Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus

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Sharpie

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Sam Hazeldine
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Sam Hazeldine
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status quo ante bellum

Started by Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus · October 11

(Takes place in the evening of Ave Imperator! and Into the lion's den)
Aulus returned to his home feeling far more light-hearted than when he had left it that morning. He had almost not needed to head to the Castra Praetoria, not with Caesar's reassurance ringing in his ears, but some part of him had needed to meet the man who had unnerved his wife and threatened his children and slaves. After that meeting, he had no compunction whatsoever about leaving him to Caesar to deal with. He was still none the wiser as to why he had turned on Aulus' family, but the threat had gone and it felt as if a sweet breeze had blown through the house.
One of the house slaves offered him a cup of wine and, when questioned, the information that the mistress was in her own private study. Aulus dismissed the boy and turned to find Horatia.
He paused quietly at the door of her room, not wishing to disturb her if she was in the middle of something that could not easily be set aside. He smiled, the fond expression coming easily to his face as he watched her before knocking, the private pattern used just between the two of them.

@Sara
(Title: The situation as it was before the war)
Raise your glass

Started by Titus Sulpicius Rufus · October 10

6th of October, 75 AD
Given the tragedy brought on by the earthquake only a few months earlier, Titus didn't quite feel right celebrating his birthday with huge festivities or partying from dusk to dawn - besides, this was no milestone year, just the passage of time signalling that he had officially grown older. The previous day - the actual day of - had been spent with family, featuring a relaxed and pleasurable evening with far too much food including Betua's mouthwateringly good placenta cake, and only a tiny hiccough when Valeriana loudly and vehemently expressed how unfair it was that she received no gifts, skilfully ignoring the fact that it wasn't her birthday for that to happen.
Tonight's celebration was simple as well, though less child-friendly. Going out for drinks with friends was also very agreeable, even more so when they had a decent-sized chamber and an own dedicated servant all to themselves. Drinking alone was no fun, though, even when it was Falernian and Caecuban, and Titus busied himself with deciphering the multitude of humorous scrawls on the walls and snacking on bread and olives before the others arrived - his stomach would thank him later.
@Echo @Sara @Sharpie
Feel free to ignore posting order!
omnia vincit amor

Started by Sharpie · August 8

November 59 AD; Greece

The slave hadn't been very forthcoming when Aulus said that he was here to meet with his master, but had admitted him, at least. There seemed to be little reason to have admitted him because he was led past any areas of the house where either Marcus Horatius Justinus or his son Publius might reasonably be found, and taken to the garden. It was not the first time that Aulus had been admitted to the garden - he was a close enough friend of Publius' that he had been allowed access to a relatively private part of the house before.
He was not alone; there was someone sitting on one of the marble benches and Aulus stopped, unwilling to intrude further. And yet, as he began to make his apologies, he came to a stop, captivated by what he saw. He had met Publius' sister before, but she had not really caught his eye, among everyone else, with her hair done up in what must be the very latest style in Rome, and weighed down with jewellery, the very height of elegance. This simply-dressed woman was far more elegant in her simple clothing and with her hair artlessly done up.
"I beg your pardon, I had come to see Publius," he managed. "I am sorry to have disturbed you." He would offer to go, but remained frozen in place, utterly captivated.

@Sara
Does your mother know that you're out?

Started by Sharpie · July 12

(Just outside the Thermae Mercuari)
The Thermae Mercuari were not Aulus' usual baths, but they were close enough to his home in the Piscina Publica that he had not gone too far out of his way to visit them. A change of scenery was what he had needed and what he had got, and the massage he had received from one of the bath-house slaves had made him consider returning there in the future; the slave had managed to relieve a knot that only Felix had ever dealt with before, on rare occasions.
He had not expected to run into a vaguely familiar-looking redheaded woman who was obviously aiming for the women's section of the baths. He had certainly not intended to run into her literally and knock the things she was carrying out of her hands.
He stooped to collect up what he could.

