Decimus Rutilius Atellus
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Sains
About Decimus Rutilius Atellus
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Praetorian
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Allen Leech
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Location
Rome
Recent Posts
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Decimus would raise his head to kiss her in return and then rise to follow her over to their bed. She was right of course, but if he were released he knew that he could do nothing to stop himself. He would kill again, or worse, and then they'd have to live on with this man wandering the streets with no end in sight. That is of course if he were let go. He wouldn't be let go. He couldn't be let go. It was unthinkable that that were even an option that was still writhing about above their heads like some unseen serpent. Doubt and uncertainty were the order of the day, but he could only hope that some sleep might clear his head. Hopefully news would come in the next few days.
"Well if they'd let off an unproven murderer then I'd hope they'd at least give an honorable murderer a second chance... Hope we don't find out."
With that he lay down beside her, resting his hand on her stomach to calm himself. She was here, she was alive, and that was good enough for him.
@Chevi
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Decimus did his best to relax. He lifted the simple leather breastplate from about his body, once Aia had finished unclasping it, and set it beneath their table for the moment. It was hard, this. He couldn't tell her for certain that he would die at the hands of the state, and she knew that.
"He won't get away. Not while I'm alive. I'll kill him in that cell if they mean to let him go." he'd proclaim under his breath.
Of course that would mean potentially throwing his life away and being sent to the brig himself, but it would be worth it for the revenge. Or at least he thought. Deep down he knew that he wouldn't enjoy it as much as the rage deep inside of him tried to convince him it would.
"And then we'll run to Spain and pick grapes for the rest of our lives." he'd say while turning to face Aia with a short-lived smile. It was an outlandish idea, but the need to lighten the mood was there.
@Chevi
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An amused snort was all he could offer as she tried to reassure him. As exhausted as he was he still felt an ember of rage smoldering away in the pit of his stomach. He was angry. He was angry; not only at the man who'd struck this new wound upon his wife, but at himself for being absent when she'd needed him most. She lived, and he had only the gods to thank for that, but he could hardly begin to imagine what he would have done if she'd died on the cobbles below the insula.
It was almost more than he could take to see her limp over just to fiddle with the stupid clasps on his idiotic costume. Here he was draped in all of the kit that showed others how stolid and dependable he was in the face of adversity, and yet here he was with a wounded wife and not even the man's head to show for it. He wouldn't break down now; not while she labored on through it all. Bringing a rough hand over hers he uttered a reassurance that was as much meant for his own peace of mind as it was for Aia's.
"He will die."
He said nothing more and only looked over his shoulder in hopes that he would see that she agreed. Even if she feigned it, he wouldn't mind.
@Chevi
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Quite the night, indeed. Decimus had spent most of it moving about the city informing those who needed to know. He'd told the commander of the guard, he'd stopped on the way to inform the bloody vigiles, and he would have been sent on to the various gates if his centurion hadn't pitied him. All the while his thoughts were of home, of course, because his wife had been shivved by only the most dangerous man in the city. If things carried on like this he wouldn't have to worry about getting home at night for the stress would claim him.
"Everyone has been informed of everything that could be said about anything."
The alliterated response probably did much to present just how tired he was of the whole mess. Happily he moved to sit in a chair just opposite of the bed in hopes that he might clear his mind and finally get down to talking about this mess with the one who mattered most.
"We'll hear more as the week goes. How's the wound?"
@Chevi
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For a moment, Decimus thought about being a fool and raising his own voice, and he might well have done if Jason hadn't already decided to vocalize why they had come before the Imperial. As far as any would be concerned, it would probably be a fairly easy case to prove. There were eye witnesses to him making an attack upon innocent people at the very least, and though it would be nearly impossible to conclusively prove that the man had committed the murders without a confession, the word of several trusted citizens would help to ensure his death. But if it were only their cries for justice then the man might simply get away with a quick death that satisfied no one. Tiberius, hopefully, could ensure that the man died in some unique and excruciating way that the entire empire could hear of.
But he assumed that the young master would grasp that soon enough between the points raised by Roscianus and Jason. For his part he simply needed to stand and watch, much like Alexius. Honestly his night was probably not over by a longshot. The Castra would need to be informed, and he doubted the louts at the Tullianum would take the time out of their night. They were probably just surprised they'd had to rise from their seats for five minutes to take the man of their hands...
