Horatia Justina

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Sara

About Horatia Justina

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Rome
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Reunion

Started by Publius Horatius Justinus · July 4

March 77AD
It had been nearly two years since he'd lost his wife. Nearly a year and a half since he'd taken the Quaestorship in Achaea. He'd always been more of a military man than a political one, but suddenly Rome had become claustrophobic, and he needed to get away. Was it fate, fortune or his own nature that drew him back to Achaea, where he'd first met Lucia and fallen for her. It wasn't fashionable to be so in love with your wife, but if anyone understood it was his friend Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus, whom he'd also met in Achaea, and who had ended up marrying his sister Horatia, and truly becoming a brother-in-law. And one in spirit, Publius had thought. Achaea had been the gateway to his truly stepping into adult life, to finding purpose and fulfillment, so perhaps it was natural that he'd been drawn back there.
This time had been different. This time he had a family. He'd ensured that his children had arrangements for their proper education and socialisation, then thrown himself into his work, finding ways to work with the local military commander despite his being there in a political role. His son had taken his toga in Achaea, much to his pride, but even that had felt a little hollow; Spurius's mother had not been there to see it. He'd hired a local woman, Agape, to maintain his household, and ended up taking her to his bed, out of simple needs than any great desire for her particularly. And she had comforted him. But the revelation of her pregnancy had thrown that slightly hollow contentment out of the window. He'd toyed briefly with the idea of marrying her, but discarded it as not appropriate for his family. His children needed a proper mother figure of the right class and breeding, and much as he wanted more children, to claim Agape's child would be to somehow reduce all that he and Lucia had in their children. The boy's birth had brought the hard realisation that he needed to do the right thing and return to Rome. He'd made arrangements for Agape and her son. They had a home and would receive a peculium, part of which was to be put towards Agapios's education. He would not live in poverty.
Now they were back, and having settled into his father's domus once more - to the quiet pleasure of the pater familias, Publius suspected - his first port of call was to visit his sister Horatia, the sibling with whom he'd always been closest, and his friend Aulus, if he was in. He'd sent word of their intended visit of course, and brought his children. Spurius was of an age with Titus and Lucia Justinia was only two years younger than Calpurnia Horatia; the cousins had previously been close. And it made sense for them to reconnect with family as well. So as they approached, Publius and Spurius in their togas and Lucia in her finest chiton and palla. A slave knocked on the door of the familiar domus.
@Sara
Family Business

Started by Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus · June 26

There was something that Aulus had been considering for a while now, but it would be unfair of him to put it off for any longer, especially as it was not about him, but involved someone close to him. It didn't involved his wife, either, at least not directly - but they had always discussed things with one another and this was no time to go changing that. He had long ago come to the conclusion that they were a highly unusual couple among all the married people of their status, but he was absolutely fine with that and saw no reason whatsoever to go changing that now.
His wife was taking advantage of the shade and slight breeze in the garden, and was there with a slave and their newest son. His expression softened at seeing the child and he held his arms out to the nurse so that he could take him, not wanting to miss out on the experience of being a father so early as he had with his daughter.
"I came to - Well, to be honest, I'm not sure whether I came to ask for your opinion, your advice or your forgiveness," he told Horatia before looking down at Quintus. "Who's a clever boy, Quintus? Yes, yes, you are!"

@Sara
Woe the nights

Started by Horatia Justina · May 1

April, 77AD
Three months after Quintus was born and Horatia was feeling more like herself. Of course, even in a domus as large as theirs the fact that their new child didn't grasp the concept of sleep was inescapable and she stifled a yawn on the back of her hand as she sat with the boy in the gardens. The spring sun was warm and mottled the grass beneath the blanket on which the gurgling infant was laying, Horatia sat alongside him.
They had adapted to a new rhythm fairly regularly in the house; her elder children were keenly aware of their newest sibling but let him be for the most part, tended to by his wet-nurse, nurse maid and mother whilst they busied themselves with teenage pursuits. Aulus was as doting as she could remember from Titus' infancy, but he was busy as always which left Horatia and their newest addition alone more often than not. Not that she complained. And not that she was truly alone. A shadow blotted out the sun and she turned her face up, squinting with a familiar smile as she saw her company.
"I know we should be preserving our patrician, pristine white skin but with sun this beautiful, it seems a shame to sit in the shade." Although Quintus was led in his basket in the shadow of one of the trees. "Aulus has gone to the Temple of Juno," She said with an amused smile playing on her lips to her sister in law, "I imagine to make amends."

