Domus Geminii Divitis

[Kubrick]

On the central Palatine hill there is a rather new but impressive domus. This large domus is the house of Caius Geminius Dives.

Caius Geminius Dives is a rich patrician and son of consular Spurius Geminius Scaeva. He lives in this domus with his wife Lavinia of the Fabii, his biological mother and their slaves. The presence of his mother is mostly kept secret towards guests, being introduced as an aunt.

The domus is quite large and fits in with the other houses of rich Romans on the Palatine. The interior is beautiful, colourful painting and mosaics cover the walls and floors. In almost every room you can find a statue or bust, portraying gods, war heroes or family members.

Caius Geminius Dives

Life Story

Caius Geminius Dives was born as Caius Sempronius Sophus, his biological father is consular Marcus Sempronius Sophus. Old Sophus was a very wealthy merchant with a short political career in which he served as quaestor and consul. Young Caius however, was very different than his father and during his youth they had many fights. Aged nineteen Caius left the mansion of his father and joined the military. He served ten whole years, most of the time as a military tribune. When he returned home the arguments continued as his father did not agree with his life choices. During this same period his father also became sick, catching the feared phthisis. After a last final fight Caius left and turned towards his fathers greatest rival, Spurius Geminius Scaeva. He shocked several people with this move and also surprised them as consular Scaeva even adopted him as his own son. After that he searched for a suitable wife and through a friend he met Lavinia of the Fabii, the daughter of a well known Fabian. They quickly got along and he used all his charm to ask for her hand. Her father really liked him and even gave them a little extra for building a house. Then he used his life savings to construct a nice domus on the Palpatine hill. With the remaining money he had he is now trying to make a living, having found that buying property and letting small businessman build up a olive-yard there can make the property very valuable. So Caius has been carefully investing into these businesses, having raised a hand full of olive-yards already.

Character

Caius is both blessed and cursed with an above average intelligence. On one side this makes him an intelligent lad that can take good care of himself. On the other side it does not mix very well with his cold personality, making him very cruel at times. He has a bad temper and a habit to judge persons on their first impression. If he thinks he doesn't like you, he never will and you will know it. He also does not care much for other people's emotions and is prone to abusing people he does not care about. A fine example of this is beating slaves when he needs to let loose some cropped up emotions. He turned even more careless and cruel when his little brother died during the Siege of Bononia. He will never forgive the man in charge that day and will do a lot to make him pay for letting his brother die even though he couldn't do anything about it. So in civilian life, Caius Geminius Dives is a ruthless politician who only seems to care about himself and his friends.
In the military however, he is much different. A famous war hero in the First Legion. His wealthy father got him a nice position when he joined and as he proved himself on the battlefield he was quickly promoted and within two years he was a military tribune. His military star stopped rising here and he dedicated his military career to leading maniples and keeping the morale up. Charging the enemy lines together with his maniple every time he could. In battle he was known as the most trusting brother in arms one could find, risking his own life to save that of another on a multiple of occasions. His time in the military is the time he sees as the best thing in his life and that is also where he met most of his friends. His two best friends are Lucius Postumius Albinus, now also a senator and Gaius Atrius Merula, the young son of senator Marcus Atrius Merula. Apart from his wife and mother these are the only people he truly trusts.
In politics he will try to enrich himself and get a glorious career as politician and possibly military commander too. There is never a limit for Caius. If he hates someone, he will work really hard to see him gone. He always hated consular Flavius Julius Corvenus after his brother died under his command. In the end Caius took up the role of prosecutor in the case against him and got him convicted for high-treason. He has no real loyalty to people, he will just do what benefits him. He is however favourable to those who have supported him earlier. If you stand with him you can expect to receive something in return. But in the end he only cares about himself, his wife, his very few friends and above everything gold. Loads of gold.

Overview

Name: Caius Geminius Dives
Age: 32
Class: adopted Patrician
Offices held: Quaestor (486 AUC) Praetor (487 AUC)

Relationships

Spurius Geminius Scaeva - Caius was never close to his adoptive father but did always support him. His recent action however, led to it that Caius no longer actively supports him.

Marcus Atrius Merula - As Merula is the father of his best friend he sees him as a friend, especially after the curia massacre. Caius thinks he can trust him.

