The day after the storm dawned clear and bright with little trace of yesterday's tempest, save for rain-slick streets and brimming cisterns. The gardens of Philandros' town house were sparkled with crystal dew, and Grumio had already cleared away the downed leaves and broken stems of flowers. The odors of fried sausage and eggs made their way to the upstairs room where two pairs of contented boys still lay sleeping. In one chamber, the boys lay together, entwined and relaxed after a night of close affection...in the other, a tall blond form stirred and made his way to the bedside of his former master. He was already dressed, and sprinkled water on the face of the sleeping Greek before prodding him gently with a finger to one red-locked temple.

"Come on, Corinna's doing sausages!" If anything could make the day begin for Olaf, it was Corinna's cooking--while Philandros could barely face anything at such an early hour. The Greek groaned and buried himself deeper in the blankets...but his former slave was ready for this, and pulled the blanket away to reveal his friend's lightly muscled form. "Get up, now...you know what comes next---"

Across the hall, Pallas sat up quickly, head spinning and foggy as he heard shrieking and loud cries nearby. He glanced around the still-dim room to see Titus unconscious, dead to any outside stimuli. Though the two had been lovers for only a short time, Pallas already knew that nothing short of an earthquake would wake Titus before the second hour. His confusion as to his location ended when Deimos poked his head around the door, and entered with a pitcher of warm water and a basin.

"What's that racket--is someone being murdered?" Deimos just laughed, and jerked his head toward the opposite door. "The young master hates to get up early--so Olaf takes it on himself to see Philandros ready for the day."

"Does that happen every day?" Pallas could hardly believe that anyone could make so much noise without being the victim of a robber's attack. "I'd think that Philandros would either learn to get up sooner, or lock Olaf out...."

Deimos looked at the form of Titus, still sleeping, and gave a mischievous grin which stretched from one blushing ear to the next. "You don't have ways to wake your friend up?" He was rewarded by the sight of Pallas turned redder than the dawn light coming in the open window, and proceeded to tell their guest how Olaf had slept at the foot of Philandros' bed since he came into the house, and still did so despite now being free. "He takes his love of the young master very seriously...and won't hear of any other arrangement," he finished.

By the time Pallas was dressed in a fresh chiton provided by their host, Titus had roused himself sufficiently to submit to some sponging and dressed in a fine wool tunic with a narrow crimson stripe. "It seems our host is prepared for every contingency!" He kissed Pallas gently and they walked downstairs where Philandros was already waiting.

Olaf rang a small bell, and the twins carried in a platter full of sausages and eggs, both boiled and fried. There was a selection of juices also...though a simple plate of fresh bread and oil was set before their host. Titus took one sausage, warily eyeing Olaf as if the boy might bite, and Pallas took an egg and some bread also.

"Gods--what is that the boy's doing now?!" Titus watched as the German spread a yellowish substance on some of the bread, and stuffed a piece into his mouth. The trio watched with interest as the boy chewed a few times, then swallowed, immediately inhaling a large bite of sausage.

Philandros laughed as he saw the expressions of disbelief on his guests' faces. "Yes, I feed him--he just stokes up for the day, and won't eat much again until nearly sunset--or so he says! And that is something called 'butter'...some product he taught Corinna to make from cow's milk...." Philandros shuddered.

Eventually, Olaf was sated, and the boys began talking about their plans for the day; Titus said he had some details to see to concerning the shop, and Pallas decided that he really should go to oversee things--so that no stock 'went wandering'--though what workmen would do with books was anyone's guess. Olaf said that, if Philandros wouldn't mind, he'd get working with Archelaus on writing his story...and their host smiled and nodded his enthusiastic agreement.

As they headed for the vestibule, Titus laid a hand on Pallas' shoulder, and pulled the boy close for a moment. "I need to find Laris and do some other things...will you mind if I meet you at the shop at noon? The men will be taking a break, and we can go over the progress together." He gave Pallas a soft kiss, bending slightly so their lips met comfortably.

Pallas leaned into his lover for a moment, sighing contentedly. "Of course not, Titus...I'll even see what I can find for lunch!" Titus gave him another kiss, and whispered, "So long as it's not sausages!", and watched as the smaller boy exited.

Titus turned back to Philandros, and turned serious. "If I might, I have a favor to ask of you...." and followed the Greek into the house's tablinum.