<strong>~ Aishwa in the kitchen, looking to find Nakia or Galo to advise them of the visitors in need of welcoming ~</strong><br/><br/>A knowing smirk flitted across the faces of several of the slaves clustered together in the kitchen, accompanied by another round of naughty giggles.  Aishwa smiled in response, but at the same time her dark brows furrowed slightly as she wasn’t quite sure of the cause of their sudden amusement.<br/><br/><strong>“Psst... Aishwa! You have a message for Nakia, yes? Then, please could you take clean garments to the baths with you? I could fetch them, if you like, and Cilo will promise to owe you for it too.”</strong><br/><br/>Aishwa’s brows swooped upward in surprise as Eira suddenly peered from behind the cute redhead, speaking to her in a hushed whisper. “Eira!” She exclaimed happily, then flung her small hand quickly to cover her mouth as if to stifle any further outburst, her eyes darting guiltily toward the cook. Aishwa was one of the newest house slaves at the ludus, but her guileless naivete combined with her willingness to always pitch in to help where needed had earned her a comfortable position within the group of more seasoned slaves. After Nakia, Eira was the house slave Aishwa most looked up to, so her face beamed in pleasure at the chance to both discharge her duty as well as aid Eira. “So...Nakia is in the baths?” she deduced from Eira’s words.<br/><br/><strong>“Yes, I’ll do anything you ask of me Aishwa, I swear it. ANYTHING.  Please do this for me, Aishwa?”</strong><br/><br/>A giggle bubbled over Aishwa’s lips at the earnest look on Cilo’s face and his pleading tone. Something about the man reminded her of a playful puppy that hadn’t quite learned how to behave. Not the sharpest of minds perhaps, but sweet nonetheless. “I’m happy to to do it, Eira,” she smiled at the beautiful blonde warmly, then gave Cilo a wink as she hurried on her way, not wanting too much time to pass with the guests waiting for her to deliver their message.<br/><br/>After quickly grabbing a few garments - she wasn’t sure exactly how many were needed - Aishwa headed toward the baths. Once outside, she squinted her eyes against the bright sunlight, her swift steps faltering as the unmistakeable sounds of fighting reached her ears. Suddenly, a large form hurled its way from inside the mess and onto the sands in front of her. With a frightened squeak and eyes going wide, Aishwa stopped dead in her tracks, clutching the garments close to her chest as if in protection. Large ebony eyes stared at the proud gladiator as he spewed his angry words, as every line of his body bespoke of violence barely contained.<br/><br/><strong>”You will see exactly how much fire and aggression I possess!”</strong><br/><br/>Tilting her head slightly, her eyes warmed with recognition at the one on the sands; this was the man she had shaved and oiled earlier this very day. As she ran her eyes over the chiseled planes of his body, she frowned in disapproval at the clumps of sand sticking to his oiled skin and the smearing of the smooth gloss she had worked so hard to apply.  And then it dawned on her; the gladiator was completely naked in front of her.<br/><br/>Suddenly another gladiator emerged from within the mess; this one she knew was Ammon, the Egyptian. He too was furious, his violence held tightly leashed within his rock-hard body as he hurled threats and condemnations at the new man. And...he was totally naked as well. And as her eyes focused behind Ammon into the pandemonium within the mess...oh wait...they ALL were naked! It was a parade of bare flesh wherever her eyes moved to look, and suddenly she became flustered, a pink blush blooming on her cheeks and her mouth falling open as she stared.  Closing her mouth with a click of teeth, Aishwa found the moment suddenly quite humorous, and not able to contain a rush of giggles, she dashed past the mess of nakedness and straight to the baths.<br/><br/>Entering the baths, she looked around for Nakia as she worked to compose herself. A mischievous smile turning up the corner of her mouth, she hoped that the fighting and resultant mussing of the gladiator’s presentation meant that they would have to be cleaned and oiled once more; for that was at least one task of the many over the course of her long day which she wouldn’t mind repeating.<br/><br/>Walking toward Nakia, Galo, and two of the new slaves, Aishwa glanced quickly at them all, eyeing appreciatively the beauty she beheld from each one of them. Unconsciously, she bowed momentarily before addressing the head house slave. “Nakia, I am told you have requested garments? And, there are several guests in the outer courtyard who have requested that I announce their presence so that they may gain entrance and be provided refreshment from the heat.” Abruptly her eyes caught sight of something bobbing and twitching with a life of its own between Galo and the new male slave standing behind him. It was huge. It was hard. It was...<em>no, it couldn’t actually be</em>....suddenly the memory of the slaves gossiping about a monster serpent in the baths rose in her mind. She had apparently just encountered “Ampleforpuss” - and indeed, it truly was! Her sweet laughter spilled out, as she was unable to contain herself any longer.<br/><br/>