Cerealia: A Day at the Races

[Sarah]

Imperial Box - Young Things

The advantage of the way he'd arranged the seating around him was that they could talk between groups, he simply had his age peers closest. Tiberius introduced Publius when Ovinia asked who the most recent arrival was, and gave a warm smile to the woman who settled herself not far from him; Julia Valeria. Perhaps the closest thing to a mother that he actually remembered, it was good to see her out and about. It had been too long since they'd spoken. Two more familiar faces joined the group and Tiberius returned the bow of Calpurnius Praetextatus with a respectful nod. Seeing those around him made him realise how many people amongst Rome's elite he was coming to know. It felt like a reassurance that he was doing the right things politically. Almost everyone here he could call a friend.

Discussion fell to betting on the races. Tiberius had already expressed his opinion to Marcus, but he listened with interest since Ovinia had asked Publius and Aulus. How would the older senators respond? 

Someone in the plebian seats screamed at the riders as they surged forwards on their horses. 

So passionate! You think she's onto something?

Tiberius snorted with amusement, but he regarded the racers thoughtfully. "Maybe. He's certainly holding his own against the White fellow." That was the one he'd recommended to Marcus.

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[Sarah]

Imperial Area - Grown Ups Section

He had a moment to offer a brief, tight smile of acknowledgement as Julia Valeria introduced herself in turn, before Tiberius was introducing him to some of his young companions. Publius supposed he'd been away for a year and so missed Caesar's stepping down and the young bloods who had risen like saplings when the great tree falls. He took note of the names, nodding to each in turn. 

Fortunately it wasn't to be only him and Julia amongst the youths, as his sister and brother-in-law arrived, their two eldest moving to join his in a teenaged huddle whilst the adults settled into each other's company.

I'm beginning to feel surplus to requirements. So where are you putting your money, then?

"If you are then we all are Aulus, and I don't think we're that past-it yet." Though looking at the extreme youth gathered around Sabucius, he did wonder. "I used to follow one of the blues charioteers, but I've no idea how he is on horseback." He admitted. This wasn't a racing style he'd watched much of, preferring the technical complexity of the chariots. "Surely you'd know better than I who's hot?" He suggested. Then again, as Consul Aulus probably had more important things to do than follow the chariot racing. 

Now that the race was running, the question of whom to bet on seemed to be on everyone's lips, including he young lady seated with her brother, both of the Ovinii-Camilli line, as she asked he and Aulus for their thoughts. The way she arched her brow when she asked, then threw the question open, quite convinced him that she was more interested in the conversation than the advice. Fair enough. "That depends. Would you prefer the surer win, with the shorter odds, or the outside chance? The latter will get you more return, if they win."Not that he had a clue who either of them were, he was just making conversation. She was a fetching thing, though she looked older than many girls when they were wed. 

Just then someone in the plebian section nearby screamed rather indelicately at the straining racers. "Of course, some people have quite strong opinions on the subject." He observed dryly, with a glance at Aulus as well. 

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[Sara]

She tilted her head, watching Publius as he spoke. Her lips twitched in a smile. "I note you didn't actually give your opinion Senator Justinus but it was a very deft politicians answer all the same." Avoiding the question was par for the course with her brothers and uncles in the Senate. She chuckled and tried to avoid both her brothers gaze (lest he be glaring at her for being quite so forward), and Tiberius (she hadn't really spoken to him since that evening where she'd testified). 

But their conversation was interrupted by the screaming of a plebeian woman above them. Ovinia wrinkled her nose and cleared her throat, chuckling at Marcus, Tiberius and Publius' observations. "Then perhaps I should take her lead, who does Paullus ride for?" Somebody murmured it was the reds and she nodded. She chanced a glance to Jason and frowned. Had she heard somewhere - had he told her (?) that the cousin, the mute boy whom she'd met once worked at a stables? Or was he a charioteer himself? Even from the best seats in the house it was difficult to make out specific faces and so she couldn't be sure. She shrugged. "Reds it is then. I should have probably thought about it before I dressed this morning." She chuckled, glancing down at the fine silk blue chiton she was wearing. 

 

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[Sarah]

Imperial Area - Grown Ups Section

I note you didn't actually give your opinion Senator Justinus but it was a very deft politicians answer all the same.

Publius looked amused for a moment, called out in front of his peers and family. She'd followed his answer and analysed it quickly, but perhaps he should expect as much from that line. Gaius Ovinius Camillus was a political juggernaut and this girl was clearly her father's daughter. She was absolutely right, of course. "I could say that I'm empowering you to make your own decision." He suggested mildly, since they were only discussing the racers, quite certain that so forthright a young lady would have her own opinions. But of course the truth was that the politicians answer was the one you gave when you didn't know the answer. "I've been away from Rome for a year, I don't recognise half the riders." Publius admitted more quietly, with a shrug. 

