Palatine Domus of Marcus Julius Celsus

[Elendil of Númenor]

The ancient house of Marcus Julius Celsus. (WIP)

[Ozy]

Barba walked to the great house of the Julii and asked to have a word with Celsus.

[Elendil of Númenor]

The slave ran off, to soon return and show Barba in. Not much time passed until a stern faced Celsus appeared in the room. He immediately smiled at the sight of the fellow Senator, and greeted him cheerfully.
"Salve, Senator Barba. What a pleasure to see you," he said, meanwhile turning to a slave and waving with his hand to bring wine. "Hard year, we are looking forward to, don't you think?"

[Ozy]

"Hard indeed, Senator," he replied. "But Rome has a good amount of great men to take care of that," he said, nodding in respect to him, as he shook his hand. While he did not agree with Celsus's ideas on politics, he recognized him as a brave man and a hero of previous wars, he wouldn't mind having him as his Coconsul the next year. Almost an entire decade younger than him, Claudius saw in men like him the future rulers of Rome. If only he weren't such a liberal...

"So, running for the Consulship. I'm happy for you, friend. Competition might be hard, but I trust it will be you and I who finish taking those big seats in the Curia. But tell me, how has life been treating you lately?"

ooc: is it ok to act as if our characters are kind of familiar with each other?

[Elendil of Númenor]

ooc: good with me - judging by their age they could be old "friends". Btw, as I'm writing more in a book-like style, would it be better if I'd use some kind of colour for my character's dialogues, as it might get a bit messy for the eye like this?

"Ah, too well. You know me, I never liked sitting lazily in a nice house and watching our Republic tearing itself apart." The slave came back, bearing two silver goblets and a jug of wine. Celsus nodded at the slave, and poured some wine for Barba, then for himself. He then continued, grinning. "Well, nothing like a good campaign to help that, eh? Indeed, I hope we both get to the Consulship. If I do, I am definitely going to need you."
He leaned closer, squeezing Barba's arm. "It is time we kick these Greek fools out of Italy once and for all!"

Celsus lay back, watching the ageing Senator. Barba was one of those Senators whose families had fought for the Republic from great-great-grandfathers to her last sons. A typical, proud Patrician who rarely cared to even glance at the lower ranks of the Roman People. The Julii, on the other hand were always favoured by the Plebs, for which they showed much more respect towards them, than the average Patrician. Even though the Celsii, unlike the Caesares, were a more conservative branch of the family...
Well, Celsus thought, Barba was a good man, whatever his limitations his class caused. Respectable and honourable, and it could well be, that Celsus would one day need his help.

[Ozy]

ooc: It was not too hard so far imo but you could give it a try...
ic:

"Indeed. If we are to remain the ruling power of Italy, we must first make sure Phyrrus and his armies are gone from the peninsula. But we should leave that discussion for later, after the election. The reason for my visit, is a little different, though it still relates to the dirty business of politics."

Barba took the wine Celsus served for him, and, took a sip of it.

"Hmmm, Campanian?"

"The reason of my visit is, friend, that I have a proposal for you. I have recently shared some words with Appius of the Claudii, and we have commented some ideas regarding the course our Republic should take. We have agreed on forming a political block, a body of men who will fight together in the Senate, under the banner of Goodness, for what is right and noble, for our good old roman values that have been fading little by little before our very eyes. My friend, we have seen the rising power of the descendants of foreigners, of the new Romans, who may be bounteous and worthy, yes, but lack the fiber that OUR kind possesses, the material required to rule a nation. The Patres should rule the children, not the other way around.


The Plebs rise in power, and it is our duty, as the founders of this great nation, to protect its most antique and sacred body from becoming polluted. We have ruled since the start, and brought greatness to our land. And that should remain like that. That is why, the great houses of Rome, the Claudii, the Valerii, the Scipii, the Herrenii...the Julii should wok together for the good of Romans, Patrician and Plebeian alike. Become one of us, join the Optimates."

Barba finished with an amiable smirk, not enough to say he was smiling, but more congenial than his usual look. He then finished his wine, and awaited his response, as he read his every expression...

[Elendil of Númenor]

“Yes, Campanian. My family's own,” Celsus said with a friendly smile.
What followed after that, made the smile slowly disappear from his face. Eventually, as Barba was finishing his little speech, it began to appear again, only to be disturbed by a sudden flash in his eyes at the Senator's last sentence.

“Join you, Publius Herrenius?” Celsus finally said after a long wait. “Now, you see, I can't do that.”
He stood up and walked to the window. He looked out, gazing down the Palatine. He was one of them, he was one of them! ...He turned around and frowned at Barba. Before the man could open his mouth, Celsus began.
“I agree with you in what you want. The Republic was made, so that those, who are better than 'the rest', could protect and guide 'the rest' – but not rule. Would there be a difference between a kingdom or a republic if its leaders would just tyrannically squat over their people?
I agree with you in what you fight for. Rome cannot be led by peasants and farmers. Rome needs noble and honourable leaders. Leaders like you, Publius Herrenius, or Claudius, or Valerius. Rome needs her dignity, her ancient values, her rightful power.”