@Sarah@Chevi@Sharpie@Atrice
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And there he was. Tiberius looked about as pleased to see them as they were to be here, but at least it seemed he was willing to hear them out. Years of drill and protocol had taught Decimus better than to speak to a superior, especially an Imperial, before he was spoken to and he was happy that Roscianus was taking the lead in talking to the prince. If Tiberius had any questions, they would be answered, but that's all they could really do. There was no real point in butting in and possibly mucking up the story as someone else told it. At any rate he saw himself as the conduit by which any information intended for the prefect of the guard would travel. He doubted that anything grandiose like martial law or the rounding up of citizens would happen though, they'd already caught the bloody fool anyways.
And so, with little to do otherwise, Decimus stood to attention and listened to Roscianus and Tiberius.
@Sarah@Chevi@Sharpie@Atrice
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Decimus hardly knew what to expect as this slave, Jason as he was called, led them to the home of his master. If it were some rich nobleman who didn't have much stake in a murder occurring in the city then it was surely a waste of time. They'd be lucky if dogs weren't let loose on them for waking him at such an hour. It was only after they'd been informed that his master was the imperial boy 'Tiberius' that Decimus began to feel quite awkward about the entire situation. It was known to everyone, including those within the group, that they hardly looked like anyone that should be within ten miles of an imperial prince. Jason had a fairly good excuse as he was apparently Tiberius's property, but the rest of them were ragged to say the least. Roscianus was bleeding like a stuck pig and Alexius was... well... Alexius. It honestly wasn't that Decimus thought the former Gladiator was poorly or any worse off than he in terms of appearance, but he honestly thought the boy might be scared of such an imposing man. The man was built like an oak and had scars tracing up and down his body for gods sake. For his own part the symbolic toga that he wore to the palace was now dotted with splatters and blotches of dried blood from dragging that horrible man about. The stripe that would identify him as a member of the guard was the only thing that gave him some confidence that their story would be believed when Tiberius finally decided to roll out of bed.
He'd known of Tiberius for some time, seen him a bit around the palace. It wasn't regular and he'd never spoken to the boy, but he seemed like he had a good enough head on his shoulders. He'd never heard anyone speaking badly of the man at least. Hopefully their first meeting wouldn't result in a lashing when he got back to the Castra. It was well known that the upper crust didn't enjoy getting up at the behest of others.
@Sarah@Atrice@Chevi@Sharpie
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Between holding up their murderer and looking towards the door, Decimus had hardly seen the young Ovinia make her move on Barbatius before it was far too late to act. He thought of dropping the man when he saw she'd gotten ahold of a knife, but all of his focus turned to the dark haired boy who'd been mostly silent throughout their unfortunate meeting. Without grabbing the blade, Decimus did his best to push away Azarion's arm with his free hand, though he could tell that if he'd truly wanted to gut their murderer he'd have done it. Despite the chaos and the wounding of Lucius, Decimus knew that the very best thing to do would be to get Barbatius out of the room before tempers flared in an even more violent fashion. Thankfully Alexius was more than enough help to get the scum out of the door.
"I'll be back when he's taken. Stay strong."
The words were not exactly inspiring, but he knew Aia could take care of herself. It was the absolute state of the people now in their apartment that frightened him more than anything. Hopefully they'd disperse after they realized not much else was going to happen in the way of this killer until the morning.
"Thank you, Alexius. I know you want him dead. It'll happen."
He knew his assurances might not mean much to the man who'd ended up with the frustrating task of dragging their dark haired terror off to the dungeons, but he hoped their differing of opinion wouldn't begin a larger rift between them as time went on.
@Atrice@Chevi@Sharpie@Sara
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Decimus was happy enough to roll his eyes at the impudent brunette. It was a comfort to know that she would be very comfortable having a man dismembered on the floor of her home; he'd have to remember that. Of course he should give her the benefit of the doubt. It wasn't everyday that one was accosted in the streets especially by a knife wielding maniac. He let his eyes flick to each person as they raised their hands or kept them by their sides, not altogether surprised by many of their decisions. When it came time for Aia to raise her hand it was all he could do to give her a reaffirming squeeze on the shoulder and cast a look once more at the rest of the group. The decision had been made. He wouldn't say he was altogether thrilled at the outcome. It wasn't exactly a situation that a person was happy with at all. Still, he was happy enough to be able to bring this miserable night to a close.
"Bene; let's go then."
Leaving Aia's side he approached the man's body, bloodied and bound, and grabbed underneath his arm to take him out. Sure they could call and wait for some guard party to come on through, but he was just as happy to drag the man there himself to have it over and done with. Rather expectantly, he waited to see who would help him carry the bastard.