Some uncouth woman in the plebian section of the stand above them clearly had her own opinion on the subject, and voiced it at the top of her lungs. The young woman turned to her age peers and discussed following the enthusiastic pleb's lead; apparently Paullus rode for the Reds. He watched her for a moment before turning his attention back to the race. She was a comely thing and clearly intelligent. He'd admitted to Aulus and Horatia that he was looking to wed again, and a link to Gaius Ovinius Camillus and his family could prove very beneficial to his political career. On the other hand, he wasn't certain that he wanted a wife who was closer to his children in age than himself. The alternative was a woman closer to his own age, probably a widow, or an unusual case, such as Aulus's sister Calpurnia, previously a Vestal Virgin. She was definitely an option, though he wondered how she'd adapt to life in a domus. Even the elegant lady who'd introduced herself as Julia Valeria dressed like a widow rather than a wife. Either of them or someone similar would likely be a good role model for his children... but the probability of another child would be low, and he only had one son. Admittedly Spurius had taken his toga and was still growing like a weed, but things could happen, especially when he began his cursus honorum. If he wanted another son, he would need a younger wife. 

Even thinking about it still felt like a betrayal of Lucia, his beloved and the mother of his children, but Publius was a practical man; he had to be. Even if it was sometimes at odds with his preferences. He'd allowed himself the luxury of disappearing to Achaea for a year on the excuse of the Quaestorship, and his father had already started making suggestions. Still, he wasn't ready to start closing off options yet. "Aulus, how is your sister settling in? It must be quite the change for her, from her life in Vesta's service." Even more daunting than life outside the military. 

On his other side the youngsters had apparently settled where their bets were being placed for his race, and the young woman - Ovinia - lamented her choice of attire, even though she looked quite fetching in her chiton. "Perhaps you should take Fortuna's suggestion and bet on the blues then?" He suggested to her, since that's what she was wearing. "The colour suits you."

Was he overdoing it? Maybe. He and Lucia had been easy, the attraction had been mutual and his father had done most of the negotiation. Now, whilst his father had final say, he was giving Publius far more freedom to seek out his own bride, and the military man wasn't certain that he wanted it. 

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[Sharpie]

"My sister?" Aulus settled back in his seat and shifted his focus to his brother-in-law. "Calpurnia is settling in very well, and has taken to civilian life with great aplomb. She is delighting herself in everything, and has arrayed herself in half the colours of the rainbow, trying to make up for lost time." He didn't begrudge her that - how could he? They had spent the majority of their lives apart, after all, and if Calpurnia wanted to buy out all the drapers in Rome, who was he to stop her?

Drapers and book-sellers, although Horatia would certainly help her with that second one.

He sent a quiet, private, glance towards his wife, although she was looking down at the race-track and didn't notice it. And thinking of his wife made him look back at Publius, who had lost his own wife not so long ago. Aulus couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose Horatia, and had the greatest sympathy for him, though it seemed that Publius was as pragmatic as any Roman of their status, judging by the turn of his questioning.

Ovinia Camilla was probably a bit young for him - she would be young for Aulus, being only a handful of years or so older than Titus. He was making the attempt, at least.

Aulus determined to do what he could for his brother-in-law, whether that meant getting him riotously drunk so he could mourn the loss of his wife properly, or helping him find someone to take on the running of his house.

Calpurnia might make a good wife for him - they were similar in age, they could converse about a great many things, and at a level deeper than many women could. The only issue would be, probably, that Publius should have a second son, and Calpurnia's age was against her there, especially for a first pregnancy, though she would make a wonderful mother - he had seen her with his own Quintus, after all. For a former Vestal, her maternal feelings were undeniable.

"Have you met Calpurnia?" he asked. It would hardly be surprising if they hadn't.

 

@Sarah @Sara @Atrice @Chevi @Jenn @Insignia

[Sara]

"At least you have an excuse." She noted to Publius with a slightly wry smile and slight self-deprecation, "Your absence, I mean. Whereas I'm just unschooled in the latest news from the factions." She cast a glance down at  the track again, watching them closely although it required that she had to squint her eyes a little. Even from this distance it was hard to tell, and she was grateful the faction leaders had been sensible eons ago when they decided to bedeck their riders in specific colours. 

But the conversation meandered on and she watched the race, chattering with those closest to her as the older men in front spoke with one another. She had no interest in prying on their conversations but the name Calpurnia did ring a bell. She was perhaps a surprisingly pious woman who enjoyed her frequent visits to the Temples of Rome. Vesta she held for special occasions, but she had come to know the Vestals by sight and occasionally name. She had spoken rarely to the tall, elegant blonde but now the cogs clicked into place that the Calpurnia she had met was the sister of the Consul prior. Curious. Good for him, she thought of Publius; trying for an ex-Vestal. It never hurt men to have ambition in life.