Flavius Julius Corvenus - Caius hated this man and blamed the death of his brother Publius on him. Caius had his revenge as he put Corvenus up for trial and got him convicted.

Lucius Postumius Albinus - Together with the son of Merula this is Caius' finest friend. They have known each other for years through the military.

Spurius Horatius Lurco - Caius views Lurco favorably, while only liking his friends and close family he still views Lurco as a wise man and capable ally.

Marcus Sergius Lucanus - Caius views this man as incompetent, as he seems to care about the poor people.

Lucius Valerius Poplicola - Caius has a neutral view on Poplicola, he never really spoke to him personally.

Aulus Licinus Caldius - The hot-headed plebeian. Caius thinks he might be useful.

Flavius Furius Fusus Brenianus - After fighting with many celts, Caius has developed the habit to dislike all of them. It will be unlikely he will ever approach him or even talk to him.

[Kubrick]

Caius smiles as he stands next to the entrance of his mansion, chest after chest is being carried inside his house. The last will of Marcus Sempronius Sophus stated his own blood son would receive seventy percent of this total wealth, including property. He starts laughing maniacally, as he sees the stacks of chests inside the mansion. He can barely walk through the atrium. He never thought his father would leave him something, this had to be fate. Fate had given him more money one man could ever spend.
He knew his father had been rich but.. This was insane. He laughed more, he could do anything he ever wanted to do! He could afford everything! And to this there was also Scaeva's wealth. Scaeva.. Who expected him to enter all his money into the family bank account. Never. Scaeva could get a little, he would claim his father only left him a small amount. Yes, he would do that. In the meantime he would make himself extremely rich.

He saw Kleitos and Xanthos both managing all the guards to get the chests in the mansion, he approached Xanthos. 'Hello old friend, we need to talk in private.' Xanthos the quiet Greek just nodded at him and they walked inside his personal office. 'What is it, Caius?' Caius tightened his fists as he said his name, damn freedman, this man once called him dominus. 'Well Xanthos, my father said he would leave all wealth to me. So.. Once the profits from the mining investments come in you will leave them at my place.' He saw shock in Xanthos his eyes and smiled at him like a mad dog. 'You'd never thought I would've known that did you? Sneaky Greek, I'm sure you and Kleitos would have divided those profits. But no, Caius here knows what his old man was up to! But I will be generous, we all take thirty-three percent.' Xanthos nodded at him. 'Very generous of you, senator. We shall make sure no trails will remain and you will receive your share. But please keep in mind, these profits appear irregular.' Caius padded him on the shoulder. 'Very good, don't worry about that.' Then he left the office.

Once all the guards where gone Caius stood in the atrium and laughed, very hard. So much gold! So much of it! Thank you, Sophus, you weren't such a fool after all, money well spent!

[Nota']

A slave arrives with a letter for Caius. When answered, he says: Greetings from Scaeva, he has found a possible assistant for Caius in the trial of Corvenus. He also says that Aulus the Pleb is still possibly available as he has said he will not sit on the jury. The slave hands over an envelope with a copy of the letter from Lurco.

Spoiler for the letter: 

Dearest Geminius,

First; congratulations upon your recent appointment I write to you concerning this as will be expanded on momentarily. But also my further congratulations on your recent adoption, from the knowledge I have accrued it seems to me that you have taken on a fine young prodigy. And trust me Geminius, in my absence I have acquired vast amounts of information, the amount of which may even rival the amount of coins in your vast vaults!

Now my activities aside my reason for this letter is to request involvement in the upcoming trial, I feel it is my duty as Corvenus' fellow ex-Consul to call him to account for his actions. The manner of this is up to you. We worked together to bring him to this point, we have the scoundrel, all we need now is to run him through with the sword that is Roman justice!

My congratulations again to you and my best regards,
Ever your friend,

Spurius Horatius Lurco

[Merula]

A messenger arrives, he is greeted by a slave at the door, I am to speak to Geminius Dives.

I am sorry, the Dominus is not here at the moment, he is away visiting.

The messenger gives the slave a handful of gold coins,

Ah, he is over at the Villa of Lurco, good day friend. And closes the door hastily.

[Kubrick]

Stabius, Caius personal slave tasked with supervising all other slaves in the house had watched how the messenger bribed the young slave. He observed the messenger's face before he disappeared, saving it in his memory. He never forgot a face.

