Thermae Romae

[Tazgrent]

Ah, the baths. The room is steamed with hissing water. This is the place to slither into a nice warm pool, and feel the heat course through you like venom. Or, scale the steps up to the gymnasium for exercise. Whatever you do, have fun. The water won't bite!

[Bull3pr00f de Bodemloze]

Yay, I got all of the inside jokes.

[Nota']

*Consul Spurius walks in and then sinks into the steaming water, at first the heat makes him uncomfortable, (he had just come from a cold pool) but he soon gets used to it. The baths had been empty of late, the rebellion taking away peoples time and patience for pleasure.*
"This is not good, I shall have to bring my clients soon if this place doesnt get more lively!" he said to himself.
*Spurius then ducks under the water, testing how long he could hold his breath, proving he wasn't past his prime to himself*

[AspisPhalanx90]

Septimus enters the Bath house, tired and frustrated from the constant labors of the Senate. Tired from constantly at work...politics, war, they never end. He sunk low into the steaming water, fully immersing his old wounds and scars. He beckons to his attendent for a scroll and some wine, and begins reading. Even at rest he must work. It was as he was beginning to read that he saw a man attempting to test his lung capacity, he soon realized that it was the Consul

Spurius Geminius Scaeva! enjoying the baths i see. Tired of the bickerings of the Senate floor?

[Crozimodo]

Gerges lay face down on a table near the pools whilst slaves rubbed oil into his body, he raised his head as Septimus entered and lazily raised his arm in a gesture of greeting.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Greetings Tribune, how are you this fine evening? It seems it is a good day for the baths

[Crozimodo]

I am surprised to hear you greet me by that title Septimus, many Senators do not even acknowledge that the Tribunate has not officially been dissolved. Still here I remain carrying my title and my head held high in the hopes of protecting the people of our city.

As to your question it indeed is a perfect day for a soak and I find that my own baths lack that social sense. How fares your day?

[AspisPhalanx90]

You were rightfully elected by the People, Gerges. Do not forget that. Would i forget that i was once Consul, granted during that tumultuous time of Gracchus. While the senate may not recognize the office, it is simply because of the Gracchus affair. They are scared because one man chose to abuse a position. Tell me, would we abandon the Consulship if one of the Consuls decided to instigate a revolt? Would we eliminate the Censor position because one man who holds the office issues black marks on every senator? what about Quaestor? It is semantics, you are Tribune, you will stay Tribune until the people decide otherwise. I just pray you do not go the same route as Gracchus.

[Nota']

*The consul surfaces.*
What was that Gaius? *Gaius repeats himself.*
Ah, oh yes, I'm a bit confused as to why I am so closely with Pallas' damned motion, I merely put it to vote and said that the construction of shrines is cheap compared with raising a legion! Oh never mind, senate matters for the senate eh Gaius? *Spurius notices Gaius' scroll.* Or not... Come Senator, you must not work in the baths, where else is a man to be free of work, if not the baths? Engage in conversation, enjoy yourself!
Ah Titus I didn't notice you there, at least you know how to relax, poor senator Gaius here has taken work to the baths!
*Spurius chuckles and picks up a nearby cup of wine and begins to drink, although it is dubious as to whether it was originally his to drink*

OOC: I wrote this before I noticed the previous two posts (they weren't there when I started, I swear!)

[Crozimodo]

Indeed he has cast a long shadow even in his death but you are correct, the bedrocks of this Republic cannot be shifted by one man and never shall. Those who cower from his shadow in the Senate will come out of it in time, he had few supporters and most have been rooted out. The people are quieted and the city is safe once more, it could have gone far worse than loosing the Curia.

They do not hold the same faith in me as they did in Gracchus, he pandered to them, he was one of them, I am not. I am far too aloof for them to do for me as they did for him so do not have any fear of it occurring under my time as Tribune. At the elections I shall call for the position to be voted on as it should have been earlier this year, until then I will carry myself as Tribune.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Gaius turned towards Gerges

It is the power of Veto the senate fears most i think.

Looking back down at his scroll, Gaius Julius responds to Spurius' comment

Consul, diligence is key to success. One always must stay on top of things, so that even when his opponents think he is not paying attention he really is.

