Thread: Ancient Rome (blushing-rose and casketslinger)

Magistrate Furious Medullinus stood in the pillar shaded viewing balcony with many of the other wealthy nobles which overlooked the slave stage. Commoners filled the courtyard below them, clamoring amongst themselves when the first batch of today's wares were brought up for inspection. Of course none of those lowly merchants and tradesmen could compete with money that the upper echelon could throw around, they hoped to at least pick at the scraps left over. Faustus Medullinus, tall and slender wearing an audacious gold leafed toga stepped up behind his elder cousin and motioned down to the dark haired slave girl with his palm fan. You see that one cousin? She looks as though she's already had the Rome put into her, Jus Primae Noctis if I've ever seen one. He said with a snide giggle. To which is older and much stockier cousin only waved him off. Do not draw attention to our intention cousin, I fancy that one and don't want Sextus to overhear. He seems to enjoy blocking my endeavors at every opportunity he can seize. Furious said and turned his handsome visage to peer upon his political opponent. Sextus Horatia stood only a few feet away, flanked as usual by his oiled slaves. Sextus kept only the finest gladiators and often like to show off their impressive physiques to intimidate those around him. The man himself was half the size of Furious and still managed to outweigh him by almost 50 libra roman measurement of weight equivalent to a pound . But in the decadents of the times, Furious' muscled frame from years of military service wasn't as desired as the round mushy one his contemporary carried. The Quaestor stepped up onto the stage and immediately the crowds cacophony dropped to a dull lull. What say you Brothers and Sisters of the Repulic, has the Ceasar not blessed us all with prosperity and tranquility on this fine day? The crimson robed auctioneer called out to the crowd and was repaid with a unanimous chant of Hail Ceasar in response. Tis a grand day indeed and today even grander as we here at NEBUNESQ LARTIUS'S HOUSE OF SLAVES brings you another fine batch from the isles of Britannia. These Celts are fit and healthy and our first showcase brings you lucky buyers a chance to purchase yourself genuine virgin savage for only 1000 denarius aureus per slave and as always we guarantee our product, if you find your purchase defective in any way you can return it with no questions asked within the 6 month grace period. Gentlemen I present to you the warrior virgins of Britannia. Lartius called out in his usual brand of outlandish showmanship and his subordinates walked up from behind the slave girls and began pulling the clothing away from their bodies until everyone stood naked in front of god. Lewd catcalls and fruit were tossed up onto the stage at the frightened foreign girls from the peanut gallery of commoners at floor level while the nobles whisper among themselves. Furious was about to bid on the dark haired girl but just as he went to raise his silver braceleted arm Sextus called out and interrupted him. The house of Horatia bids Twelve thousand denarius for the entire lot of them! He announced with his typical feminine swipe of his hand. The crowd cheers at the lavish expenditure of money but Sextus seems more preoccupied with shooting Furious a dirty look, as if to say, 'compete with that'. You are right cousin, he has no need of these females, his gladiator harem is already the talk of the town, he only wishes to slight your ambitions. Faustus again whispers into his cousin's ear. Thirteen from the house of Medullinus and not for the lot, just for the one with the dark hair and plaque that reads Aurelia! Furious says in a commanding tone and the crowd gasps. ..... After all how many more heathens does Sextus need to breed before he forever muddies his bloodline. I do this as a favor to your ancestors friend! You'll thank me later! Furious calls out without hesitation and the crowd below breaks into laughter at the slight. Sextus can only glower at his rival from across the balcony and accept the jab as a good natured jest because several elected Senators are here spectating and to loose face in front of them would spell disaster for his political career. Let it be so then, if Furious needs his taste for savages sated by a half breed he can have her, I will not be the one to stand infront of a freeman's fetishes. Sextus tried to throw shade back at Furious but the jeer fell on deaf ears of the crowd whom was still laughing at Frurious' dig. But cousin, has the sun tipped your humors toward ichor? Surely it must, why have you spent our entire budget on a single girl? Faustus asked nervously. He had seen several large Celt men that would make good gladiators, nay possibly even champions, and now they couldn't afford them. I have my reasons Faustus, as always, I do not act unless my intentions are true, go and fetch some clothing for the girl and get her washed up before we set off for home, will you? Furious asked his cousin and the younger relative nodded reluctantly and set off to complete his task. Furious stood tall and broad in his olive colored toga, staring down at the oddly familiar looking slave girl he'd just purchased at an exorbitant amount. He's the picture of a seasoned warrior personified, hair now cut short and wearing a silver laurel wreath at just above his prominent brow which shadowed his out of the ordinary blue eyes. His large square jaw is clenched with determination and covered in a eloquently curled black beard, which is out of style here in the empire but he's grown accustomed to in his years of military service abroad and refused to shave even in defiance of his wife's pleas. It covers a long scar that runs the length of the left side of his face which he received in the very homeland of the girl he'd just purchased derives from during his time as a legionnaire. Hail Furious, what say you, why so generous today? Fortunes are made with shrewd business sense not flamboyant expenditures. Why not let me buy the lot and then offer me a fair price for the girl, surely you would have made out better on the deal. I would have only charged family half of what you paid. Sextus said as he approached and shook Furious from his trance like gaze at the young slave girl. Family by marriage is hardly blood, Sextus, and although I appreciate your offer I'd prefer to not rely on the generosity of others. Furious said staring down at his diminutive round brother-in-law. How is my beautiful sister anyway? It seems its been ages since I last saw her, almost as if her domineering husband wishes to sever any family ties. Sextus shot back. Chloe bodes well enough, although sometimes I loath the spoiled upbringing she was afforded at your father's house. She sends her regards and an invitation for your family to come and join us for a feast and festivities in a weeks time. Furious answered barely offering more than a brief glance at the man. It would be our honor, maybe I'll bring a few of my second string boys along for your bush-leaguers to spar with for our entertainment. I'll be sure to tell them not to play too hard, lest you be left with no one to fight for your house in the games. Might I ask why spend your hard earned money on a single slave girl, when there are rumors that you'll be returning to your post, post haste? Sextus asked, his eyebrows crawling up his balding forehead like they were trying to escape his face. I've heard no such rumors, nor would I believe them if I did. My service to the Empire is long since fulfilled and soon I shall have my seat in the Senate, not traversing foreign lands as I did for the lion's share of my young adult life. It is well known what I've sacrificed for the majesty of Ceasar, my children still look at me as though I were a stranger due to the time I've spent away from them. Furious states flatly, not giving into Sextus' provoking comments. Well as I said it was only a rumor and although I heard it from a reputable source, I'm sure you are right, there is no way such a charismatic individual like yourself would be passed over for a seat on the Senate. But tell Chloe I look forward to seeing her and the children next week. I shall leave you with your thoughts then sir. Sextus said, giving one final jab before walking back off to smooze with the other elitists. Furious knew that although Sextus was reproachable he was also right. Furious had been a magnificent general out on the field of battle, but now here, back in Rome where it wasn't what a man knew, but whom he knew that mattered, he hadn't fared all so well. On several occasions he'd been far too blunt with the wrong men, connected men, men who decided other men's fate and sooner or later it was going to end up coming back to bite him in the ass. Furious cleared his head of the serpent tongued imp chiding and set off down through the marble staircase that lead to the purchasing office. He'd just dumped his entire budget on a single girl, when his wife had been expecting him to return with a cadre of new gladiator recruits. These were far more pressing thoughts right now and he'd have his hands full once they returned to the homestead.