It was forbidden to release any information without the master's permission. The slave would be punished accordingly, the messenger would be dealt with for bribing the slaves of this noble house. He smiled sinisterly, he couldn't wait until his master returned home. The screams of pain the young lad would shout!

[Kubrick]

After leaving the domus of Lurco, Caius had not directly walked home. He had explored the Palatine hill some more, this hill was amazing. Like it was a big game over who had the biggest and most richly decorated house. And everything was so clean compared to the poorer parts.

When he walked in his house he immediately headed to his office, putting all the business papers on the related stacks of paperwork. All the documents.. Law wasn't the most interesting subject. While he was going through some more parchments Stabius walked in, bowing and smiling sinisterly. 'Dominus, a man came at our house and bribed one of the newer slaves for information about your whereabouts. His skin was dark, very typical face. Definitely African.'
Caius left the paperwork for what it was. 'I see.. Must have been this freedman that works for Merula. To be honest, he made some interesting claims at Lurco's domus. But bribing one of my slaves. He needs punishment. Grab that slave, tie him up in the dungeon. After that, get me that dark African. Time for some interrogation. Bribing a slave is no style!' He smiled, he enjoyed torturing people.

Stabius bowed and left, he gathered a few other strong slaves and send them onto the streets of Rome. With all his contact they would quickly find this servant. Master's will is my command. He hurried towards the dungeon with the young slave.

Meanwhile, the young slave, a captured Gaul who looked quite tidy and civilized for his species, was tied up to a chair, in a small open space of the dungeon. Most of the dungeon was covered in pillars but there was this small open space, perfect for things like this. In the candlelight the young boy looked afraid, he had known he was not allowed to do this but what would they do to him now?
Caius walked in and took a good look at the slave. 'So.. You chose money above your master's wellbeing? An unwise decision as money is what I have plenty while you betray my location for a handful of gold coins. What if this man was an assassin sent out to kill me? I could have been death. And it would have been your fault.' He came closer to the boy, staring into his eyes. The young lad was shuddering in fear. 'Please dominus, I will never do it again.' Caius backed off and laughed, it echoed in the dungeon. 'I am afraid it is too late for that, my boy! In this house there are rules to live by. You obey them and I will feed you, dress you and give you a place to sleep. You disobey them and you.. die.' While speaking he had come closer to the boy again, whispering the last word in his ear.

Caius snapped his fingers and Stabius approached with a pincer. Two other slaves approached and put the boys hand on the table, tightly holding him down. Caius grabbed the pincer and smiled at the slave. 'Now, my boy, dying can go quick and it can go slow and painful. Sadly you will experience the latter today.' He laughed and put the pincer on the fingernail of the boys thumb. He then pulled, the nail let loose, blood spattered around and the boy screamed his lungs out of his body. Caius just laughed while wiping off splats of blood from his face. 'Crying already? We are only starting!' Now Stabius put a whole arrangement of tools on the table. Caius took his time to pick the tools but went for a small saw in the end. He put in on the boys index finger and started sawing, the boy screamed louder and louder while the saw was scraping it's way through the proximal phalanx of the forefinger. After a while the former finger lay on the table in a small pool of blood.

The boy had turned pale and weeped with his head down. Caius enjoyed every minute of this. Enough with the fingers.. He grabbed a small knife on the table and grabbed the boys left ear. The young boy started protesting, asking him for forgiveness but Caius ignored all of it. He stabbed right through the ear and started shredding it to all sides, only with the intention to cause pain and suffering. When he was done he observed the result, useless pieces of flesh where hanging from his head while blood was all over his face. He laughed again.

He put his forefinger on the boys eye. 'You wont be needing those anymore.' He grabbed two sharp needles from the table and pierced both his eyes with each of the needles. The boy was now blind. Blind but still crying for help, for mercy, for death.

This bloodshed continued for a while, more nails where pulled out, another ear was cut off, several toes where removed. After a couple of hours of fun Caius ended it. He stabbed the boy in the stomach and left him to bleed to death. He looked at the slaves. 'I will wash myself now, dispose his body but leave the blood. I'm sure our next visitor can appreciate it.' He smiled, like a true psychopath. The slaves bowed and took away the body. They cut it in several pieces, put it in a large chest and sank it to the bottom of the nearest pond they could find. Meanwhile Caius was laughing while washing off all the blood. The African wouldn't have to endure such a bloody mess, he had thought of some nice ways to torture him.

