Curia Hostilia: Consulate of Cato/Equestris

[Xavier Dragnesi]

MAGISTRATA IN ANNO 477 A.U.C.

CONSVLES
APPIVS TVLLIVS MARCELLVS CATO ET QVINTVS IVLIVS EQVESTRIS

CENSOR
-

PONTIFEX MAXIMVS
PALLAS RVTVLVS AVENTINVS

PRAETOR
CORNELIVS CALLIDVS SENECA

TRIBUNIS PLEBIS
SERVIVS TVLLIVS REGVLVS ET AVLVS DERMIVS AVITVS

QUAESTOR
FLAVIVS TARQVINIVS SALLVSTIAS

[Xavier Dragnesi]

Marcus Claudius Marcellus Favonianus entered the Curia early on the new year. Looking up at the list of magistrates, he immediately noticed a problem. Quickly, he took out a small wax tablet and a stylus from the inner folds of his toga, and scribbled on it, placing it on the Curule chair of Consul Cato, who held the fasces.

"Opening topic for discussion: appointment of a Censor."

[Ozy]

Nero entered the Curia once again. Heading to a group of Senators he knew, he chatted with them, waiting for the rest of the people to arrive.

[Elendil of Númenor]

Servius Tullius Regulus, now Tribune, slipped in silently as usual, no one noticing him enter. He sat down on his seat and looked around sternly.

[chaplain118]

Pallas stepped forth.

Senators, I have performed the sacrifices and these are the results. The sacrificial victim, a white ox, had a healthy looking liver at the outset. We will have a seemingly smooth year ahead of us. However, upon examining the other side of the liver, I found it to be spotted with gray lesions. Our coming year will be marred with setbacks and deceit. The Furies have crawled within the walls of the Senate itself. There are forces at work that moves against the Republic. We must be ever vigilant if we are to save her.

One more fact from the sacrifices. The first drops of blood that escaped from the great veins of the victim splattered upon the floor in the shape of a crown before being surrounded by the rest of the blood. A monarchist is among us, and we can not ignore it. I ask that the Praetor begin an investigation immediately, starting with anyone who may have anything to gain from a return of the Kingship.

Pallas scanned the room, resting his gaze upon each Senator.

[Raglan]

Lucius Flavius sits and listens to the pronouncement about the coming year. Sounds like a year that will be trying but will hold rewards for men that are effective in helping stopping the difficulties.

The news about a monachist is more worrying, and Lucius wonders to himself who it could be.

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Praetor stirs at his mentions and Seneca responds.

Of course we have a monarchist among us, well, soon to be among us. We are all familiar with his name. Investigations are futile when the man stands out plain as day.

[Raglan]

Fogive my ignorance Preator, but i am unsure as to who you are refering to.

And i have to take issue with your comment, we are a republic, with laws - look at the twelve tables if you wish, and one of those laws is the right for any citizen to be protected by the Roman State UNLESS he is proven to be guilty of a crime.

The only method a citizen can be proven of such a crime is before a magistrate or the Preator, and for an acussation such as this it is YOUR duty to examine and judge without bias in the proper process's.

[The10thLegion]

Equestris stands up to speak

For now though I wish that we debate over the roles of the Consuls as I assume both of us will be leaving soon.

[Elendil of Númenor]

Regulus listened to the debating with a sour expression, and after the Consul spoke decided to stand up.

"Leave, Consul? Where too? We are about to end this war, not continue it. Has the diplomatic envoy embarked for Carthage? (OOC: I guess it would be wiser if no one would go to Carthage in RP terms as there are too few of us here already) Has there been any news from Caesar? Has Marcellus received his orders? Where is Cato? He should be holding the fasces of the month. Have you seen the tablet on his chair, Consul? We need to appoint a Censor."

Regulus, satisfied with the list of questions he poured on Equestris and the Senate, sat down.

