<div class="floatleft">(http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b266/Ivypen/pets/secrets/melete.jpg)</div>Melete woke up like she always woke up; watching Atra getting ready for the day with a smile on her lips. There was nothing really sexual about it; she just liked to watch Atra bounce around in her cheery way; it was like she fed off of some of the energy and it helped her to get ready for her own day. She would have woken up to watch Pan if she was anywhere near as cheery as Atra was in the morning. Melete started off her day a bit more relaxed then the other slaves; she moved a bit slower but still got the work done that was expected of her.<br/><br/>She stretched in a fluid sort of movement and yawned content to herself; today was going to be a good day, she could feel it in her bones. She got up and moved to the washbasin, happy to have such thoughtful young girls working with her; becuase she'd been in households before where some bitches used up all the clean water before she or anyone else could even get to it. Taking a rag she quickly washed herself off; making sure to get all over herself of course. This was probably the one thing she DID do in a fast way; becuase damn, was that water cold. Once acceptably clean she quickly moved to dry herself off; grabbing for her own clothes that had been neatly laid out the night before and wrapping herself up in them. She was happy that she wasn't a free woman sometimes in the morning when she dressed; becuase otherwise this might have become a chore; even a process with all the layers those women had to wear. once done with that she moved off to the side and began combing out her hair and putting it up in a half-assed sort of a fashion. She personally liked her hair to look a little messy. She wasn't sure why but it always seemed to make her look younger; something she was happy to have.<br/><br/>Once dressed and ready to face her duties she walked out of the slave quarters and through the Alas towards the culina; she was one of the cooks after all and gods knows you couldn't expect Pan to cook anything. Not that she was a bad slave or cook of course; just that she took pride in serving the masters youngest and would hate to leave her side. And quite frankly with some of the rumors that Mel has heard~ she was probably sticking so close to her to save her own skin. Mel smiled at that thought; walking into the culina to see Atra running around with herbs and getting the water ready for the baths sure to be happening soon.<br/><br/>It really was nice to be in a higher up position; becuase to be honest; though she was far from old; she was getting up there and ever since her 32nd birthday she's been finding it just a little harder to have the same energy as some of the younger slaves did. Not that she didn't still have 'energy' of course; just now it seemed that she wasn't quite able to move as fast as some of the younger girls. And the easier her jobs were; the less she felt that way; and the easier it was to be pleasant in the company of others.<br/><br/>She quickly pulled together the ingredients for the bread; happy to see Atra had already laid them out for her and started to mix them together; adding the appropriate amounts of things as she did so, making sure to make a few that were specifically sweet; and ones that were plain. Knowing how much some of the gladiators loved the sweet bread, and how it put them in such a better mood for the day. She smiled widely to herself; she loved it when the gladiators were in a good mood from something they'd eaten; becuase then it made them think about her. And usually it made them want to thank her. Something she was always willing to receive from the young ones. Especially from Korbis, even if he wasn't one of the young ones anymore. She chuckled to herself at that thought and quickly shook it from her mind, kneading the dough together; putting all of the force she could muster into it.<em>'At least I still have my upper body strength.'</em>she thought to herself in a satisfied sort of a way.<br/><br/>As she continued to pound and roll the bread into submission she lifted her gaze to see Atra just standing there; and she gave a deep frown. Something she was often loathe to do considering the fact that it made her look older then she was.<strong>"It must be nice to have so much free time."</strong>She chided her as she came back to work.<strong>"You don't need to be staring after the masters of this house do you understand me Atra? If you want something to occupy your time; then go cut up those fruits over there. But don't just stand around gawking."</strong>She didn't really say it in a harsh tone; though it was certainly a reprimand. Melete loved Atra after all; she loved all of the other slaves that she worked with to a certain extent. And she certainly didn't want to see them get into trouble; especially the pretty ones.<br/><br/>She sighed and stood a little straighter; stretching out her arms again. She hated how they seemed to get sore from just this... Was she really getting that much older? Sure the life of a slave meant you fell a part quicker... but she was never really a base slave. She had a trade; she got the easier jobs... But her body was still starting to decline. Not fast at all mind you. She could still get everything done that she needed! she was just a bit more sore or tired after wards. No big deal.<br/><br/><strong>"I'm sorry darling."</strong>She purred to Atra in apology after a few moments, she knew how much Atra hated to be yelled at.<strong>"I just don't want to give the masters any reason to hurt you. That's all."</strong>She added on; pulling out her knife and making distinct cuts on the loaves of bread to signal which were and were not sweet bread. And then she took one of each aside and cut it up a few times; making sure that when it rose it wouldn't look at all appetizing. That was her little way of making sure the girls and her had something to eat at the end of all this. Having worked it out as a system long ago; even teaching it to some of the other slaves from other households. Always making sure that those with in her rank knew what it meant. And not to take advantage of it.<br/><br/>Melete moved from the bread now; leaving them to sit for a few moments as she moved over to Atra and kissed her on the cheek affectionately.<strong>"Today we get some new blood~"</strong>She sing songed in a playful way; wanting to see her in her usual cheery mood again as she pulled the fruit over to her to cut it and set it out in a slightly messy order; knowing Atra would be able to make it look much lovelier. She continued to talk as she continued to chop.<strong>"Some gladiators and maybe a slave or two; though you didn't hear that from me of course."</strong>She said with a smile and a laugh to her voice;  pointing her knife at her in a mock serious fashion. No one EVER heard it from her after all. And if they did; then they never heard it; or anything else from her ever again.<br/><br/>Once done with that she moved away from Atra, letting her go and set out the fruit as she saw fit; grabbing a few pitchers and jugs; filling one or two with wine; one with a small amount of water and then some wine; and then one with just water. She smiled down at them. The only things they didn't have was that mead rubbish some of the gladiators were always going on about.