Domus of Marcus Julius Celsus

[Elendil of Númenor]

The Domus of Marcus Julius Celsus is quite simple, as he bought it out of the money he put together throughout his journeys.
The household of Celsus is quite simple. He has only the slaves he needs. He never makes big meals for himself, sometimes he simply eats with the slaves to chat along with them. Though he doesn't make much for himself, visitors can usually experience the finest of hospitalities.
Celsus spends most of his free time in his study, reading and often writing books.
Everyone is welcome to his Domus, he holds no enmity to any Senator.

[Sir James the Good]

Dressed in the purple-bordered toga of a Quaestor, Decimus Juinus Aquila approaches the Domus of Senator Celsus with an appreciation for its simplicity and lack of the pompous displays so prevalent in the living places of many egotistical aristocrats.

He warmly greets the slave who answers the door and asks to be shown to his master.

[Elendil of Númenor]

Celsus hurries in to the hallway, a smile spreading over his face as he sees the fellow senator standing in front of him.

"Welcome, Senator Aquila, welcome!"

He turned to his slave and said and said in a teasing voice,

"Well Rabos, don't just stand there, give the good man some of that Greek wine! "

The slave hurried away lightly smiling broadly at his master. Celsus turns back to the senator.

"Come and have a seat somewhere. Make yourself comfortable."

Taking Senator Aquila to one of his most homely rooms, he waited until Rabos poured some wine into both goblets, and asked:

"So, what brings you to my simple house, Senator?"

[Sir James the Good]

Thank you kindly Celsus. I wanted to wish you luck on your diplomatic mission to Greece. The Senate honors you with its appointment!

But before you go, might I suggest that you register on the Census? All good Romans should do so when the Censor requires it.

[Elendil of Númenor]

Indeed this is an honour to me that I can humbly serve Rome in such a manner. For I feel in the depths of my heart that I have much to do for her yet - and here I begin. But you must be mistaken about the Census. I have registered. (http://www.twcenter.net/forums/showthread.php?t=190903, I'm 27th on the list.)

[Sir James the Good]

It appears there are two Censuses, one on the Campus Martius and one in the forum. No matter.

Once again wishing his friend good luck, Aquila departed.

[Elendil of Númenor]

The Domus was buzzing with life. Thanks to the master's fine steward, that buzzing was quite orderly.

"Khairos!" Celsus called out "Have you got everything ready?"
"Yes, sir."
"Clothes?"
"Yes, sir."
"My sword?"
"Yes, sir."
"Horse?"
"Yes, sir."
"Rabos's stuff."
"He's ready to go with you. Furthermore, have you thought of guards, sir?"
"I was thinking about hiring two ex-gladiators."
"I don't know, sir. I thought of two Hastasi, who have just enlisted to the legions."
"Khairos, I need guards, not soldiers."
"They would act as your - "
"Believe me, ex-gladiators will be fine."
"As you wish sir."
"I want everything ready by the morrow. I'll be leaving as soon as the sun is up in the sky.

The steward bowed, and Celsus proceeded to the balcony. He sniffed on the night breeze and thought,
"Well, time to see the world again."

[Sir James the Good]

Aquila was enjoying dinner. Celcus had a beautiful triclinium, the couch he reclined on was not to hard but not too soft, and the food was superb.

Well Celcus my dear friend! I’m glad that you’re back. Congratulations once again on your success in Greece—I had not expected the stubborn Epirotes to go back on their previous refusal of peace and trade rights. Good thing you went back and asked again!

As for what’s been going on in Rome in the meantime, the central event that has had everyone’s attention over the past two years is the invasion of Sicilia. Balbus stormed Messana and Scipio took Lilibaeum—both proved themselves fine commanders. We’ve agreed with the “Lex Domestica De Aedificaturo Viarum in Italia” to shift our focus towards expanding trade here in Italia. Most agree that the next logical step in our against Carthage would be to take Corsica and Sardinia, which of course requires the construction of a fleet—a very expensive affair. That’s where you come in—and Balbus and Scipio. Thanks to Epirote trade and Sicilian taxes we should be able to afford this fleet and a new legion to boot!

[Elendil of Númenor]

Celsus nodded delightfully.