@Chevi
To Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus

Started by Liv · June 21

Letter dated roughly a week after the earthquake.
Titus Sulpicius Rufus to his dearest friend Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus,
greetings.
Hope all is well with your domus and familia after the recent event. No casualties on our end of thing except for parts of the roof, a couple of trees and a bust I never liked.
To take our minds off all that's happened and because it's the right season for it, my brother and sister-in-law are travelling down to Neapolis for a while and inviting friends and family to join them for their beach parties. There will be entertainment not unlike that party you hosted a few months back, as well as more family-friendly activities. As you may remember my brother Quintus was consul in 72, and given your current aspirations (which I fully support), I took the liberty of assuming you might be interested in fostering that connection.
It goes without saying that this invitation extends to your lady wife and your lovely children. Mine are also coming, so they will not be left to their own devices.
We will be heading down on the 13th (I expect the Via Appia will be fully up and running again by then), and our good friend Longinus is coming with. He has been rather morose as of late, so I will be counting on you to help raise his spirits.
Farewell, my dear friend.

@Sharpie
A bright new day

Started by Sharpie · June 4

May 75AD, the morning after Next steps

Aulus had time between his breakfast and his first clients to speak with his wife's body slave. Her admission yesterday had been concerning, yet she had been in no condition for him to press for details. He hoped that the distance of a few hours from the event would have fortified her somewhat, so that she would be able to recount what had happened without the immediate rush of emotions that she had naturally had
He decided to have this conversation in the garden because summoning her to the tablinum would probably make her far more nervous than need be - she would already be nervous at receiving the summons from the master of the house.
He made sure he had a wax tablet to hand in case he needed to make any notes before sending a slave to fetch her.
"Callista. I hope you have recovered from your ordeal yesterday," he said when she appeared.
@Laria
Two can take on the world

Started by Sharpie · May 25

Aulus had dismissed Felix and Callista and spent a little while considering the situation, turning options over in his head, before coming to a decision. Gods knew whether it would be the right one or not, but it was one for better or worse. He opened the tablet up again, memorised the list of names that it held, and calmly erased the list with the blunt end of the stylus before standing.
He had been married for over a decade. He and Horatia had faced trials and troubles of all kinds, separately and together, and weathered them. Yet he could only recall once when Horatia had had that look on her face - the night he had taken Felix and slipped out into the madness ruling the streets of Rome, to try to get out of the city, leaving her with a young child who'd barely taken his first steps, and another growing inside her. They had not known that last then, but the knowledge or lack of it would have made no difference to what Aulus had needed to do.
His wife would be in the garden - it was her safe space in the house when she needed peace, calmness and to be alone.
He found her, sitting on the marble bench in the exedra overlooking the garden, sitting very still, her hands folded in her lap, and with a look on her face that tore at his heart.
"Horatia."

@Sara
Boys Night

Started by Sara · May 21

Nones of May 75AD
Longinus sat drumming his fingers against the rim of his wine cup, occasionally glancing at the door. What he enjoyed most, of course, about the Poppina Via Lata was the two-building scheme. The night would start here, in the building reserved for Rome's upper echelons before descending into the depravity with the plebs and the slaves next door. He took a sip and resumed his drumming, waiting for both Titus and Aulus, nerves eating into the pit of his stomach. Judging by the surprised reaction in their letters neither of them were none the wiser as to the true (at least initial) motivation behind the wedding which was a relief.
He'd carefully considered what he'd say and it largely centred on; not being sixteen anymore so knowing what he wanted; that he likes and admires Sestia; he's not getting much younger and needs a son, and well...it is him. Longinus was certainly never a man that could be considered entirely conventional. He did hope to brush the whole 'permission from her father' under the rug as much as possible, but his friends were astute men and would likely ask. He just hoped he'd come up with something convincing on the spot to explain it, because so far his mind was coming up decidedly empty.
His attention was caught by a shadow blocking his path and he glanced up from his thoughts to the face of his friend. A wide, beaming smile crossed his face as he embraced the man.