@Sara@Chevi@Sharpie@Atrice
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Decimus listened closely to Ovinia's outburst. The fact that she'd decided to speak so earnestly about what she'd do with him was no great surprise. Had he been tehre when Aia was wounded there was absolutely no doubt in his mind that he would have slain the man immediately, but the fact of the matter still remained that he lay bound and bloodied on their floor. While it didn't mean that the scum was harmless, it did allow for them to provide people with something that rarely seemed to happen in their daily lives. It would have been a bold faced lie to say that murders didn't happen all of the time in the Empire. Men were accosted on the roads, women and children stolen and sold into slavery. More often than not nothing was done to rectify these crimes or provide closure to those who'd been hurt. One could see why the law might be difficult to enforce on a band of fast moving highwaymen, but they had their man right here. They had every shred of evidence they could ever need. Some of the people in their presence had the ear of Caesar or those around him. When the people learned of his crimes, and particularly of his guilt in the murder of a senator of Rome, there was no doubt in his mind that Caesar would make his death an excruciating public display which would be well deserved. But he was no fool. He understood the fears of Aia and Ovinia and the others who spoke about finishing the job themselves. The state was not always reliable. Even still, the odds that this man was playing against seemed insurmountable to say the least. If they needed to vote, his opinion would be known.
"Once we make it known to Caesar and the people that this man has been responsible for it all, he won't have a chance at absolution. I don't pretend to know what will be done with him, but he will die in a gruesome and public way. The families of his victims will be satisfied in knowing who he is, and if that's not enough they'll see him shamed and torn limb from limb for all of the city to see. If the group thinks, however, that he should be tortured and thrown into the river, then I ask it not be done in this place."
@Sara@Atrice@Sharpie@Chevi
Topics I Participated In
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Wounds and ethics
Started by Aia ·
February 77AD (after The Night Shift)
Aia was asleep by the time Decimus returned in the morning. It had been quite the long night, compounded with blood loss, so once everyone had gone home, she made her way to bed and fell into a deep sleep. Not so deep, however, that she would't wake up at the sound of the door opening. Old reflexes died hard. She rolled over, seeing Decimus enter, still in the outfid he'd come home in the night before, only to find a whole lot of strangers in their old apartment, a murderer, and Aia being stitched up by the medicus.
Yep. Quite the night.
Her wound still hurt, and Aia frowned as she sat up. Her hair was a sleepy mess, and she rand a hand through it as she blinked at Decimus. She was honestly relieved he was home. "Everything went alright?"
@Sains
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The night shift
Started by Lucius Manius Victorius Roscianus ·
February 77AD (Right after Judge and Jury)
The four of them - Alexius, Decimus, Jason, and Lucius - managed to deposit the killer at the Tabularium without further trouble. If he tried to struggle, one of them was always more than happy to punch him in the stomach, and seeing a praetorian and a vigile bring the man in, he was soon secured in a cell he wouldn't get out of. They all wanted to make damn sure of that. It was the early hours of the morning by now, but the task was not yet over. Following Jason, they all headed to Tiberius' domus, to report the news of the capture to the young imperial.
Technically, the killer was in the hands of the judges now. But to make sure he would not wriggle out of his fate, they all wanted to personally tell an imperial just how much this man needed to suffer before he died.
"We'll wait while you wake him up" Lucius told Jason. The bandage on his arm was bleeding through (although more slowly now) and he felt more tired than ever. He just hoped Tiberius wouldn't be furious for being woken up at this early hour. He imagined they looked like quite the strange collection of people.
@Atrice @Sarah @Sharpie @Sains
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Judge and Jury
Started by Aia ·
77 AD
(Right after Whoever brings the night)
Aia was sitting on a chair in the apartment she and Decimus had only recently vacated. No one had moved into it yet, so it was mostly empty. And thus, and excellent place to stash the piece of shit they had just apprehended. While Aia would not have minded just stabbing him right in the alley, Alexius claimed he didn't deserve that. He deserved worse. She liked that idea.
It seemed that a whole lot of people had a bone to pick with this man. Everyone ran everywhere, carrying to news, leaving Aia to get patched up by Theodorus while the two of them waited for the rest to return. Aia had her largest kitchen knife at hand, just in case. And Theo was there to make sure she didn't just stab the man anyway.
Aia frowned, drinking from a cup of unwatered wine as Theo bandaged her wound. It was deep, but not serious; he stitched her up, which hurt like a bitch, and put her in a foul mood. The man on the ground was still unconscious, although he groaned sometimes. Alexius had done a thorough job tying him up like a prize hog, and Theo had helped gag him in case he woke up. He was not going anywhere anytime soon. Or maybe ever.