Celsus sat down again, took a sip of his wine and continued:
“So why don't I join you? Those 'good men', boni, you would call it, who fight for all this? My answer is simple.
You see, all my life I fought for what is good. I fought for honour, for my own and for Rome's. I fought for justice and for all that is Rome, all her ancient and sacred ways, customs and laws. And then, I fought for independence. For freedom to speak and act as I will; and this is what had taken me here.
And now you would want me to throw away this freedom of soul and mind, and join you? To support you in everything, no matter if it is good or bad? And thus, all you would come down to, is a foul political party, a group of men who blindly support each other; I am disappointed, that you, such a great Roman and good man, would throw away so many of your virtues, just to feel safe because of the protection of your allies in the House.
“Understand this,” Celsus continued on coldly, “that I will support you and your... faction in anything I believe that you are right in – but do not expect me to cast away my honour to agree with every single motion you propose. Indeed, if I deem it necessary, I would rather support your opponents, than see anything passed, that - in my opinion - is not good for Rome.”

Celsus drank a bit from his goblet, and finally said,
“We Romans have the privilege of choosing our own fates. Of choosing whom to serve and whom to lead. And I, Publius Herrenius, will not be ordered around the House by anyone. Except for the Gods, I have only one master: myself.”
And with that, he drained his cup and sat back, satisfied with what he had said.

[Ozy]

"It saddens me to hear that is how you see this," said Barba, the siluette of a smile gone.

"We have not joined to kill our individual thoughts, but rather to give them a louder voice. Trust me, Julius, whe I say that this party is not for me or to protect my position, but our nation. With time you will see that. Perhaps with time you will reconsider your decision as well."

[Elendil of Númenor]

"Then, if it really is to protect our nation, we are on the same side," Celsus said with a barely recognisable hint of irony. "Then why is there need for such factions? Publius Herrenius, I have said it once, and I will say it again. If I agree with you and your party in any matter, you will have my full and honest support. If I do not agree, well, then I cannot speak up for you. After all, we are all friends in the Curia until the moment someone disagrees with another."

[Ozy]

"To organize is to succeed, a military man like you knows that. If we work together rather than merely as men who agree with each other, our motions should have more impact on the rest of the House, on all Romans." said Barba, his tone growing in volume with every silable.

"We must become more than a few men in the Curia. We don't want people who support a man, a man who can be corrupted or destroyed, perhaps you won't, but I asure you that most senator's don't think that way. We will form an institution, a party that endorse ideas, not kept by one, but many. That, Celsus, is a much stronger, a more powerful entity."

"Good day,"he said, and walked out of the house.

[Ozy]

A hooded man walked to Celsus's domus. He asked to have a word with the Consul.

[Elendil of Númenor]

“Cavalry on the flank, tria – what, Chiro, what is it?” Celsus looked up from his maps and scrolls.
“A man – a man, domine, at the door; wishes to speak to you.”
“Well, who is he?”
“He did not say, domine.”
Celsus frowned and looked at his steward scornfully.
“Well let him in then, I'll meet him in a second.”

The hooded man was let in, and Celsus greeted him in the atrium, inquiring who he was.

[Ozy]

ooc: been really busy lately, couldn't post before you "left", let's just take it as if this was posted 2 days ago .

ic:

The man entered the room, and waited for Celsus. As he saw him enter, he took of the hood, revealing his identity. He was a tall young man, at least 20 years younger than Celsus. Dark hair covered his head, and his light brown eyes shone under the candle lights, a peaceful aura surrounded him. His entire face resembled someone Celsus knew, his mannerisms and posture like the exact shadow of an other man, but who was it?

"Salve, Consul Celsus," he finally said with a deep voice.

"My name is Spurius Herrenius Pictor. I am Barba's son."

After revealing his identity, it was not hard to finally see in him the young Publius Herrenius Barba, with still not much of a beard to cover his face, back in the early days of his life.

"I sought to speak with you Sir, in the days before your departure, to ask for a favour. I have wanted to join the legions for quite some time, and have received military training in Ariminum. My father has not summoned me to be under his command, but I know that it is time for me to serve Rome, as my ancestors did before me. Knowing your past military exploits, I would be honored if you received me among the ranks of your legions."

The young man looked a little nerveous, yet determined to not leave that house with a no for an answer. He had grown up listening to stories of the past heroes of the Republic, and the name of Marcus Julius Celsus had always been set as a standard for the younger legionaries. He observed Celsus, looking at him like his father did, studying the man, his physical language, undoubtedly the boy was Barba's son... and yet, there was something different about him, more pure. Growing unpatient, he waited for his respose.