Gaius chuckled..
If only i was actually working, no i am just reading a letter i had written earlier to be sent out. One of my former Tribunes in the Legions, a good man

[Nota']

Do remember Titus that you were not without supporters. While many subscribed to Gracchus' false promise, there were those who did not, and saw him for what he really was. They knew his promises were impratical. The plebs need someone to look up to, but not be separate from. I think you will find that you are still the man for the job. We shall have to find you a partner though...

[Crozimodo]

What do you think of Gaius Cassius Caudexis as Tribune, in the past he has proven a good man and I believe he has held the position before. He seems sound of mind and following a governorship he seems unlikely to strive for power in his first year of return he would need to gather support.

What say you two?

[Nota']

I am afraid I do not know the man that well. If you say he is a good man, I am sure he is. Alas, it is not up to us to decide the tribune though, those fickle people the plebs must decide. I am sure if he has support and he can make a show, the plebs will love him. I cannot help but wonder if the postion has any power at all now? How will the tribunate veto anything without the name Gracchus being mentioned. I am afraid Titus, he has tainted the position, the senate and the Patricians will not easily forget what a tribune attempted to do to them. Will you exercise your veto now, when doing so could turn the senate against you, and give your enemies weapons to use against you?

[Crozimodo]

If I do not show willingness to exercise the privilege of the position in situations that demand it I will be shown as weak, under the thumb of those who feel they can crush the position with a flick of the wrist. I hope I do not need to use the veto as I shall only do so if I feel something is not in the people's best interests but the recent activity of the Senate has been of a positive nature.

Rest assured if I feel I must exercise my veto I shall, I pray I do not need to. Strong men are not afraid of a name and that is all that Gracchus is now, nothing more.

Gerges left the table to slip in to the heated pool, sighing as he felt the most relaxed he had been in seemingly months.

[AspisPhalanx90]

I would save that power of veto. Let time run its course, they will soon forget that the tribune wields significant power. Besides Cassius, the Senate has not officially eliminated the position of Tribune. Legally, it still holds all of the power, and whether or not you have the hold of the people it does not matter. you do not need the people to veto once you have been elected.

Septimus beckons to the attendant to come over. The attendant comes briskly over, and takes the scroll and places hot wax on it. Septimus seals it, and promptly beckons for once again another scroll, and a cup of wine

[chaplain118]

Pallas enters the baths, his unnaturally pale body seemed out of place in the baths. He looks more gaunt by the day, as if an invisible disease is eating away inside of his body. His eyes were now larger because of his hollow face and his gaze was intensified. Murmurs rose up, and he brushed them aside. He had been persecuting members of the men who had raped the vestal virgins. He convicted seventeen but knew there were hundreds. Those seventeen men were dead now, their bodies rotting somewhere in the Tullianum. His stint as Praetor had been fruitful, and he surveyed the baths before entering the water quietly. Steam curled around him. He flexed his fingers and felt at the smooth protrusions at his knuckles. The waters continued to steam. He turned to the other men.

Gentlemen, I hope these baths are treating you exceedingly well?

[Nota']

*Spurius' wine induced smile faded*
Ah Praetor, the baths are enjoyable, but the waters a tad too hot for me.
*Spurius shuffles a tiny bit away from Pallas, clearly made slightly uneasy by his presence.*

[chaplain118]

Hot, is it? I feel still an indescribable chill running through these waters, almost as if the gods are somewhat displeased at the turn of events. I do sincerely hope that those who opposed the plan to honor the gods will find some way to justify it before them. The gods are such fickle beings are they not, consul? They sweep through men's lives and impose their wills upon them, they are meant to descend from up high and give guidance to our lives yet they remain as aloof as ever.

Oh the things we could do with a living god amongst us, to truly guide us, to lead us away from the temptations of our decadent lives. Wouldn't you say, consul?

He opened his hands underwater, releasing the papyrus rolls of the object he had been holding into the water. It released the quicklime that had been grounded to a fine powder into the waters. A strong hissing noise echoed in the baths as the water around Pallas bubbled and sent columns of steam and smoke upward. Pallas remained unmoved in the hot water, his gray eyes locked with Spurius', expecting an answer.

[AspisPhalanx90]

Ah greetings friend! Although i did not expect to see you in the baths ever. Next term Pallas, i assure you, things will be changed

Septimus sipped his wine slowly, staring at Pallas as if to communicate something without words