Thread: SPQR (Roman and sincerelyyours)

Orania Adventus could smell Rome. Walking among it's streets, with her silk blue stola wrapped around her lithe form, she could see all her city had to offer. People stank of sweat and desperation, and their mouths worked lies and showed rotting teeth. Had the young noble woman not had her guards and slaves with her, she was sure to have been assaulted multiple times just by walking the streets and observing trinkets and baubles she might find easy on the eyes. Lucia, her voice sang, an angel among the filth of a wild city. Be a dear and pour me more water. My throat has become parched from this vile heat. The olive skinned Grecian girl bowed her head silently, taking a cup from another smaller woman and promptly filling it enough so her mistress could sip from it as she liked. The sun was enough it seemed, to put her into an off mood. They had only just recovered from another drought, and many thought that Jupiter's fury was still upon them, despite the rains they were given only a few days pass. Perhaps this is retribution for my cousin taking on the role of Caesar The thought had crossed the woman's mind more than once on occasion, but she had yet to find mind to bring thought to voice. Her cousin was well loved enough by some, but others spoke of different things behind closed doors. Things she had only become privy too because of her closeness with many of the slaves. Shall we head home then? , her voice suddenly called out, interrupting her thoughts. The women and guards around her gave a respectful bow, and many of the commoners sought to follow suit as she began the walk back to her home. A messenger of her cousins had told her to be swift of foot to arrive before the noon hour. There was some nonsense about him defeating a foreign king and leaving her something of a surprise, but she had no idea what that would have to do with her. Remember your duty to Rome. Her father had drilled into her this morning, as if she had not heard that same damn phrase thousands of times in her life. Rome was alive to her father and brothers. A living organism whose life revolved around her people. The hypocrisy behind all this made speaking to most of her family a most tedious action. An hour or so later, she and her entourage reached the steps that led to main room where her cousin's messenger was sure to be waiting for her. Her body was draped silk, the highest quality one could buy in such a well known city. It was the color of sea glass, matching the young woman's intelligent eyes that seemed to be glimmering something fiercely this particular afternoon. Her back was straight as she walked, with her long chocolate curls bouncing with each step and sashay. Her body was slim, with ample bosom and hips, perfect for child bearing as her father enjoyed saying. Men admired her, women envied. She prayed to the Gods he was not inviting her from sort of ego-stroking. Her brothers forced most of that out of her, and she was in no mood for it. A couple of the Emperor's own slaves, two Gallic young men with shaved heads, opened the wide doors to allow her entry. She prayed for patience and guidance, but mostly she prayed that she would be able to keep tongue in check if this was over something ridiculous.