Which was why she was surprised as he reacted to her lament about her dress with what she was fairly confident was an attempt at flirtation. She arched a brow, her lips twitching as she studied him for a beat before retorting; "Green suits me better. But Fortuna was smiling when I chose this," she gestured at the silks she was bedecked in, "Our man in green is doing terribly." And with a chuckle she gestured at the track where said man was very clearly trailing and looked close to his axis splintering. Her eyes flicked back to Publius for a second more of study before she glanced to Marcus Silanus and her brother next to her. "How does one even place a bet?" As a well-bred young woman gambling was very much not in her repertoire of social skills. 

 

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[Atrice]

Marcus nodded at Tiberius' comment, the charioteer from the Reds was definitely holding his own against the racer that Tiberius recommended. But he trusted Tiberius so he might bet on the guy from the Whites anyway. Marcus didn't really have a preference, except that he preferred to bet on the winning side. Tiberius was one winning side to bet on. That guy from the Whites might be another. Ovinia thought she might bet on the guy from the Reds, although she was wearing blue.

The older Senator Justinus complimented her blue dress though and thought that might be her team. Marcus rolled his eyes, but he supposed she was the kind of woman who might actually enjoy compliments that just had to do with the color of her dress. He liked her in more vibrant colors. Not that the blue didn't suit her, but really red or green would be more her colors. She might want to come across as a sweet and light girl, but she was not. At least Ovinia agreed with him, that another color would suit her better, even if she chose to mention green rather than red. And the Greens weren't doing well. And then she wondered how to place a bet.

"We can just bet between us." Marcus suggested, "I'm going to trust Tiberius when he says to bet on the dark-haired one racing for the Whites. And you choose red then? Despite your dress?" Marcus said with a smile, "I think red might be more you anyway. How much shall we bet?" 

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[Sharpie]

 

Marcus knew the spot where he could stand and see as much as possible of the race while not being in the way, despite being at track level. The best view of the circuit was, naturally, the Imperial Box, which was draped in purple and had a canopy to shade the spectators there. The heat was beating up from the sands of the track and reflecting off the stonework of the tiered seating; horses and riders would all be in need of a drink when they came off the track, and there were slaves with water buckets already milling around in readiness.

But the race was not done yet; Marcus adjusted his pallium, watching as horses and riders approached down the straight in front of the Imperial Box to take the turn - there was an expanse of track between the starting gates and the near end of the spina. None of the milling slaves or other faction people would be in the way, although the officials tried to keep numbers on the track to a minimum.

He glanced towards the imperials and senatorial spectators, wondering how many of them had decided to bet on the Whites' newest charioteer. He could recognise talent, and knew that Azarion was likely one of the best riders in Rome, if his heritage had not betrayed him, but whether anyone else recognised that was something only time would tell.

It had taken some persuasion and promises for Azarion to be allowed to race on horseback after the previous stunt with the stirrups, but Marcus was not entirely chastised over it. They had needed the shake-up, in his opinion, and although it had taken the warning that if Azarion tried it again, he would be banned from racing on horseback again, he had faith in the young Sarmatian. Time would tell whether that faith was misplaced or not.

 

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Edited February 12 by Sharpie

[Sharpie]

Jason clasped his hands so tightly that he could feel the fingernails digging into the palm of one hand and the wrist of the other - marks that would doubtless be visible to his master when Tiberius next required something from him. He was a slave, not allowed the expression of excitement that meant the crowds producing the thunderous roars that all but drowned out the sounds of the galloping horses. There was nothing so exhilarating as feeling the power of the horse under you as it stretched out at full gallop and he blinked as the brightness misted over momentarily at the memory of Burdukhan under him and  the wind in his hair, before the present reasserted itself.

Tiberius didn't seem as electrified as the other spectators, merely making his observations in his usual calm way, though the others around him seemed more keyed up - and he was sure he'd heard a girl's voice above the general roar of the crowd, urging on one of the other riders. He managed a private smile. Whoever the other rider was, he didn't stand a chance against a Sarmatian born in the saddle.

 

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Edited February 12 by Sharpie

[Sarah]

Spurius Antius Claudus

Plebian Section

Spurius smirked at the woman's 'Red, obviously', as Rubina gestured to her red ribbon and rust-coloured tunica. And not only did she support the team but was clearly passionate in that support, exhorting a Paullus to shift certain parts of his anatomy with haste. It was entertaining in a way, and indeed as the horses thundered past again much of their section of the stands seemed to be cheering for someone. He hadn't felt that passionately about something for years, partly due to self-protective reserve and partly due to want of a cause. Ah well.

"If you're going to shout like that you'll want to wet your throat." He suggested, offering the woman a cup of watered wine - quite reasonable stuff - with a dash of vinegar for extra refreshment. It was a good beverage on a hot day. "Why the Reds?" He asked, curious as to what inspired her.

@Chevi