The villa of the Albini, the preferred residence of the current pater familias of that respectable patrician clan, lies just south of Roma, in the rolling hills of Latium close to Ostia. A road of connects the villa to the road to Ostia, allowing easy access to the ports there. It is no coincidence that the first building inside the walls of the compound one sees once coming in from this road is the warehouse and depot.
Last edited by Dirty Chai; November 02, 2016 at 06:18 PM.
He is welcomed into the home of the flamen, where Albinus the Elder meets him in the vestibulum (entrance hall). No pointed apex sat his head, since he was under his own roof, but his toga praetexta's hood was pulled over his head in a fashion of capite velato.
"Salve," the flamen said, nodding politely to the visitor
The young lad bowed quietly. "Salve. I am Octavius Julius Iulus, youngest son of the Consul. I am hoping to begin my political career this Elections, and I had thought we could could benefit from an alliance with each other."
"Come in, sit with us," the purple-striped hierophant led him into the domus, to where the pool of water sat in the middle.
A dark haired girl visibly younger than Octavius took a seat as they joined her; she was dressed in a woman's equivalent of what Albinus wore, her hair tied up with a purple string. The Flaminica Dialis. She sat quietly, averting her eyes in a shy, obedient fashion.
"How old are you this year, Octavius?" Albinus the Elder's eyes glanced over his guest's clean-shaven face.
"My brother was taken prisoner at Tifernus. We do not know if he will return alive or in a sound enough state to follow the cursus. It is my filial and fraternal duty to fulfill his role and place.
"I can sympathize. We must do our familial duty as Jupiter commands," the flamen concluded.
Silence. He turned to glance at his young wife.
"My dear, go see what my daughters are up to," he told her gently, giving her an excuse to leave his side.
Watching her go, Albinus turned back to his guest with a pensive look.
"The quaestorship you say... A friend of mine's younger brother seeks that magistracy.. " his mouth curled into an amused smile as he spoke, ".. he is a roudy young man, that one."
Octavius cocked his head quietly. "Luckily there are two spots for Quaestership, but, unfortunately, you can only back one."
Octavius scratched his cheek and continued. "I am not rowdy, per say" he said thoughtfully and politely "Although I have had my moments. I am not a friend so much as an acquaintance. What I am is experienced in monetary matters and I will remember the men who become my friends once I take up office. Be it this year or in the future."
Octavius smiled coyly. "Why promise?" He gestured his personal slave forwards, and a medium sized sack of coin was sat upon the table. "500 denarii from my own pocket, take it as the first payment of many towards the new temple. "
The young man's smile widened. "Perhaps we could even look into expanding the plans to include the whole Pantheon. Why do things by half?"