Chevi

Melissa. Felix nodded with a smile. She seemed kind enough, and that put him more at ease. "Well, I am... looking for work." he cleared his throat. "I mean, I am not here to ask for a job or anything. But I am trying to figure out what work I would... like to do." Not better. "I was recently given my freedom." Might as well start with that; it was still fresh, and he was not sure what to do with it. "And now I can do anything I want, except, well, I have only ever done one thing." He shook his head. "Sorry, I'm rambling." @Atrice

"And this" Iophon declared with a flourish, standing on the steps of the Basilica Iulia, surrounded by a small group of people who were paying rapt attention "Is the very place where the ground opened up, with a terrible shake and a deafening crash" he waved his hand in an arch, as if painting the scene over the bustling forum, and the people trying to push their way past the group. "And suddenly, in the very heart of Rome, there was a yawning chasm that no earth, brick, mortar or stone could fill. Picture it. Five centuries ago, this very place, the glory of the City, marred by an open portal leading to Hades itself." Iophon had a flair for the dramatic. And he enjoyed holding the attention of people, whenever he was telling a story. Hopefully, they would pay him in the end. @Sara

"Am I, really?" he quirked an eyebrow at her. He wasn't. He loved being with her, and he adored anything she had to give. He kissed her on the forehead, before he gently turned her, running his fingers through her hair to help smooth it out. "I am twenty-four, by the way." @Sara

Alexius looked relieved. Happy. He had been released from some anxiety about telling her the truth. And that made her feel relieved too. He was still the same man. Calpurnia smiled as he kissed her. "Yes. The villa. I will looking into having it opened for the summer, maybe go spend some time alone there... You could visit. It's far enough from the city." @Atrice

No. He did not expect anything less from her. Lucius smiled, running his hand through his hair as he watched her get dressed. He wished she could stay. "Kalends of Ianuarius" he answered his question with a smirk. "But I'll just take Saturnalia as an early birthday present" he added, walking over to her to steal a kiss. @Sara

"Fine." He would have to suck it up, and try to make things happen. That was the job he signed up for, after all. "But tell them also that I'm not paying everyone for their advice. So if they have any, they have to go through you." And Titus could decide if he wanted to pay them or not. That was up to him. Lucius gave him a little smile. "We're done." For now. He was going to be the new goddamn Sisyphus before this was done. But he liked the challenge. "And Titus?... Thank you." He meant it. @Sara

"Done." Lucius nodded, without hesitation. Because he knew Titus was right, and because he finally saw a crack in his armor. He needed money, and he wanted to take care of his family. That was a start. "I'll pay you. But I can't pay you more than any of the other men of your rank. So, here's your choice: I make you my aide. Officially. Or I pay you out of my private money for your private counsel." He knew if the men ever found that out, neither of them would hear the end of it. Titus knew that too. But he probably hated the idea of serving Lucius as an aide just as much. "Or I look into raising pay for the entire centuria. Which will take time." Titus had probably been waiting for something like that long enough. But that was the most equal option for the men. Lucius wanted Titus to choose. And he was curious what he would say. @Sara

"I'd like a centurion who isn't a privileged shit who thinks he's done some great big noble sacrifice whilst rolling in gold, fucking some rich woman and going to parties with Senators." Lucius winced. He didn't want to, but he did. Titus knew his secret, or part of it anyway. A lesser man, a man that really wanted to hurt him, would have already used that against him. For all his anger and salt, Titus was actually not vindictive. That gave him hope. "Having some self-awareness might be nice. That's what I think you should do; try and understand that six months debasing yourself as a recruit only to then jump up the hierarchy like every other self-serving shit that's come before you, that might be nice. But it doesn't matter. You'll be Tribune in a year I'm sure, and me and my shit attitude, which is in no way caused by men like you, won't be your problem anymore." "I don't give a fuck about your attitude" Lucius stated, folding his arms. "Although a break would be nice, every once in a while. But you're still one of the best, whether you like it or not. And I am self-aware. That's why I'm asking you, if you haven't noticed. I will need your help if I'm going to do anything right around here. But here. I can make you a promise." He looked at Titus, making him know he meant it. "If I fuck this up beyond salvaging, then I will use the connections you hate so much. And I'll make sure the centurion following me is one you all think deserves it." @Sara

It's not true. Lucius felt the tension in his jaw. It was unfair. He did not see cowards in these men, and he was not here for a career, and he had absolutely no way to make Titus believe that. But it was unfair. To be accused. "No. I don't. I don't understand." he admitted, shaking his head. "And that is going to be a flaw I will always be aware of. But Titus... what do you want from me? Truly? Honestly?" He looked him in the eyes. "What is it that you think I should do? Leave? So you can spend the next ten years with shit centurions and shit tributes, grumbling about how they should be men that care about the job? Or daydreaming about how you'd do such a better job if anyone ever put up with your shit attitude and promoted you?" @Sara

