Titus was listening to the commentary on Medea from his new greek friends, and trying his best to contribute...though he dared not admit that he had never seen the greek version, and that he knew Maternus' version only from a copy! He had heard some discussions at the various libraries in Rome, and had a good memory, so he used some of what he'd overheard to keep himself from looking totally clueless. Himself, he much preferred comedy to the old tragedies, but his two friends seemed to assume that everyone liked the classics.

He couldn't help noticing the interaction between the newcomers and Hylas--but he tried not to be too obvious about it; he wondered what could have happened between the two youths to foster such ill feeling, and he assumed that since they were both greek, and good looking, it must have concerned a mutual lover. As he had no experience in such matters, Titus had nothing but a casual curiosity about the matter...as for the blond giant!--it was highly unusual to see a man of such size and coloring--in the markets of Rome, he would bring a small fortune! In Pompeii, such a prize had been freed--and not used in the arena?--what had his previous owner been thinking!?

When Pallas got up to retrieve more wine, Titus took a chance to look closer at Hylas and the blond; the two were obviously friends, and yet seemed to be having a disagreement: Hylas gave a jaundiced look at 'Giton and made a gesture which could only mean one thing--and Olaf shook his head from side to side, but at the same time he blushed mightily. That had to mean that he liked the other greek, but hadn't yet slept with him...and Hylas thought that was a bad move.

Titus looked toward the kitchen and caught Pallas' look of embarrassment...he smiled in reassurance--after all, a host had no control over the behavior of his guests--and in Rome far worse things had happened even at formal banquests! His smile must have made Pallas feel better, because the other returned with a new pitcher and took a seat after filling everyone's cups.

The conversation had lagged without Pallas, and the topic of plays was quickly abandoned in favor of newer, less controversial topics. Hylas was telling Olaf about kittens, and how someone named Philandros would be receiving one...this made the german smile and look very happy, relating something about having seen a forest cat from time to time. Titus' own face took on a smiling, far-away look as he thought of cats....