The Funeral of Sextus Tuccius Alexander

[The Stig]

The Senators were transported by ship to Carthage. Once they arrived, they were taken to the Tuccii estate. Almost a fortress, the massive complex consisted of a ring of offices and rooms that contained the headquarters of the Tuccii trading business. These halls were filled with clerks dashing around and guards standing watch. The Senators passed through the "Wall," as it was called and came upon the magnificence of the Tuccii villa. This was the private residence of the Tuccii family. The building was huge and beautiful, built in the Punic style. The interior was opulently decorated; works of art lined the walls. The funeral was to be held in a large courtyard. Musicians, dancers, and entertainers of every sort were set to perform. Food and Drink of every sort waited upon gigantic tables. The courtyard was full of people, guards, guests, servants. There was one group of people that seemed apart from the others, however. The Tuccii were dressed in the most wondrous silks, but each bore a mournful expression. Septimus led the Senators into courtyard, spread his arms, and welcomed them.

"Enjoy the festivities, my friends."

[Dark Storm]

Consul Gnaeus spoke to each family member individually expressing his condolences to them, he finally made his way back to Septimus to speak with him. "Your brother was a great man Senator, and i'm sorry for the loss and hardship, you and your family has had to deal with these past few months."

[The Stig]

"Thank you Gnaeus, it has been hard. I could say more, but I feel the Patriarch's speech will express it better. He'll give it later tonight, I think. Until then, enjoy the party."

[Okmin]

Aquila arrives and speaks to each Tuccii in turn. He finally turns to Septimus.

"You and your family have my deepest condolences. Sextus was a great man and a close friend of mine."

[The Stig]

"Thank you for the kind words, Gaius." He leaned forward and whispered into Gaius's ear. "When Mus gives his speech, it would help if you assisted me afterwords. This will make sense soon." Septimus leaned back. "Oh, we have all kinds of entertainment. Please, make yourself at home!"

[Okmin]

Aquila nods and smiles. "I will. Thank you."

[PatrickR]

As the current Pro-consul and a resident of Carthage, Aulus makes his own way to the Tucci Estate; once there, he makes the rounds of the family members of Sextus Alexander.

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus sees Aquila, "Ave Aquila, sad times aren't they?" he sighed "How goes the raising of the legion?"

[Okmin]

"Yes, they are. However the levying is going well and should be completed in about a month."

OOC: Two days from now.

[Dark Storm]

"That's good, what is your initial plan for them?"

[Okmin]

"Numidia."

[Sonke]

Quaestor Lucullus walks in

''I'm sorry for you loss. His death wasn't fair.''

[Okmin]

"Gnaeus, do you plan on running for anything next year?"

[Dark Storm]

"Possibly Consul again, my friend, i'll just have to see the way the land lies. And you Aquila?"

[Okmin]

"Pro-consul of Graecia, most likely. I have a feeling things will not be peaceful there for much longer."

[Dark Storm]

"I have a feeling your probably right." Gnaeus sighed "Well, you would have my support anyway, my friend."

[Okmin]

"As do you. Now, I wonder when that patrician is going to show up."

[The Stig]

As the guests were talking, a tall, gaunt man ascended a small plinth. The Tuccii stopped what they were doing and looked at him at once. The other guests followed suit. Septimus informed the guests near him that this was Septimus Tuccius Mus, the patriarch and leader of the Tuccii. He cleared his throat and began to speak.

“Greetings to all, thank you for coming. Sextus was a great man and a true Roman. We are here to celebrate his death, on which there seems to be much confusion. Sextus took his own life, some time ago, at our villa in Rome. I know not why he did such a thing, but it may assist our understanding of it to note the current situation in the Senate. The usual expansion of Rome’s borders is occurring, with the civil war in Numidia being of note here. The debates in the Curia are far more interesting to us. There is a man in Rome named Gaius Cornelius Scipio. We believe he may have something to do with the death. You see, over the past four years he has constantly denounced our family, fought with Sextus in the Curia, and disrupted some of our operations. This man has made himself an enemy of the Tuccii and we will respond. He is, all at once, an idiot, a thief, and a liar. He may be implicated somewhat in the incident. But that is not what tonight is about, this is a night of remembrance and mourning. War may come with dawn. Until then, honor, victory, family!” He stepped down and faded into the crowd.

The Tuccii chanted their motto in unison. “Honor, Victory, Family.”

[Okmin]

Aquila turns to the younger Septimus. "What's this about war?"

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus also slightly concerned listens for the Tuccii's answer