Uniform Stealing Board

rufusluciusivan wrote: Fri Nov 24, 2023 8:02 am Ancient Times is my favorite time period, and Ancient Rome is one of my second-favorite topic in this specific time period (the first being Alexander the Great's reign), so I had to leave a comment on this story at some point, even long after.

Ancient Rome's fashion has a lot of potential, and you used it to your advantage.

I find interesting how your characters consider the life of a citizen is worth more than the life of a slave - which is, I think, an accurate depiction of Ancient Rome's mentality.

I'll end with a nitpick. I know you dislike the trope of infiltrators carrying bondage tools on themselves. However, I think in this specific case it's a bit incoherent. Melita and Kassandra know beforehand they'll have to restrain some of their victims non-lethally. Two trained women NOT bringing at least a few ropes seems unprofessional and a potential hazard - as they could easily wrap a coil around the waist and conceal it under a tunic. But it's just a nitpick.

After your story, and given how cutthroat Roman politics were, I wonder if this sort of scenario didn't happen for real at least once...

Hi Rufus

I would have to agree with you there, although I tend to lean towards Ancient Rome largely down to the fact there are plenty points of reference and I was partly inspired by shows like Rome(RIP Ray Stevenson, you will be missed) and Spartacus. I would like to thank Arc as well for their assistance in the historical research and disguise path. Without them, this story wouldn't have been possible. Although I will admit that the time of Alexander intrigues me too, I had been thinking about writing a story about his death, involving an Uniform Stealing female assassin. (After all Alexander's death, is shrouded in mystery and gives someone like me, with my fertile imagination, plenty of inspiration.



Thank you, I researched heavily ancient roman fashion specifically the underwear for women. Which surprised me in the way that the Romans were among the first to come up with the proto bra and knickers we see on many a uniform stealing victim, today. (Or sometimes not, depending on the circumstances of course ) I also was inspired by the colourful dresses worn by the women in Spartacus and Rome. When I watched the shows and saw them, I always thought about them getting their outfits stolen.



I think given the option, Melita and Cassandra would have probably killed the citizens too but as they were ordered to spare them they had to comply. After all one does not anger Octavian Caesar likely, and had they not followed the directive then they would have forfeited more than their pay. But your correct, in Ancient Rome the life of a citizen was valued way more than your average slave. The slave girls in this story, would have been viewed as lower than dirt so Octavian had no problems with unshackling the Thracian Sisters here. And it does speak volumes as too the mentality of the age.



I don't mind the nitpick and you make a fair point, but there is only one problem with your argument. Consider that the Sisters were wearing leather armour, over their tunics. Had they concealed rope under them, by wrapping them around their waists this would have caused them problems. The first being discomfort, this would have caused rope burn, which not only would be uncomfortable for them but visible under their disguises( particularly the slave dancers.) that would be highly suspicious. Two, it wouldn't have been practical. The Sisters need to travel light and have full freedom of movement of the upper body to take out the two noblewomen at the start. Besides, I always prefer improvisation in these situations. The roman women, were wearing ready made bindings with their underwear and I feel its MORE professional for them as assassins to use what at hand. Not only do the victims end up naked(which is always a plus) but it shows Melita and Kassandra being practical and cunning to boot. But that's just my opinion, of course. I fully respect yours.



It wouldn't surprise me in the least if something like this did happen I the corridors of power in Ancient Rome. After all the Romans practically invented the term "cutthroat politics." Quite literally...