TAG: @Chevi
Best Endeavours

Started by Horatia Justina · March 3

November, 76AD
Villa of Secundus Quinctilius Varus, Tibur
Horatia was firmly ready to get out of the carriage by the time they finally drew to a stop outside of the complex that housed her sister, her husband and now her nephew. Now in her own six month of pregnancy, the journey was more trying than she remembered and with every jolt in the road or slide of the carriage in the mud, she winced, the pain in her back intensifying. It was dark now and she'd left before dawn, but she was here. Finally. Thank the Gods. Nobody was outside to greet her, which smarted her already frayed personality but she composed herself for a moment, neatening the stola she was wearing and wrapping the furs closer over her shoulder. Even in Italia, the November nights were hardly warm.
Hopefully this would be a quick coo over the baby, a small dinner and then to sleep, but as she stepped into the villa a deafening silence greeted her. She blinked, frowning in confusion. If not her sister herself, then she at least expected her brother-in-law or a helpful slave to show her through the labyrinthine corridors of the place, but nobody stirred. She cleared her throat and frowned at her own slave girl who scurried away hurriedly to find somebody. When she did appear, with a willowy older woman in tow, the woman was full of apologies. "Where is my sister? And your dominus?" Horatia asked without giving her the chance to explain. "The dominus is away, mistress. I-I'll show you to domina. She's with the baby."
She tried to imagine it, in her head, as she followed the woman through into the more private rooms of the villa; her sister the mother. She knew her sister had craved it, and she also knew how hard it had been for her. Their argument was still burned in her mind, as had the frosty tone of the scarce letters they'd exchanged since, but she was genuinely elated for her younger sibling. When she was led to a door and the slave gently knocked before pushing it open, despite her tiredness and her own condition and the tensity that had marred her relationship with Livia, Horatia had a wide, beaming smile on her face. "Livia!"

TAG: @Liv
Welcome Home

Started by Horatia Justina · February 21

Immediately following on from Juno, bless us, end of January 77AD
Horatia only had eyes for her son as the litter meandered its way back towards the domus. The evening was drawing in now, but she knew - despite her exhaustion - she needed to leave the sanctuary of the temple and go home. She had sipped her wine and fallen into a peaceful doze, her son curled on her chest whilst the priestesses and their slaves tidied around her.
And then tidied her. No woman, immediately after childbirth was going to look presentable and Horatia was no different. As the litter deposited her down outside of the domus (as close to the door as they reasonably could get her), she saw her slave rush out to greet her - thick cloak in hand. Horatia smiled at the thoughtfulness. The pale green tunica she had been wearing had been soaked in blood and so she had stripped after washing into a thin, scratchy tunica owned by the priestesses. The baby was merely cradled in a blanket. Her hair had been combed and was braided in one simple one down her back, but she didn't look herself; the woman with not a hair out of place usually and nor should she. She let the girl cover her shoulders and her son in the cloak and then with support from the litter bearers, made her way slowly (very slowly) through the door into the domus.
She breathed in deeply and as the door clunked shut behind her, she felt herself relax - the tension and panic of the preceding few hours washing out of her by the serenity of her home. She didn't know if Calpurnia or Aulus were in, or her children but the place was oddly quiet. Until she heard footfalls from the direction of the tablinum. She raised a hand pre-emptively, or her spare one anyway given the other was holding the child to her chest; "I'm fine, I'm fine." She breathed and tried to look reassuring but she winced as she walked and offered her husband a weak smile. "The...temple was more eventful than I thought it would be." She cleared her throat. This wasn't proper...but...Aulus had waited the nine days for Titus...and close to six years with Calpurnia..."Your son." She pulled back the folds of the cloak very gently so she could see the dozing, tiny baby against her chest.

TAG: @Sharpie
To Lucius Cassius Longinus & Metella

Started by Horatia Justina · February 21

The letters were delivered by a polite, neat looking slave 12 days after the birth of Horatia's second son.
Greetings Lucius,
I thank you for the gifts you sent on the birth of our new son, although I have to admit a training sword at his age was a…unique choice.
I’m sure Aulus will be delighted to show off his new son, if you are available for a dinner after the next ides. Send word and I will arrange it.
I must admit an ulterior motive with this letter, however. I wish to express my gratitude to your girl Metella. I’m unsure if she told you of her part in my child's birth herself, or whether I have the honour of doing it but she was invaluable, and could have very well saved my life. I owe her more than words can express, or money. I am not sure if she can read, but I have enclosed a small note to her. Please pass this on, and the box that should have been delivered with this letter. Both are for her - or if she cannot read, please pass it to a close acquaintance of hers that can. I trust you will respect that the note and the gift are for her alone, and not your property for all intents and purposes.
Horatia Justina.
Alongside the note for Longinus was a neatly folded letter for Metella and a box. Within it she would find an ornate gold bracelet, of significant value and two painted wooden rattles, one worn and used and the other brand new.
Metella,
I hope this letter finds you well and you have suitably recovered from the turmoil at the temple. I have, mercifully, and feel fine. I have you to thank for that. My son is thriving also, and is perfect. Again, with thanks to your skills, wit and fortitude.
I know no gift can express my thanks accurately but I hope what I have sent shows my gratitude. I know one of the gifts is not practical for your station, but I did not intend for you to wear it (unless you choose to, at Saturnalia perhaps?), but its value as a gift lies in its worth. Keep it, or sell it and then spend it or save it, but it is yours. Cassius Longinus might be generous but I trust this will boost your savings should you choose. The other gifts are for your child. I didn't know if it was odd to presume you would care for a toy that was used by my eldest son - the son of a Consul, but I wanted your child to know they have a connection to myself and my family. The new one is for if you do not care for the former. I take no offence, either way. The last gift is one I could not put into a box. As I said that day, I owe you my life - as much as you may disagree. I owe you - and I wish for you to know that. Should you need anything, my door is open to you. Anything.
Be well.
Horatia Justina, wife of Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus, daughter of Marcus Horatius Justinus.

