Domus Rutuli

[chaplain118]

The house of the gens Rutula Aventina, an old Equestrian family that has dubious claims to Patrician status but no relations to Plebeians.

[dacder]

*A Punic Messanger arrives knocking on the door*

[chaplain118]

The man is shown in, and placed in a hold by a strong slave. Pallas stands over the messenger and sneers

So, you have chosen my house as a place to spread your lies. Speak, and remember that your life depends on it. Though how you managed to enter the city still confounds me.

[dacder]

*The punic messenger spits on the senator*
"Under even the heaviest torture I will not break.Long live Carthage!"

[chaplain118]

Pallas wiped the spit from his face. He did not seem in any way fazed.

So then why come to me? Just to taunt? Stabius.

A slave walked in.

Bring me the needles from the women's quarters will you? And a jar of salt, if you will. And Demetrios, release our bondsman. If he has chosen me to speak to, then he must have something important to say. Though bound him to the chair that he is to sit in. In case wondering eyes do find their ways here. So, Punic. Why have you come?

The needles and salt were brought, and Pallas eyed them eagerly. He would enjoy every moment of this.

[dacder]

"The traitor knows you have ambition and you can help us.If you are to give information on what is going in the senate it will make you a very very rich man.The Carthaginian senate offers 25,000 Denari and no less!"

[chaplain118]

I'm afraid that's out of the question. Take a look around you. My riches are sufficient for me. What your senate offers me I will reject. And at least you were honest. I appreciate honest men. And so, I shall give you riches of my own. You're from the sandy shores of Africa, and thus you no doubt have first hand experience with the salt mines that are so profitable.

Pallas stood up and walked around his tied prisoner. He carried the pan of salt in his hands and sifted through the coarse grains.

Wondrous substance, salt is. It can cure meat, preserve them for years. It can clean wounds. And it is valued to be worth more than gold at times. And when applied on sensitive areas of the body...

He pressed a handful of salt against the Punic's eye, slowly rubbing the grains against the pupil. If he had to guess, he would say the screams of the man could be heard all the way to Carthage.

Extraordinarily painful. And the pain does not abate, does it? It simply grows worse with each second. How... insidious

He removed his hand and smiled. There were stains of blood on his hand.

Don't worry, Punic. We have all night. Shall I see what happens when I begin inserting the needles?

He waved a single needle in front of the messenger's eyes, brushing it at the edge of the man's eyelashes.

[dacder]

*The Punic Messenger again spits in his face*
"You can see pain does not matter much to us you roman swine!"

[chaplain118]

Pallas continued to smile. Without another word, he inserted the needle into the man's neck, careful to avoid any major veins. The needle was inserted just underneath the skin so that it was barely buried parallel to the skin. When he had inserted six needles to each side, he grabbed the Punic's face and violently rocked him back and forth, breaking the needles.

Then revel in it

[dacder]

*Pallas then noticed it was a young man who obviously had courage*
"Why are you even torturing me for the fun of it"
*And then he spit blood right into Pallas's eye*
"Blood has salt in it as well."
*He said to Pallas now writhing in pain*

[dacder]

*The young man continued*
"And another carthiginian would have killed grachhus by now."

[chaplain118]

Pallas wiped the blood from his eyes and wrapped the remainder of the rope around the Punic's neck. Tying a knot, he watched as the man turned blue and then walked calmly back to his chamber

[AspisPhalanx90]

A messenger approaches the residence, completely disregarding what may have been happening inside.
I bring a message from Gaius Septimus. He wishes to speak with Aventinus at his camp, as he cannot enter the city. He wishes to discuss some important states of the Republic, i cannot say what exactly.

[AspisPhalanx90]

There is a knock at the door. The Consul was waiting, flanked by two lictors bearing the fasces (no axes within them, as he is in Rome), a slave answered the door, somewhat disheveled at the appearence of a Consul, as well as prior events within the domus

I wish to speak with your master, i sent for him earlier, but seeing as i am now in Rome, this is not necessary. Please tell him i have arrived

[chaplain118]

I am sorry, but my master is not in. He has left the house and gone to the Cu--

The slave stopped midsentence when he saw Pallas walking back to the house with Scaurus on his shoulder.

Make way, Stabius. Really, the consul of Rome is here. Let him in. Consul, so good of you to have gotten my message. Please, join me inside. Lucius Aemilius will be with us as well. It truly was divine intervention that he has lived. So long as he is alive, the hopes of the Senate will live on, wouldn't you agree?

Pallas smiled. Once again, his eyes were emotionless as ever.

[AspisPhalanx90]

The Consul entered the house, and had his Lictors stand guard just outside

Lucius....you look terrible...quite a rough day it seems, but thank the gods you live. Wine? Please forgive me for my appearance, i have not had time to change my attire *he motioned at the scarlet he was wearing, and the elaborately decorated gladius on his hip*

Julius took a flask of wine out of his robes, drank some, and offered it to the Senators

It is good that you are both here. After todays events, there are some very serious matters to discuss. I fear for the fate of the Republic...we must never allow something of this nature to occur ever again in Rome.

Septimus looked worn out, battered, yet full of eagerness, as well as determination

[chaplain118]

Pallas smiled again. Pouring a cup of wine to Scaurus, he offered the old man a drink before drinking as well.

Indeed, we do. So, tell me, consul. Why have you first of all requested my presence?

[AspisPhalanx90]

You have a gift Pallas. I have heard of your exploits at the rostra...you have influenced the people. You also firmly defended the proconsul here when he held office. You are bold, and because of that, you have my respect. It is fortunate that both of you are here. The Republic is in shambles, while order is restored, it will not last. Power, it seems, is floating between every magistrate in rome, and if we do not grab hold, it will be lost i fear....Perhaps drastic measures are necessary..

the Consul took another sip of wine...looking over at Pallas and Lucius from above the rim of his goblet

[chaplain118]

Drastic measures. Scaurus scoffed. There would be no need for drastic measures after today. The people have been calmed, the legions are stationed nearby in the Campus Martius. We have quelled all internal rebellion, so it would seem, and must once more focus our attention outward. We are still beleaguered by enemies and cannot afford to be distracted by incidents such as this.

True, Scaurus, but we cannot ignore incidents such as this, now can we? But tell me more about your... drastic measures, consul. What would they entail?

[AspisPhalanx90]

Exactly Scaurus, as you said...so it would seem. The Curia is in ruins, senators have been killed. Pallas, i feel you see where this is headed already. Scaurus, i do not think we can treat this as a distraction. If we cannot get the republic to run smoothly, there will be no outward attention. armies in the field will be confused with no orders coming from Rome. the provinces may yet rebel, seeing the disorder even here in Rome.

the Consul took a long sip of wine before continuing

This is merely a suggestion...but perhaps we must reinstate the office of Dictator for 6 months, to avoid anymore squabbling and debate while we attempt to rebuild was has been severely damaged by today's events