The words were hard to hear - but it was harder to know Titus thought of him that way. Lucius, usually honest to a fault, hoped that at least some people would understand him. Undestand what he was trying to do, and the kind of man he way. For Titus to... not see that, that was hard to bear. "I am sorry to hear you say that" he said, more quietly. "I know you won't believe me, but this is not about a career. If I had that kind of ambition, I'd be a senator. But yes. I did accept this position." For better or worse. "And I hope to use it for good. I know, I know, call me a fucking idiot, you won't have to believe it until you see it. But Titus." He looked at the other man. "I know you. I know you are one of the best men here. And you deserve the position to lead. But six months here were enough to see that no one - including our centurion - was advancing by merit around here. Especially not you." Because Titus had a tendency of... alienating his superiors. To put it nicely. "I want better for the vigiles. But I had to start somewhere." @Sara

Lucius frowned. He had arguments he wanted to make - the previous centurion had been an asshole, and as an equite, he was always supposed to be an officer from the start. But looking at Titus, he knew arguing would get the opposite result from what he wanted. He pressed his lips together. "Yes. Continue." @Sara

Lucius sighed; his smile faltered. Being friends with his men and playing favorites was not a smart thing to do; but he and Titus had history. He would not be here without this man. It hurt him that Titus did not seem to approve of him. "I am not ordering you. But you know I value your opinion. I'm asking." @Sara

"Titus." Lucius nodded to him, calling him aside. He did not want to see him just walk away, as much as he already knew that his friend liked to stew in silence. If there was one man in this centuria whose advice he respected, it was him - so whatever he had to say, Lucius needed to hear it. He stepped into the portico of the courtyard alongside Titus. "Something tells me you have an opinion to share." He noted with a small smile. @Sara

Lucius laughed softly, enjoying holding her for a moment longer. "I am... not going to make you sing in public this year?" he ventured. Had it really been a year? It felt like a lifetime ago. He had some ideas of what he'd love to give her for her birthday... but those things were best left done, not spoken. He smiled, kissing her temple before he let go of her so she could continue getting dressed. "I don't know yet. But your high expectations are noted" he grinned. @Sara

Lucius had been with the vigiles long enough to know how things worked. Officers came and went. Most tried to do as little actual work as possible, and treated their men as if they were expendable. Because, as far as the Roman system went, they were. Lucius knew that some young guy showing up and trying to do better was going to be an uphill fight. But he had wagered his literal life and future on it. Titus looked like he did not approve. Which hurt, because Lucius respected him. "Are we dismissed yet or is he going to keep droning on?" "Excellent question, Gnaeus. I'll keep droning on" Lucius quipped, earning a mix of laughs and groans. He had also spent long enough time among the men to understand their language. Or so he hoped. "Look, everyone, we have two goals here, and I intend to honor both. One is to keep the people of Rome safe. The other is to keep everyone here safe. We are responsible for each other, and as of now, I am responsible for all of you. And I will aim to do my job well." He folded his arms. "The vigiles are important to me. The work we do, the people we help, this entire city, are important to me. I hope you'll learn to trust me. I intend to earn it." He looked over the men, with their mix of emotions on their faces. He sighed. That was enough in one go. "Dismissed." @Sara

"It will. And that's why we need to... I mean, I need to talk to you about something. Tell you something." Calpurnia let her hands drop from her hair; she could tell from his voice that this was something serious. Alexius was usually confident, but now he seemed... hesitant. "I did tell you that you're far from my first. I have very strong needs. I am aware of how it sounds and all. And I tried to ignore all of that, because of you. I really did. I don't want to disappoint you. Or to be unfair to you. I don't want you to think you're just another woman I desire. You're not." Calpurnia listened. She might have been inexperienced, but she was not naive. She had a good sense of what he was about to tell her, but she allowed him to find the words. "There have been others, for me... since our last time. It's been so long. With them, it has nothing to do with love. They're not you. I hope you understand. But I won't love you any less, if you don't." There was a pang of jealousy in Calpurnia's heart. There had been others. Since he'd known her... he'd been with other women, like he had just been with her. The pleasure and comfort of the past hour were still fresh in her memory; her mind wandered, imagining him with others. He said that had nothing to do with love. Calpurnia knew men said a lot of things. Many people would have called her naive and gullible for believing something like that, and blamed it on her being a former Vestal. Calpurnia was not naive. "You know... I've never been in love before" she said quietly, watching him. "I was never meant to. For the longest time, I was never meant to have any life outside of the temple. I could have stayed there if I wanted to. No one talked to me about love, or men, or marriage. But now... you are here. And you and me, this was never supposed to happen." She sighed, trying to gather her words. "What I am saying is... I know no rules for how to love someone. How to love you. So... it is up to me to decide that." She reached out, taking his hand in hers, and watching their fingers intertwine. "I love you. And this is a part of you. We have so little time together, such a small chance... it would be unfair, to demand things of you that do not make sense." @Atrice