TAG: @Chevi
Juno, bless us

Started by Metella · February 20

End of January, 77AD
It was almost as if she had stepped out of the heart of Rome, with its hustle and bustle, and back to an older time, when this northern part of the Esquiline had still been covered in lush greenery. The sacred grove of Juno Lucina, now surrounded by a wall and crowned with a temple, reminded Metella of the forests of her own homeland. It made her feel more peaceful. Which was a sacred achievement in and of itself, because she had not been calm for days. Ever since she'd found out she was pregnant.
She was not showing yet, but she still placed a hand on her belly as she looked around. The path led through the grove up a light slope to the temple. There was thick greenery all around; trees, flowers, bushes, only kept in check enough to allow a path through. There was birdsong, and the tickling of water somewhere nearby. Here and there, hidden along the path, were simple wooden benches. It made sense, given how many easily winded pregnant women probably visited this place.
Right now, there was no one in sight, but Metella could only see the next few steps of the path. Holding a basket in one hand, she started forward. She had some serious praying to do.
@Sara
A pregnant woman walks into a house of virgins

Started by Calpurnia Praetextata · February 4

July, 61 AD
Calpurnia was excited to meet her sister-in-law for the very first time. She had gotten a letter from her brother a few weeks before about their impending return to Rome, with the good news of the new bride already being with child. Having a family of her own was a far-off concept and a vague possibility at best for Calpurnia, and thus she was fully prepared to dote on her nephews and nieces in the future. She just hoped that the new sister-in-law was someone she would get along with.
The tall woman hurried along the hallway of the Vestal House to the room where they entertained guests. A servant had told her earlier that Horatia had arrived, and they had shown her in. Calpurnia was wearing the traditional white clothes of a Vestal, but her face was flushed with excitement. Now she'd get to see if her brother had chosen well...
"Salve" she smiled politely as she entered the room. "You must be my sister-in-law."
@Sara
The birth of something wonderful

Started by Aulus Calpurnius Praetextatus · February 2

August 61AD
It had been nine days since the birth of his son. Nine days since he'd spent half the day pacing the atrium - to the lararium, turn, back to the tablinum, turn...
Of course he hadn't set eyes on his son in those intervening days. They'd needed to be sure he'd live, and it was bad luck (or something) for the father to see the child before the formal presentation. He adjusted the green tunic he was wearing, and then the brooch that fastened his pallium at his shoulder. The brooch had been a gift from his wife, a sturdy masculine thing with a carnelian carved with the head of Minerva. He chose it the most frequently of all the various fibulae he owned, touched by the thoughtfulness of the gift.
Eventually he became aware of the slave waiting to draw his attention.
"Domine, everything is ready...?"
He nodded. "Let your mistress know."
The slave nodded and retreated and Aulus made his way to the atrium to wait for his wife, refusing to give in to the urge to begin pacing again until she appeared.

@Sara
Reflection

Started by Horatia Sosia · January 17

October, 76AD
She had been in Rome a few months now and only had a brief encounter with her cousins when they first came to Rome. She really should spend more time with them, her brother said so too. Especially since she knew so few people in Rome. Plus, her cousin Horatia would be a good relationship to cultivate, because her husband was one of the current Consuls of Rome. So a date had been decided and Sosia was placed in a litter and sent across Rome to meet with Horatia Justina. It didn’t take too long though and a slave gave her his hand to help her out of the litter. She thanked him gently and reached to pick up a small package, a present for her cousin.
Dressed in a light yellow chiton, with a light purple chiton and with purple flowers stuck into her hair, as she liked it, she entered the beautiful home of Horatia and Aulus and waited patiently in the atrium for her lovely cousin to appear. Everything seemed so calm and nice here, she thought. As if the home was bathed in a soft and soothing light. Her cousin had been lucky to marry such a good and ambitious man. She only hoped she could do the same one day.
@Sara