Insula of Quintus Tullius Rufus

[Elendil of Númenor]

The man from the balcony ran back inside, lit some more candles and opened the door to the stairway. He had five small chambers on the second floors, all decorated with gold and silver, with all kinds of stones as ornaments. The style was neither poor nor too extravagant. Perfectly neat and elegant. The furniture was well polished, and windows were placed on both sides of the insula - here you could see the city, there you could have a clear view of the sprawling Subura. The latter side contained the balcony opening above the narrow alley.

[Maiar93]

Not soon after the man had lit up the candles, Flavius opened the door and stepped in. He was at first shocked by the state of the once beautiful house, and the smell disgusted him a bit. But nevertheless he smiled:
Hello. As you seem to know my name and more, i'd like to know more about you. What is your relation to Him and his droogs? Why'd you send the filth away? I could've dealt with them my own way, but i guess you had your reasons.
I guess he just saved me from more trouble.

[Elendil of Númenor]

OOC: What’s the problem with the house – I thought it wasn’t that bad.

“Him? What him? You’re talking of that fool Decimus up at the end of the street. He sends his thugs into the outskirts to threaten or rob poor Romans. I must say, a man of your status surely has better things to do than to fight this lot.”
He drew some fine chairs – all covered with soft and comfortable material.
“I know, I know,” he said with a frown, “not too Roman, but there isn’t any space for recliners. I am Quintus Tullius Rufus, at your service.”
He sat down for a moment, looking at Corvenus.
“Now, you must be wondering about – this,” he waved his hand around the room, “and why or how I sent those men away. You see, I am a… businessman of the Subura. Probably the only Patrician down here, and the only one who hasn’t entered the Senate. I learned a lot here. Even though I live in this apartment, I was able to fill it with reasonable wealth. You see, I believe in a well organized and self-driven life. I don’t have any slaves. Not because I couldn’t, but because there is no need. I can do things myself, and I trust them to be done only by me. This policy has, in fact, kept me on my feet thus far.
“Those men down there? They are a nuisance I still didn’t have the chance to deal with, somehow. I loath all the stupid criminal activity in this city. All these men thinking they have power above others, these thugs and gangs, these robbers and so-called crime lords, these secretive groups, these self-centered people plaguing our city.”
He jumped up. “Oh, I even forgot why I invited you!” He walked to a cabinet made of dark wood but filled with carvings made with true perfection. Opening a door, he pulled out some jars.
“Falernian, Surrentine, Setian, even Alban. Or this one here, it’s from some island South of Capua. A bit too sweet and bold in taste,” he said, grinning while he took two beautiful, empty goblets to the table. “I wouldn’t recommend the others down there,” he pointed to a second row of jars he did not pull out, “their taste is uncharacteristic and weak.”
He then put a middle-sized bowl on the table filled with different types of well baked breads and tasty biscuits. “They don’t make these on the Palatine, Senator.”
A glass cup of water was also set on the table to dilute the wine.

[Maiar93]

Flavius took Falernian, and sipped from the goblet. Yes, that is enough information, thank you. Those men were clearly part of something larger. But let's forget it for a while shall we...
Yes, i've heard of you.. i think it was through Sophus. You propably know the man, old, nowadays the Consul.
He took a sip from the goblet, and stood up. I appreciate that you don't have any slaves. I don't have any slaves either, but i have servants, free men who get good pay. He looked around the house again, could use some repairs. Flavius noticed the windows, and he went to the window where you could see the Subura. Do you see a lot of these criminals around here?

[Elendil of Númenor]

“Oh many people use this alley,” Rufus said lightly. “It’s the shortest route from the Forum to the Quirinal. And it isn’t so frightening at daylight.”
He sat down to pick one of slightly salty biscuits. “Nighttime is different, of course. I have nothing to fear, I live on the second floor; the stares creak. Not that anyone would want to come up here,” he added with a chuckle.
Sipping his wine – much lighter than the Falernian – he gazed at Corvenus. “You know, I find it interesting that a man like yourself only keeps servants. Or that you wander these streets at such times. I do not wish to be rude, but would you please explain what you were looking for here? Those thugs don’t attack anyone unless they are ordered to, and Decimus isn’t so insane as to assault a consular.”

[Maiar93]

Flavius thought for a moment.
They didn't attack me, other than maybe verbally. I didn't feel threatened. But i have a purpose here, and it is to get information. I am suspecting that this Decimus - and his droogs are a part of something larger.
He eyed the man curiously. 'I shouldn't reveal too much information before i'm sure of the man.'