[Gaius Julius Civilis]

Falco enters the curia looking weak and frail. He walk bent over and he looks pale and skinny. Every action appears to require too much effort. With a small handkerchief Falco wipes the sweat off of his forehead as he walks to the stand.

"Sen..." Falco coughs softly but agonizingly, "Senators,

I have failed. I have failed my Republic and I have failed you. I have failed to fulfill the duty set to me by this August body. I have not governed the Propraetorate of Massilia and..." sigh, "...and the Punic Isles.

As I arrived in Massilia I contracted Malaria and have been suffering from it ever since. I am willing to stand trial and face any punishment you deem fit.
Senators, I am at your mercy. Act to the best of your conscience."

And with those words Falco shuffles to his seat, collapsing into it as he reaches it. He breathes heavily and sweat-pearls form on his forehead.

[Elendil of Númenor]

"Senator Falco. You are an ill man, thus you cannot be condemned for your failure," said Regulus softly. "I believe it would be best if you would be escorted home immediately, to be tended to. Doctors should be sent to ensure that you heal," he continued, his face expressionless. "However that brings us to another problem. There is no governor in the Propraetorate of Massilia and the Punic Isles."

[Xavier Dragnesi]

OOC: Malaria in Massilia?

"I for one do not accuse you of neglecting your duty, senator Falco. Some illnesses we just cannot combat, and we cannot expect you to continue maintaining a province, when your own health can't be maintained. I hope that your suffering eases, and you may be able to join us in good health in teh near future. I agree with Tribune Regulus, you would do better to return to your house immediately, rest and await treatment from doctors.

As for other matters, rest assured that my father knows his orders as instructed in the recent motion. Currently, our most pressing issues are a peace with Carthage, and the appointment of both a Censor and a Propraetor."

[Raglan]

As far as i can see it is a lack of suitiable candiates.

I would of course be happy to fill either as would most senators, but i am yet to begin the cursus honorum thus am disqualified as are most who are not otherwise preoccupied with a position

ooc; is the punic isles and sicily being govened together or each sepatly

[Elendil of Númenor]

OoC: Separately. But the Punic Isles go with Massilia. Who has the save?

"According to our laws the only man able to hold the office of Censor would be someone who is not here." Thank the Gods, whispered Regulus to himself.

[Gaius Julius Civilis]

ooc: yeah, it's relatively warm there

Falco laboriously wipes the sweat off his forehead.

"Th-h-hank you, S-senators, for all of your k-kind words, but I should stand t-trial. I had been given a task by the Senate and I-I failed. Besides, I am s-sure that some Senators are not as k-kind as you g-good gentlemen..."

Falco goes crosseyed for a moment until a slave pours some water in his mouth and gently presses a wet piece of cloth against Falco's forehead.

"Th-hank you, I'm... I'm a-alrigh-t. Senators, we cannot l-let neglect and ins-s-subordination g-g-go unp..." Falco unleashes a deep sigh and wipes off his forehead, "u-unpunished..."

Once more, Falco collapses into his seat, his fall only half broken by the slave standing by his side.

[The10thLegion]

Sorry to hear Falco, hope you get better.

Regulus, Im not sure what the will of the senate is yet but I would like to add I don't want my consulship just to be me lounging around in Rome.

[M D]

Aulus came in late.. He had been with petitioners and sat with Regulus..

"I trust we shall serve each other..."

He then stood..

"Indeed, what good consuls ever do stay in Rome wasting time dealing with us rabble, haha..."

[Xavier Dragnesi]

"Then I am sorry, dear Consul, for your duties are decreed by the needs of the Republic, not your personal wants."

OOC: The latest save is the one I posted up after my battle of Corduba, I think.
EDIT: No its not, actually the newest is the one Chaplain posted up.

[Elendil of Númenor]

Regulus frowns.

"That is for the Senate to decide, Consul. As for you, Senator Falco, I would ask someone to take you home. You are in no way suitable to be here with us today."