TAG: @Sharpie @Liv
To Titus Sulpicius Rufus, and to Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus

Started by Sara · May 21

Given it was by far not the usual way these sorts of things were done; there was no formal betrothal ceremony, no exchange of contracts, not even an inkling that such a thing was happening - really - Longinus felt it imperative that word got out on his own terms. But not to everybody. After a fairly frantic exchange with his mother, the man set down to put ink to papyri and drafted a series of letters. The first were for his cousins (the only other remaining Cassii-Longini) Lepidus and Cassia. Then came one to his old friend, and former mentee Silanus all the way in Greece - lightly alluding to the fact that he might well be visiting in person (there had to be some benefit to sailing all the way to Carthage, and a roundabout stop on the way back to see Lucius was a silver lining).
The final few were for his friends. Amongst those he composed two to his two closest friends. They were very similar (he was not a man to dally with correspondence any longer than necessary, and thus copied out most of the first letter into the second), albeit there were amusing differences in tone - far more jocular with Titus, and far more reserved with Aulus.
They were delivered to May the 4th, two days after the engagement by his Secretary who muttered and swore as he trekked over the city in the May sun.

To Titus Sulpicius Rufus from his friend, Lucius Cassius Longinus. Greetings!
I thought I'd drop you a note to a) enquire about how Attis is getting on, b) to inform you I'm getting married and c) ask if you are free for a drink next week?
I suspect your eagle eye will have picked out the second point as the most interesting (although I do wish to hear about Attis and whether he still has all his fingers), and I'm pleased to say that Sestia Vaticana and I are to marry on the 1st of June given it's auspicious date. I believe you know the lady in question - she only had positive things to say about you - which I have corrected, don't worry.
It'll be a small affair in the city, but obviously I would be delighted if Valeria and yourself save the date and make yourselves available.
I've also sent a very similar note to our good friend Aulus, and in said note have asked if he is free on the nones for a drink or two. As always, I expect you have no plans of any consequence, or no plans you cannot cancel to ensure you can come for a drink with a soon-to-be married man. We could slum it in the Poppina Via Lata?
Your friend,
Longinus.

TAG: @Liv

To Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus from his friend, Lucius Cassius Longinus. Greetings!
I'm writing for a dual purpose today, to a) ask if you are free for a drink next week? b) to inform you I'm getting married.
I suspect your eagle eye will have picked out the second point as the most interesting, and I'm pleased to say that Sestia Vaticana and I are to marry on the 1st of June given it's auspicious date. She mentioned yourself and Horatia met her at the Games not so long ago - I trust you approve?
It'll be a small affair in the city, but obviously I would be delighted if Horatia and yourself save the date and make yourselves available.
I've also sent a very similar note to our good friend Titus, and in said note have asked if he is free on the nones for a drink or two. We could slum it in the Poppina Via Lata?
Your friend,
Longinus.

TAG: @Sharpie
Into the lion's den

Started by Sharpie · May 15

75CE, the afternoon after Ave Imperator!

Aulus was not looking forward to this visit. Well, not entirely, anyway; there was part of him that was. The same part of him that thrived on the adrenaline of a battle, and the thrills and spills of the races. Usually, however, it was not his own life, or those of his family, that was at stake. (Well, with the exception of the battles - and even then, it would be a rash and foolhardy commander who allowed himself to get caught in the thick of the melee.)
His walk from the Palatine to the Castra Praetoria on the other side of the Quirinal was not a short one, but he took the journey at an easy unhurried pace, the sort of pace that allowed every Legion from Judea to Britannia to cover twenty-five miles in a day and still have breath to pitch camp at the end of their journey.
"I wish to see Tribune Cornasidius Sabinus," he informed the guard, as if he was expected, although he knew perfectly well that he was not.

@Lauren