[Elendil of Númenor]

“It may well be.” Rufus sighed. “You would be shocked if you knew how many illegal businesses are present and working together in Rome for their own profit. As someone who works mostly as a merchant, I was, er, fortunate enough to get to know most of them. I just wish I had the power to do anything against them apart from keeping their lesser men threatened.”
He looked tired.
“Perhaps you thought about things like the murder at the end of last term? Strange things happen in this city, and as long as criminals are everywhere, they will keep on happening. Alas I can’t find anyone who would be able to stand up against the villains of Rome. Perhaps I'm just too much of an idealist.”

[Maiar93]

Flavius eyed the man again, but this time it was but a short glance. Then he sighed:
Yes, I don't know that either. But perhaps you can help me. What do you know about them?

[Elendil of Númenor]

“Well, they work in different areas of the city. They have separate leaders, who interact and do the bigger deals between themselves. Who and what do you want to know about?”

[Maiar93]

Stupid question. I want to know everything..better to start with something, though.
First, what relations do these criminals and fake merchant have on the Senate and it's members?

[Elendil of Númenor]

“Well there’s the current Consul for example, Scaeva. Strange things, really strange. He hasn’t been accused of anything – yet – but there are a few trails that lead to him in quite scandalous things. You know, gold has weight. Especially about 300 talents of it.”
Rufus kept on talking, giving other examples about businesses unseen by most ‘noble’ Romans. Feeling that the reader of this tale would not be interested in an unexciting monologue, nor does this writer feel like delivering it here and now, I will just say: Corvenus stayed at Rufus’s insula for about two hours, sipping through a bottle of Falernian and learning more and more about the saddening situation in his beloved city. He continued answering questions after that, filling the consular in on as much information as he had told Praetor Poplicola months ago. Finally, the host stood up.
“Thank you for accepting my invitation, Flavius Julius. I was more than honoured that a man like you stepped into my modest home.”

OOC: Sorry, but things have slowed down too much.

[dragoon47]

Lucius walked down the streets to the apartment, wine in hand, one of the famous brands and stopped for a moment a couple turns down. The entire meeting was a sham for this...Fox, to find out who Rufus was, speaking of which where the hell did he go? Lucius lost track of the man ten minutes before but he assumed he must he following him discreetly, no matter, the meeting is a sham but at least the wine isn't. He continued his walk toward the Insula.

[Elendil of Númenor]

Rufus was already opening the door for Corvenus when he heard someone knocking downstairs. Was it that late already? He glanced out through the window. The sun was already rising.
“Well, it seems we have another guest?” he said merrily to the consular. “Please, wait here, I’ll open the door.”
He stepped out, ran down the stairs, his hand was already on the handle when he heard a voice outside.
“I am sorry, Praetor.”
The sound of Poplicola’s yell combined with a gasp also came through as Rufus burst through the door. The two men in front of him froze. Poplicola was falling backwards, his neck displayed as the man behind him was pulling his head back by his long hair. The knife in the man’s hand was inches from the throbbing blood vessel on the Praetor’s throat.
“You?!” the assaulter hissed. His hair was red and the orange-crimson fur of a wild animal was coiled around his neck.
Poplicola saw his chance; he elbowed the Fox in his ribs, while Rufus had already drawn a thin dagger with lightning speed. The attacker lost his step for a second, and then launched himself at the Praetor again. Poplicola ducked while Rufus jumped forward. He grasped the arm of the assassin and pulled it up, bringing his weapon to a safe distance, while Rufus’s own sank into the Fox precisely at the heart. He held his hand close to the dying mans wound, making sure the blood that splattered on the cold pavement was minimal. The face that displayed utter shock and bewilderment soon turned into a blank stare, the skin taking up a grey and white hue.
“They know I’m working against them!” Rufus was panting, his own face paler than usual. He crouched down with the body. “This man is the Fox. One of the Order’s assassins.” He looked up at the Praetor. “So you have visited them. Get inside. Up the stairs. You’ll find Corvenus there. Stay there, until I come back. You may have been followed. And I need to find someone who will get rid of this mess.” Rufus was visibly restraining himself – he shook with anger. “Move!”
He slammed the door after Poplicola, leaving the two men alone in the finely decorated, yet well hidden apartment.

[dragoon47]

Lucius' head was throbbing from the jerk on his hair, bastards betrayed me. I don't know what's worse, the fact that I let them or that they did it in the first place. Apparently the guilty aren't the only people they value killing, from what I've seen they're worse than Publius and others like him, at least he wouldn't do something like that! Lucius slowly gathered his sense and looked up at Corvenus who might have been in shock, after all, he had gone through so much trouble to avoid being seen in public for fear of Lucius' lictors. Ironic considering there was no longer any evidence against him, he would only receive basic punishment for the mistake at Syracuse though his career would be put into question.

So, what brings you here Corvenus? Social trip? Gah! Lucius ducked his head back down as a searing pain that swam vertically from the top of his head down broke all concentration. Lucius looked down at his hand and laughed uncontrollably. After an attempt on your life you never dropped the bloody bottle?! You've got it bad Lucius.

