<strong>~ Guard Captain Burrus &amp; NPC slave; Eira ~<br/>~ Slave passageway, leading up to Kitchen's [Eira] &amp; Gladiator's mess hall [Burrus] ~</strong><br/><br/>Eira quickly moved down the dimly lit passageway, past the empty Gladiator cells to the stone stairwell that would take her directly up into the bustling kitchens. She could hear the chatter already, and anxiously dreaded being caught by the head cook up there. The presence of Burrus following two steps behind her somewhat helped to ease her nerves, though if they were seen, again, walking together, it certainly was not going to help stop new rumours from circulating. Neither would the quick smack that fell upon her arse, and cracked against the closely fitted walls as he passed her by. He was headed further down the corridor to the mess hall, which definitely sounded a lot nosier than usual. She, on the other hand, would have to ascend into the hell of her duties. Taking a deep breath, Eira quickly padded up the steps, and popped her head up into the busy room above. The cook was busy at the other end of the room shouting at a newer slave for spoiling the seasoning. That made it far easier for Eira to slip in beside a small group of slave girls, who were chopping and washing vegetables and fruit. They both gave her the knowing eye, but she shrugged it aside to get on with her tasks in silence. Fortunately, their gossip of the day was centred around the 'Ampleforpuss' one.<br/><br/>Glancing up as Aishwa bounced so playfully towards the group, Eira was far more preoccupied with avoiding the cook's gaze. So she ducked beneath the table to gather peelings from the floor. Cook liked a tidy kitchen, and the gossiping girls were being carelessly messy. She heard the conversation, but in truth, was a little out of the loop. Being in the company of the Guard Captain often did that. Anything could happen in the Ludus in that precious time spent hidden away. Why they were preparing a large feast alone was a mystery to her, never mind where Galo or Nakia were currently located.<br/><br/>Peering up at the table, she saw that the cook was busy monitoring someone else, so she finally rose to her feet again just as the male slave rushed by. She recognised him as one of the newer slaves, one she had labelled as a slow learner and a bit dim. He certainly wasn't meant to be in the kitchens right now though. So, before he could whisk away again, Eira quickly reached out to grab hold of his arm.<br/><br/>“Cilo!” She hissed the name quickly, but in a hushed tone so as not to draw attention from unwanted persons. Namely, the cook. “What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be manning the courtyard?” Shaking her head, she lightly frowned, but quickly ducked behind him with a little gasp to avert the cook's glare again. From behind him, she tutted, keeping her hands pressed against his back as though he served as a sturdy column for hiding behind.<br/><br/>“Stay still a moment, and tell us what you're doing. Or I will tell Nakia your shortcomings, and she will surely have you whipped twice for each of them.”<br/><br/><hr/><br/>Meanwhile, the Guard Captain approached the mess hall, where the name was more literally fitting for the sights that greeted him. The two guards stationed by the door that led through to the inner courtyard, dutifully kept their position in fear that the brawl might get out of hand. It would not do to have the gladiator's spilling through into the villa. The other guard outside the infirmary, watched anxiously. Most bothersome of all, was that the Doctore was nowhere to be seen. Burrus growled under his breath; as much as he enjoyed putting the Gladiator's back in line, he had just lain with his woman, who had worked her usual magic and managed to calm him far too much. He certainly wasn't in the mood for a fight right now.<br/><br/>“Guards!” He barked, lazily remaining at the back of the room. “Put the dogs back in line.” The three guards abandoned their posts to begin whacking at the brawling men with clubs and flat steel. Some received a kick to the rear that sent them tumbling out onto the sands of the training grounds, while others were more literally shoved back to their seats. But none dared to go up against the guards. At least, none of those who more proudly wore the mark.<br/><br/>