@Sharpie @Atrice @Sara@Sains
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Renovations
Started by Aia ·
February 77 CE
Aia surveyed the empty room with hands on her hips. This apartment was only slightly bigger than the one they had been living in (inside the same insula), but it definitely looked to be in better condition. Or it would be, once it had gotten some renovations done. Mainly, painting.
Decimus and Aia had been living together at the insula for almost a year now (whenever Decimus was not staying at the Castra, that is). It was lovely, being together, surrounded by (mostly) friendly neighbors. But now that the opportunity arose to switch to a better apartment, they decided to take it. Moving up in the world, one small step at a time. Some of the neighbors made comments about starting a family, but Aia did not pay them much heed.
The walls of the new apartment were... not in the best condition. The paint was faded and chipped, and the previous owner apparently had a side business as a prostitute, with appropriate yet crude illustrations on one wall, drawn in chalk. Aia tilted her head, trying to make sense of some of them. They would be gone soon; she had the brushes and the whitewash and the paint to cover it all up. And then maybe decorate the walls with something better. Aia had no artistic training or talent whatsoever. But it was bound to be fun to try...
@Sains
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The art of punching
Started by Lucius Manius Victorius Roscianus ·
Late October, 76AD
Lucius walked into the Castra with a bit of hesitation. He had passed the building many times, being close to his own family's domus, but this was the first time he had ever been inside. He did so by Longinus' suggestion. Whether he was going to join the legions, or the vigiles, he needed to have some sort of a fighting experience - and who better to learn from than a trusted veteran of the legions, who currently served as praetorian? The guards at the door pointed him out, and Lucius walked into the courtyard where training happened, trying to look confident. He had always been at ease around all sorts of people, but the soldiers put him on edge. He walked up to the young man who, hopefully, had been notified of his impending visit.
"Decimus Rutilius Atellus?" he asked with a friendly smile, masking his hesitation.
@Sains
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A Noble Escape
Started by Decimus Rutilius Atellus ·
76 CE
Late July
In the seemingly endless din of parties and street traffic that ruled the eternal city it appeared as though Fortuna would grant one night in the dog days of the year that one could manage to hear their own thoughts. There didn't seem to be any apparent reason for this sudden cease in the overall commotion; perhaps everyone had just grown tired of the whole thing. It wasn't as if it would last, of course, but as the lone guardsman loosened up with a mug of mead he couldn't help but wonder about the nature of the nobleman's note. Longinus had asked him to meet at this tavern through a slave, but it hardly seemed to Decimus that there were any reason for him to want to hang out in a tavern laden with Rome's lower orders. Even though they were old friends he couldn't help but wonder what would make spending a night with him seem more appealing than hearing about the latest gossip that was passed around the dinner tables of Rome's wealthiest circles.
The light outside of the tavern had grown scarcer and scarcer in the hour since he'd arrived, and with the darkness came the warmth of the newly lit candles that would help carry on the regular patron's habits till they'd had their fill. Decimus was no great thinker, and he'd never claim to be, but in the back of his mind he'd always wondered how fulfilling a life of luxury could be. He wouldn't say that money was useless, and he certainly hoped to end his life with more of it than he'd started with, but the thought of enduring conversations about fashion, laws, and land-use seemed mind-bogglingly dull to him. Maybe it was something one only truly came to enjoy when they had wealth. Either way, he was sure that he would hear Longinus's views on the subject tonight. It was either that or they'd talk about Britannia. He certainly couldn't blame the man for talking about it either. Britannia was probably the most excitement that either of them would see in their lives, save for if the drums of war truly started beating again.
Becoming Praetorian had left little room for the thought of ever visiting the front in any long term capacity. The new Augustus didn't seem all that interested in beginning a new campaign, but that observation only came from the limited time he'd spent in the man's presence. Perhaps Longinus would know something that he did not. Either way, he was perfectly content to wait for the man at the small booth he'd snagged for the night.
@Sara
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Early 76CE
The insula was definitely not as fancy a living space as a villa, but it was a step up from a military camp, and a lot less awkward than the Castra. After long months of meeting at taverns and hidden places, Aia and Decimus finally concluded that they needed their own place inside the city, even if neither of them could permanently move in just yet. Eventually, they would have a house. At least, Aia had her eyes set on a house now that she was to be a proper Roman wife. But for now, and insula apartment would have to do. And they found one for rent, in a place that was not horribly suspect.