[Maiar93]

Ah.. i was down at the street, gathering information.. while i was interrupted by this man. He wanted to help me, he said, and he did. He told me lots of things, but still.. i am not sure.

He looked outside from the balcony while talking. After he had finished, he turned to Lucius, and stepped down from the balcony to his level of ground, and stopped just in front of him. You seemingly want to arrest me. Or if not, you are here to question me. Let me tell you: my cause is pure. And if you want to keep your life, you will not tell anything about that you saw me. It would be great interferance. But now when we finally face each other, alone, man to man, i am happy. I can tell you a lot of things. Firstly, you have gotten yourself into deep trouble by doing this, Lucius. You, or me, we're not enough to stop what will come. But please, let us move to somewhere more silent, where we can talk alone with no fear of anyone listening to us. He smiled. He knew that Lucius could not resist the temptation of information, and he hoped that he could use him to further his and Celsus's cause. 'To save Rome..', he thought.

[dragoon47]

This search sure is far more trouble than I first thought, I could be first man in Rome by now but to the other senators, I've all but wasted their time and money on this enterprise, money the law offices won't be getting back. If I don't start finding answers soon I may have to abandon the entire venture, then again, who knows what kind of assassins the Order would set against me if I did anyway. Time to do what you're good at Lucius, time to stumble around in the dark until you find the light, following a madman into a room where no one can hear you scream...lovely. Lucius trod into the next room.

[Maiar93]

Flavius closed the door, and then went to the table. He gestured Lucius to sit down on the table, whilst he lit a candle and then sat down himself.
Lucisu Valerius Poplicola, Praetor of Rome. You have gone way deeper than anyone would've expected. Let me explain some things, now that we're here.

Now, Lucius.. all what I and Celsus are doing, are for the best of Rome. Certain senators do not want the best of Rome - and this is why i am labelled a madman. To hinder a man's efforts for the best of Rome, to get more money or whatever gains they see in this madness..
He spoke silently, so that only Lucius could hear.
You propably don't know this, and you won't propably even trust me, or Celsus. Well, a regular Praetor wouldn't, he'd just arrest me and put me in shackles. But you are different, Lucius. You see deeper. You could even help to save Rome!
Random noises were heard from the outside, the room was at the second floor but had a window with a curtain on front of it, which made the room's temperature rather chilly. It was already evening outside. The last blinks of sun falling down on the horizon lighted up the table's corner, but while Flavius talked it faded away until only the candle was there to light the room. There is a lot which i am not sure of... he gazed the door in his thoughts.
Lucius, i'll ask you to not interfere with me or Celsus anymore. I will give you enough information for you to continue your quest - which brings a question to my mind. What is your mission here? What do you think you could do for this matter?! Unless you get the Order as your allies or wish to help me and Celsus, you will never be able to do anything else than touch the first chambers of this great maze. He looked at the window, the slightly smelly and cold air swayed the curtains while passing through it.

[dragoon47]

"Celsus"? What is he blabbering about? You're labelled a madman because you don't think before you act. I see deeper than you at le-aaahhh! Lucius clutched his forehead again and smashed his fist on the table in agony, cack! I thought he only pulled my hair! This pain will last me the week at this rate, bloody Celt! Lucius massaged his head and spoke with a gruff to his voice. It seems your failure against Carthage has lessened that vice somewhat so I'll let that whole affair pass for now, some other praetor can arrest you on the charges. His groans during his speech were beginning to calm as the wave of pain relaxed, allowing him to collect some thoughts.

I must ask first, who in Hades is this Celsus you keep going on about and how do you know about the Order of The Wolf? Did they start handing out party invitations? I came here because a man named Quintus of the Tulii, named Rufus approached me at my villa and enlightened me to a great many things that were transpiring in the city. Is this Celsus of yours part of the same organization? Lucius hunched his head over the table.

[Maiar93]

Flavius watched carefully when Lucius felt pain, and smiled before he could talk. Are you sick?
Then, catching his thoughts, he turned to answer to him. He held this tongue, though, thinking: 'He really isn't worth the information.. he cannot see through this..but i know the tale of Rome, and he doesn't. But i don't trust him..'

You can perhaps ask somebody you know about Celsus. But that somebody will not be me. Lucius, you didn't understand even half of what i just said. You don't see under the skin of this whole structure.. i cannot help you. Have fun, Poplicola. Smiling sarcastically, he stood up and left the room, leaving Lucius in the room alone. He quickly left the building, thinking of where to find Celsus.

[dragoon47]

Lucius left the Insula, carrying himself in what, to the untrained eye, would be a drunken stupor. A pattern that he was forced to take the entire walk home. This was a waste of time.