The sun beat down on the bustling city, the endless drought pressing them further to famine and thirst. The people still stirred between the concrete walls, buying their fill and trading their wares. One man in particular always had his hand in someone's pocket. He was well known for trading everything - from jewels, to food, to whores. He knew no bounds. And even now with the withering weather hot upon their backs, he still out shined those with lower prices and better causes.<br/>Despite the harsh weather, there were always things to be done in the good city of Cueserus - mainly that of the victories beholding of the beasts inside the walls of the arena. This was a time where Gladiators walked among gods, framing their kills and earning the glory of the crowd. Should they fall from favor, their life may likely follow.<br/>Away from the rambling of the city was a district of noble homes, perched up the hill with access to any who might arrive of flee. Several steps in any one of their back yards would send them hurling down into the ocean below. However, one sat just a bit lower than the rest. Past these scattered 'mansions' lay the intriguing home of Casus Marinius Simius, who hosted the only Gladiators in the city. Though he began small, he built and empire upon blood and rock, naming one champion after another as outsides came to fight their best Gladiators, only to watch them fall under the elite trained men that resided beside his house.<br/>On the ground was a grand ludus, a courtyard fit for fifty men and their living quarters right beside that. Extending further was their decorated villa, filled with their marvels and trinkets that expressed their glory. It was quite the home to seem compared to the others. Though smaller in size and encompassed by most of the ludus, they still had others envy their lives.<br/>Along with the good dominus Simius, was his deviant wife and daughter, Vitus and Melaila. Though he loved them so, he had no idea the things they did behind his back. They were more or less for his benefit when it came to his wife, but his daughter strictly deceived. At the tender age of seventeen, she was discovering herself and what she wanted, and unafraid to seek it out, thanks to the grand title her father had acclimated. But as kind and innocent as she had lived, her new discoveries not only opened her eyes to herself, but to the ways of men.<br/>Among this small family were an assortment of slaves - not including his gladiators. How maids and wine bearer, back scrubbers, and cunt preparers. Anything these people were needed for, they would do, especially at the command of their dominus or domina's.<br/>One slave in particular was set apart from the others. Given to the young heiress at a young age, she has stayed by her side to watch her grow and tend to her, occasionally resembling that of friends. But even with such kindness, there were times she was reminded vividly of her status - that of a simple slave to be used as desired.<br/><br/>The afternoon sizzled on, threatening to bake the women of the house if it had not been for their hand crafted awning. They rested comfortably in their chaise lounges and watched as the gladiators trained. The crack of the whip from their trainer still occasionally caught the young Melaila off guard, turning her head quickly in surprise.<br/>"Mother, when will the rains return? I'm tired of this sun." she whined.<br/>"Patience my dear child. The clouds have yet to cover over the mountains, but it shan't take much longer - a day or two at most. Be patient my pet."<br/>She crossed her arms and huffed, laying her head back with a delicate mouth opening. A single green grape was deposited to her tongue by a delicate hand. There, standing beside the young mistress was her personal hand maiden, Kaiana. She stood at attention, he strange chocolate-auburn hair drifting in the faint breeze they beckoned. It swept the mid curve of her back, concealing the faint markings scattered across, considering the lack of garb most of them were granted to wear. These markings continued up her back, scattering along her shoulders and neck, thickening across her nose like dust. Her pale blue eyes looked up at her mistress, a small smile perking her smooth, pink lips.<br/>"Another domina?" she cooed.<br/>"No." Melaila said with a heavy sigh, "I'm tired of fruit. I'm ready for supper. Something hardy."<br/>"Now Melaila, watch yourself. You wouldn't want to blow up like that pig Perina." Her mother chuckled.<br/>"Oh mother, I could never, I'm more than half her size. But I can't believe how much she can eat on her own. It'll be a wonder if she'll ever gain a man's favor to call him husband."<br/>They both laughed at someone they favored as friend, Kaiana looking down through the railings at the gladiators. She had no favor towards mocking others. Not that it was her place, but she leaned more towards the tender side of humanity, sweet and giving most of her days.<br/>Her translucent eyes glided around the courtyard to the rugged men. They traveled along it's sand to the other side which led into their dining hall and over into their quarters which descended below ground. Everything they needed down there was held by sturdy beams, dense walls, and generations of proper care.<br/>They finally stopped on one man, a particular one she had been drawn to for a while with his form and skill. But she quickly erased it from her mind. Despite that they were both considered slaves, they would never be permitted to interact with one another.