Calpunia smoothed down her dress and re-tied her belt, before she got to work on fixing her hair, letting it down before she could pin it up again. Thank the gods, she had chosen an easy hairstyle this morning. She glanced at Alexius as he listed his worries. They were all valid. "It's hard waiting for so long to be with you. And to never know when it'll happen again." She stilled, looking at him. Calpurnia was an observant woman; she knew he had something more to say. "I know. It is hard." she agreed quietly. "And it will take time to find another way." @Atrice

April, 77AD Lucius stood in the courtyard of the castra, facing seventy-five vigiles whose looks ranged from bored to exasperated. Mathematically speaking, they were significantly short of an actual centuria, but no one really paid attention to details like that. He was fast learning that, in fact, no one really paid attention to many details when it came to the vigiles. Including the vigiles. And gods help him, he was an officer now. Responsible to each and every one of these men, and one very sarcastic-looking Titus. This was awkward for everyone involved. For the men, because the recruit just became their boss. For him, because he didn't actually have military... or even leadership experience. Titus, because he probably would have made a better centurion. And both his families, because if he cocked this up, the whole adoption thing would end up being a public laughing stock. No pressure. "Well then." he cleared his throat. Some of the men folded their arms. This was not exactly... an organization with military discipline. "This is ridiculous" he muttered to himself, before he raised his voice. "I'm not going to pretend all of you don't already know who I am." He paused. "I'm the idiot that quit being a patrician and decided to be a recruit with the vigiles." Someone chuckled. Thank the gods. "And now this idiot is your centurion. Gods help us all." A murmur ran through the crowd, although he was not sure if it was a good thing or not. Lucius cleared his throat again. "I wanted to be a recruit, because I wanted to learn everything from the basics. From you. And you all taught me things. And you will teach me more, I don't doubt. I wanted to start there, because I don't want to make anyone do anything I have not done. I have run into burning buildings with you, and I will continue to do so. I have even tasted Marius' cooking... and I choose the burning building." Alright, so he may not have planned this speech very well, but at least this one earned a decent laugh. If he failed as a vigile, maybe he could have a job in entertainment. Lucius glanced at Titus. @Sara

Calpurnia had never been in love before. Sure, she had imagined it, when she was young; even Vestals were only human. But it always seemed like something abstract and far away. And now, she was in a man's arms in an underground cell, and she was in love. "Are you sure we can make it work? That you won't be... kept away from me? It's been so long since... since last time we were like this." She leaned in, pressing a kiss to his cheep before she got up. Her dress fell down from around her hips, and she started tugging the shoulders back on. "We will make it work" she said. She had no idea how, but they would. "And no one knows there is anyone I need to be kept away from." She added with a small smile. @Atrice

Lucius groaned, rolling his eyes at her comment about the wall paintings, but then he turned to tilt his head at her. "Birthday?" It dawned on him that, for all the things he knew and loved about Ovinia, he did not know when her birthday was. He walked over behind her to wrap his arms around her and kiss her shoulder. "I am assuming you have high expectations." @Sara

Calpurnia gave Alexius a bright smile, framing his face with her hands. He loved her. It was so strange, so unexpected. Nothing that had been planned for, or expected of, her. And yet, it made her happy. Alexius loved her, and it was not for duty, or rank, or expectations. That was... better, than anything she had in her future as a former Vestal. "I love you too." she whispered, still smiling, admiring the look in his eyes. @Atrice

Lucius laughed, turning back to the bed to take her hands and help her up. He pulled her close, giving her a soft kiss; their last moments being skin to skin. For now. He let go of her hesitantly, finding his clothes again and starting on getting dressed. "I will keep an eye on this house" he promised, giving her a smile. "As long as it is not sold... it's not a bad place. For us." @Sara

He grinned as she explored the marks she'd left. He didn't mind. No one really questioned a man, especially a vigile, about things like that. Or if they did, they would just make some crude jokes about it, and the blonde woman he'd been seen with. And in the meantime, secretly, he'd know. That the signs of passion had come from Ovinia. "I know." he sighed, slowly getting out of bed. "Do you need help getting dressed?" @Sara

My love. Calpurnia's look softened as she looked at him in the flickering light. The look on his face was so open, so sincere. This man. This unlikely man, from a different world, separate from hers. Holding her like he was the only person who really knew her. She leaned in to press a soft kiss to his lips. Someone this honest... deserved good things. His admission sent a shiver down her spine. She'd never imagined someone saying that to her before. From him, it felt natural. "You love me?" She whispered, feeling shy. Which was, given their current position, a little misplaced. @Atrice

"I'm looking to see if I've left any marks" he told her, looking over her smooth skin. He wished he could mark her. He'd kissed her and tasted her, but he had been careful, even in their passion, not to bite her in a way that would leave a mark. Those were... easy to notice, and hard to explain. "I haven't." he assured her, kissing her shoulder. He tilted his head, baring his neck to her. "How about you?" @Sara