"Good news. Almost nothing reached me in Greece about happenings in Rome. I had quite a time in Makedonia and the Greek Cities. But the real show was when I returned to Epeiros... It was not only common sense that made the Epeirots sign the peace and trade agreement..."

Celsus grinned to himself, and continued.

Anyway, I see you are climbing up rapidly on the Cursus Honorum! Congratulations! Rome has two perfect Praetors once more. Though I rust in you more than I do in Scipio of course. Even though he's one of the more sensible populists.

[Sir James the Good]

You flatter me Celcus!

As for Scipio, he is a good man. He does not seek power for personal reasons, and he has served the Republic well.

But what about you? Do you have any plans for next year? Will you be seeking to run for office?

[Elendil of Númenor]

Me? Ha-ha, well I think it will probably be time to try out the Quaestor's office by next year. Rome is having a bad serving of them lately. So I wish to change that. In fact, I wanted to stand for the office last year. But, alas, my mission in Greece took too long. I'm not disapointed, though. I needed that year out of Rome. Staying in this city for a long time makes me... slow. Now at least everyone can hear my voice a bit more, they will know wether I deserve the office or not.
How about you? Will you jump up to be consul? Or something less tiring? Either way, you will find my support.

[Sir James the Good]

Good to hear! A swift, efficient Quaestor would be a refreshing change. You will have no problem getting elected I am sure.

I intend on running for Proconsul of Sicilia once Lepidus' term is up, as I am sure you have heard me say in meetings of the Optimates. But that is two years away. In the meantime I'll probably run for Praetor again.

[Elendil of Númenor]

The halls of the Domus were empty, the corridors dark. The usual chatter in the slaves' quarters was quelled to mere whispering. Rumours were spreading. Celsus was ill, and nobody new what was wrong. Nobody, except for on man. Lucius Tullius, the doctor of the Celsii Domus. That man was now hurrying through the silent corridors to the dominus's room.

The simple truth was, that Marcus Julius Celsus found Greece quite hot, when he went there at the head of a diplomatic envoy. Somehow his body got used to the weather in Greece. However, after completing his mission and returning to Rome he got a small cold. Not much of a problem, but when he came home from the Forum drenched in water after the huge storm in Sextilis, Doctor Tullius told him to stay in bed. Celsus did so without much complaining, particularly after realizing next day morning that he could barely lift his arms or legs.

After more than two months of lying in bed, Tullius was coming for his regular visit. He knocked and slowly opened the door to find Celsus studying a map of Sicilia and the northern shores of Africa.

"This map yet awaits completion!" Celsus grunted to the Doctor.
"You will surely be able to complete it when you go to... squeeze peace out of the Carthaginians." Tullius said, smiling at the Senator.
"Ahh... yes well I - " Celsus looked up, joy spreading over his face "Wait! That means I can go the Carthage? I'll be fine to leave for the fleet?"
"If everything goes well... You will have to stay indoors - and mostly in bed, by that, for the next few months however..."
Celsus's face darkened "How many months exactly?"
"You'll probably be fine by April, next year."

Celsus sank back on the pillows furiously, sighing in grief. "Gods, what have I done to deserve this?" he thought savagely. He then turned to Tullius and thanked him for everything. The doctor left and Celsus was once again alone. He picked up the map once more, but when he looked at it, the anger boiled once more and he threw it away.
"How in Jupiter's name will I bare to live in this prison for the next six months?!" he swore loudly. There is no one here for me. No one. No one......
The memory of his beloved wife came back vividly, piercing at his heart like the blade of a dagger. The anger melted away, and sorrow took it's place. Tears came, but they were not dashed away. The senator, who looked as if he has aged centuries, closed his eyes, and let himself be led into a dream. A dream of happiness. A dream where he could hold his wife's hands once more, were he could touch her lips yet again. A dream of the past. But it was just that. A dream.

OOC: All that RP-ing leads to one conclusion: I'll be away next week, though I'll try to take a peek about what's happening here, if I can. If I cannot come back till January, I wish everyone a very Happy New Year!

[Sir James the Good]

Good RPing.

See you whenever you return.

[Elendil of Númenor]

The Domus returned to it's usual level of activity. Finally Celsus could visit the Curia again.