Honestly they did not have a lot of stuff to move in. But Decimus had a day off from his praetorian duties, so Aia was excited to spend it together, exploring their new apartment. And hopefully making it more comfortable. Maybe breaking in the bed. Who knew.
The two of them stood at the bottom of the stairs of the building; Aia was carrying a basket of some pots and utensils and food, while she had passed on a larger bundle of bedding and cleaning supplies to Decimus. People were coming and going. Some of those people were likely their future neighbors.
"Well... let's see what it's like on the inside, shall we?"
@Sains @Atrice
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See This One Shine
Started by Marcus Barbatius ·
Early November, 75 AD
Today was just yet another ordinary day in the life of Marcus Barbatius, one of countless professional barbers in Rome. Some just had their shops in the street, but Marcus had his very own shop and insula just above it. Quite a nice insula too. One bedroom for himself, another for all the slaves, a small cooking area, a tablinum and a triclinium. And a few spare rooms for storage and other things. Then there was the shop. Large enough to hold a chair for clients in the middle of the room and shelves and tables and many little pots and flasks with salves and oils and everything else he needed for the business.
And then the box with all the knives and razors in it. The key hung steadily around his neck and Aculia would have to ask, if she needed a knife to cook with. He once had a slave cut his own throat, which he had absolutely no right to, so Marcus had to keep the knives locked up at all times, so it would not happen again. The slaves were his property. They had no right to take their own lives while he was their master.
But luckily, that was already years ago and life went on. Even with what he did recently, to that girl. Yet that was also in the past now and all he had was the lingering memory of her and her blood. He was thinking about that when he opened the shop this morning, which put him in a good mood and he was even whistling when he opened the door.
His head slave or favorite slave, Manus, was already busy getting the shop ready for the first client. Now all they had to do was wait for someone to walk in the door.
@Sains
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All Patched Up [M]
Started by Sains ·
Decimus watched with relief as the young man finally left the tavern to seek entertainment elsewhere. In truth it was a godsend, he'd hate to sit at the bar for a few more hours while the love of his life was a few meters away. As soon as the last trace of the boy's fine garb drifted through the threshold back out onto the street, Decimus stepped from the bar with mug in hand to finally reunite himself with the love he'd not seen for damn near a month.
He wasn't too showy about it, strolling rather casually over to the table and pausing to look about for a moment before setting himself down in the seat once occupied by that nobleman.
"Hope you don't mind if I sit." he'd say, giving her a coy smile as he pulled another swig from his mug. "Who was that anyways? You got friends in high places now?"
Of course he knew it could have been anyone that lived in the house of Flavia, though he couldn't begin to guess who he might have actually been. It was either that or she was mixing and mingling with nobles on the side, and Aia hardly seemed the type to truly enjoy that sort of company regularly.
@Chevi
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What are the odds
Started by Chevi ·
Back in the forests of Britannia, in the middle of Rome's latest conquest, in falling snow and frozen dirt, never in a million years would have Aius imagined living in Rome one day. Sure, she had dreamed of visiting many times, and listened to the stories of soldiers who were born there or had been there, but back then, for the merchant's daughter - turned - interprex those dreams seemed too far fetched to come true any time soon. Occupied with the immediate issue of survival without being discovered, she did not exactly have much time to contemplate her future.
Until she was discovered.
And now, by some strange and mysterious will of the gods, she was not only in Rome, but as a woman - walking the hallways of the beating heart of the greatest empire in the world. Aius, former auxiliary Interprex Britannorum, tutor to the children of an imperial household, walking in a palace. Allowed to walk inside a palace.
Being completely bloody lost.
Flavia Juliana traveled to the city, taking her entourage with her, for some kind of a family visit. At first, Aia did not even thing that she was included in that plan, but then suddenly she found herself traveling along, and before she had the time to gape, they were already at the Palatine. She was housed with the other servants of the family in a small room, and yet, small room aside, she was in a palace. Jupiter's balls, the change of scenery was making her head spin.
Once things settled down for the evening, she decided to take a short walk to clear her head. Many parts of the palace were off limits to people like her, including the gardens, but she figured just pacing a corridor before she went back to bed would not be too suspicious. She felt jittery, both from excitement and from nerves. Wearing a woman's dress, she felt more exposed than she had on scouting missions, even though she was inside one of the most secure buildings in Rome. Maybe it was because of all of that that she turned a corner one too many while pacing. And now, she was turned around.
Aia huffed in frustration as she once again turned a corner to an unfamiliar corridor, and kicked the corner of the wall.
"Dammit to Tartarus..."
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