Reguls looked to him with a subtle shake of the head; the Doctore was to remain back to see what unfolded. Ezara knew at that moment that the man was shrewd and wise. He had chosen these men for a reason; he was testing Mettius' metal and loyalty and Mettius had failed within the first second. Ezara took the offered moment to watch the two fighters face off, scrapping like back alley thugs.<br/>
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Mettius fought with rage and the kind of bravery that was born of blind retribution. Yannis fought with unhoned skill, but he seemed to keep his head and work his defensive situation well; well enough to turn a shield into a weapon as well as armor. After a few rounds he looked again to Dominus. The man was smiling; drinking his wine, relaxed and unconcerned. It made him wonder deeper about the man who had paid quite dearly to purchase him from the eastern circuit. Was he a man with so much disposable coin that it hadn't mattered? Had he gambled a large sum of his fortune and bet Ezara could turn the tide of his ludus around? Whatever it was that had driven Dominus to secure his expertise, he was certain to get the most that Ezara could give.<br/>
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Regulus continued to hold Ezara at bay from interceding and Tiberius sat on pins and needles watching as the two gladiators got more and more violent with each other. There was more blood, more sweat, more aggression and injurious intent. "Dominus, one will surely kill the other!" He worried aloud.<br/>
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Regulus chuckled. "Oh, indeed. My bet is that Mettius will be swine food by the end out it," he chuckled and reached out to run the back of his hand down the smoothly shaven leg of his favorite body slave. He liked his body smooth and soft, he demanded it, and so Tiberius was fastidious to always make sure it was so. He never wanted to anger Dominus, or displease him. As one of the few trusted residents of the villa, he had seem much, knew much, and at times feared much. Dominus was gracious to those he favored; but if you fell to his bad side, there was little chance of recovering that favor and a certainty of painful degradation at Dominus' own hands.</span></span>