Automata Romana

Chapter 2: The house

"Hadrian, how was the market to you?" spoke a firm voice. "Pretty busy from what I've heard."

"I did walk a bit to find what you wanted, but there was no issue."

"Well, you brought me my expensive fabrics, and in the end, that's what really matters."

"Indeed."

"You see," Hadrian's master explained, "You always need to have your priorities straight. Discipline over motivation. If you have to do something, do it."

"Alexios, may I ask you something?"

"Anything for you my dear boy."

"You seem to be fond of giving me these parables. Why is this?"

"Because I can tell that you are a bright young man, and I wish for you to succeed. I hope that one day you can take the reins of all I have here, as I could think of no one better."

"I find all of this flattering," Hadrian said in earnest question, "but don't you have a son?"

There is a moment of silence...

They both started laughing.

"Ahh ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

"What son?" joked Alexios. "Oh Hadrian, how you make me laugh. Now, do you think you could take a walk around and make sure all is in order?"

"Garden, kitchen, dining hall?"

"Add the atrium at the end there and you'll have enough time for a good night's rest. You'll need it for tomorrow."

"Seems good. I'll be off."

Now in the garden, Hadrian looked around. He could see servants, mostly women, talking to each other while they tended to the garden. Being a somewhat handsome character he noticed he had a good few glances directed his way, most longing, but a few dejected and annoyed. Particularly so from a man named Fluvius, a certain someone who held his position before he. Regardless, all seemed in enough order so Hadrian continued on.

Now in the kitchen, Hadrian saw servants preparing food. Fantastically sweet oats, many beautifully colored wines with fragrant aromas filling the air, great long vines of the largest and juiciest grapes to adorn the sides of the massive centerpiece boar. Such wonderful sights and smells had his mouth watering. He wanted so desperately to take a bite, but alas it was not for him, not today. Fortunately, he soon enough had something else on his mind. Heading towards the area where the dishwashing is, he went up to the three women working there.

"Have any of you seen Kiya?" he questioned.

"Oh it's Hadrian! Nice to see you here! How have ye been?" says the one closest to him.

"I've been doing well Cornelia. How are the kids? And sorry, it was so rude of me to just barge in like that."

"Oh all is fine, no worry needed. The kids have been doing well. Better, anyways. It will be a while yet before they get over the father."

"Ah bless that man. Truly unfortunate what happened to him. You know what they say, if you drink lots of wine one night and attempt to annoy a very large bull, you will most likely be violently gored by its horns."

"Truly a lesson from the deep thinkers." she said. "Anyways, if it's Kiya ye want, then just head on over into the dining room. She's preparing something."

"Thank you, be sure to ask me a favor if ever needed."

"No need." Cornelia smiled. "Now get goin, I'm busy"

Hadrian walked through the doorway to the grand dining hall, marble statues of every god from Mars to Anubis practically lining the walls with the towering grandeur making the skill of their craftsmen quite apparent. Numerous round tables that shall be adorned with a veritable mountain of the finest cuisine in all the known world, Ceres and Renenutet are to be in a hearty embrace as powerful and important men discuss their plans for the future. Setting dishes upon these tables, was the venerable Kiya.

"Hello!" Hadrian chirped excitedly. "Busy are ya?"

"You seem excited." she smirked "And oh, I am being worked to the bone, mine feeble hands and weak knees can not take this slaver's toil..... Can you help me pick out which color of mat the lower ranked guests will sit on?"

"Beige?" remarked Hadrian.

"Really? Have you become so desensitized to luxury that such drab is the bell ringer of existence? Our lower class guests aren't THAT low class."

"Fine, blue?"

"Blue is lovely. I already brought over the chairs to the table master will be seated at."

"Oh how do you manage to hold yourself so high in such laborious conditions?"

'How do you?' Hadrian wondered. 'How can one hold a presence brighter than the sun? How can you look to be so soft and smooth, yet have a wit sharper than that of Cupid's arrow, of which I am its bearer in your name?' How are you so?'

"Well, the pay is ok. And I do get splendid company...." She said, trailing off.

"You aren't half bad yourse-"

Crash

in the distance a voice sounded "RiVER, Whose soft muddy banks are overgrown with REEds...."

"Oh dear. I'd better get going."

"Let's hope he hasn't caused too much damage." said Kiya.

"Lets."