[Elendil of Númenor]

Celsus looked at the man. His eyes wondering up and down him. Definitely Barba's son, he decided. He did not say much,
“It would be an honour to have you in my army.” Celsus smiled. “But you'd have to be ready, I'm setting out for Apulania tomorrow.” (ooc: let me speed things up a bit)The young man nodded, thanked Celsus and after a short talk, departed.

. . .

“Who was that man? I thought I've seen him once, but I don't know when.” It was Cornelia, Celsus's wife. She was always polite and knew her place as a woman very well; still, she always found it in her to help her husband, even if that meant speaking to him about things many women in Rome would not talk about. Celsus, however was thankful for an honest and kind voice which he could always consult.
“Barba's son. I guess you saw him when we had dinner at his house a few years ago. I must say, he has grown into quite a man...” Celsus got carried away. Perhaps he could be useful... Barba is a strong man in the Senate; and if he would oppose him... well, his son could be used either way...
“What do you think Julia would think of him?” Cornelia whispered suddenly. Celsus looked up, raised his brows.
“What do you mean?”
His wife stood up from her couch and walked to Celsus. Holding his hand, she sat in his lap lightly. Wrapping her arms around him, she kissed his cheek.
“Oh, you know, Marcus...”
He leaned back a bit, stroking the hair out of her face.
“Well,” he said with a smile, “you do raise an interesting point there.”
She laughed, bending forward to reach his cheek again. Resting her chin on his husband's shoulder, Cornelia asked, with a slight shake in her voice,
“You are leaving tomorrow?”
“At dawn,” was the answer.
“What will I do here, alone, without you?” she asked, squeezing him. This time, Celsus did not answer, simple returned the squeeze. “Promise me, that you will return safe and sound to your wife.” She buried her face in his shoulder, so he wouldn't see the tears. But Celsus took her face in his hands and kissed her passionately on the mouth.
“I will return, Cornelia,” he said after their lips broke apart. “And when I do, I will have saved Rome.”

[Elendil of Númenor]

“Cornelia.”
“Marcus!” Celsus's wife ran out of her room throwing herself into her husband’s arms. She hugged him madly and kissed his mouth, his cheek, his neck, every part of his body she could reach. “Oh, I was so worried.” Tears flowed down her face and she buried her head in Celsus's shoulders.
“I told you, I would save Rome.” Before Cornelia could answer, Celsus continued. “My love, take Julia with you, and get out of Rome. There’s a carriage south of here, get to it and go to Capua. Just get out and – What?”
Cornelia’s tears began to rise again and she was barely able to speak.
“J-Ju-J-Julia was-s-s bi-bi-bit-tten by a s-s-snake l-last night.”
Celsus went pale. No, not pale, white, as white as the starkest of togas, his eyes opened wide in absolute horror. This could not be, this could not be. Not Julia. Not my only daughter, no! She was only thirteen when I left her two years ago, oh gods, I don’t even remember how she looked like! What a beautiful woman she must have been already! So tender, so kind, so loving, so perfect! No, no, no, this can’t be!
Celsus sunk to his knees in the middle of the room, holding onto the table. There was a knife on it, and it cut his hand, but he didn’t feel it. Blood slowly dripped down his arm, but he could not see it. Tears flooded his eyes as he looked up to the ceiling; he screamed. His voice rang across the house, out onto the street. It flew to the stars and surely even the gods looked down in shock at the sound of his voice. Celsus then bent down, falling on his hands, staining the polished stones of the floor with the vivid colour of his blood. Out fell from the folds of his toga the dagger, the inscription on it glittering dully. And as Celsus gazed at it, slowly grief and sorrow were joined by a new feeling just as intense, in his heart. Hatred coursed through him, his hands clenched into fists, his body shook. Cornelia was kneeling beside him, her arms around his shoulders. He looked up at her, and said, his voice barely audible.
“Protect yourself with fire, don’t go out of the house, promise me you will be safe.”
She nodded faintly, watched him stand up and pick up his dagger. She rose after him, savoured the moment when their lips met for a short second…
Celsus then turned, and did not look back. He strode out of the house, his road this time clear. He spotted a black adder slithering on the pavement towards him. It raised it’s head, it’s tongue tasting the night air. Celsus's rage boiled up once again, he lunged at the snake, grabbing it’s head as it tried to attack him. He then squeezed the head with such force, that the skull cracked, the snake’s fangs thrusting into it’s own jaw. Celsus threw away it’s lifeless body lividly; breaking off a torch from a wall, he marched on.
Here I come, Serpent. Let Justice be done, even if the heavens fall.

[Raglan]

(what ever my name is) Herius Aebutius makes his way to visit the returning Senator

[Elendil of Númenor]

To his surprise, Aebutius found nothing but a smoking wreckage where the Celsii domus should have been. There was no sign of Celsus, nor anyone who used to live there.