[Kubrick]

The four slaves walked through the main gate, just as they got inside they felt some resistance in the blanket, the African was regaining his consciousness. They hastened towards the cellar, pulled of the blanket and tied him to the same chair. The seat, the table and the ground where all covered in blood. Everything was sticky and the scent of puke and death was all over the cellar. After that they splatted cold water in Gala's face, rudely awakening him. While he was grasping for air, Caius walked down the stairs. His expensive toga lighting up in the candle light. He leaned on the table and looked at Gala who sat on the other side. 'Hello freedman, we meet again! By now you have probably guessed your location. The mansion of Caius Geminius Dives indeed. Now, care to guess why you are here?' He looked questioningly at the freedman. There was confusion on his face but Gala was stubborn and proud, he straightened his face and said one word. 'No.' Caius laughed. 'You are braver than the last man that sat here! Well, I presume you are interested in to knowing why a rich senator would kidnap a poor freedman from the Aventine. There are two reasons. Reason one is that you bribed one of my slaves, in whose blood you are sitting right now. Reason two is that I want to make sure you spoke the truth about delivering that letter to Corvenus. I don't trust people, it might as well be a clever trick by Merula to safe Corvenus' hide by bringing in a false witness!'

He now leaned forward, close to the face of Gala. 'So, freedman Gala, I will perform some simple acts of torture upon you, I will test you. I know a man's weaknesses and I know when a man cracks, so you will not die tonight. You will endure some pain, speak the truth and then you can safely leave my mansion.' He smiled and grabbed a jar on the table. He pulled of the lid and showed the stuff inside to Gala. 'What is this, Gala?' 'Salt.' Caius nodded. 'Good boy! You know, salt is a fantastic product. It adds flavour to a dish, helps us to preserve food and is quite a good product to merchant. But there's something more about it, it has the nasty habit to sting on sensitive spots. Open wounds for example. Or eyes.' With the last two words a very mean grin appeared on his face. 'I will safe this expensive treat for later.' He winked at Gala and put the jar back.

Caius walked away and started fiddling around and returned with a strange looking device. For a modern man's eyes it would be like a cheese grater, only with less holes, like a couple of small ones in a row. The blades where very sharp. He slammed in on the table. As he started to speak the slaves put Gala's arm on the table. 'Now, this is an interesting little piece of machinery. I designed it myself, I saw woodworkers scraping small strips of wood off large logs and thought of this. I call it a scraper, it's very precise and only scrapes off the top layer, not leaving a big wound. You can literally scrape off thousands of pieces of skin. And the pain? According to victims it hurts. Quite a lot.' A psychopathic grin filled his face as he put the scraper on Gala's arm. Gala moved his head, gesturing Caius to come closer. Caius was curious and leaned forward. 'Your pain wont hurt me, I will take it all upon me. It wont change anything for I know I am speaking the truth.' He then spat in Caius' face. Caius laughed and wiped the spit off. 'Then revel it!'

Caius scraped and scraped, turning Gala's once dark arm into red flesh. The dark freedman didn't show his pain. He kept a straight face, sometimes grunting and squashing his cheeks together. When Caius was done he sighed. 'This is not having the effect I am wishing for. You are a strong man, Gala! Which is the sad part of this, the more I have to torture you.' He grabbed a handful of salt out of the jar. Another maniacal grin appeared on his face as he rubbed the salt in the wounds. Now the pain was too much for Gala to endure and he screamed, his mighty voice echoing in the cellar. The screaming was joined by insane laughter coming from Caius. 'Now you are getting closer!' He grabbed a carafe on the table, a sour smell came out of it. He took a part without salt and dripped vinegar on it. Gala screamed more and more as the sour wine and salt was eating it's way through his open wounds.

He then stopped, Stabius approached and splashed cold water on the wound. The cold water relieved the pain. After that he put an ointment on the wounds and bandaged it. The ointment relieved the burning pain of the wound. The relief was clearly visible on Gala's face. Caius however, was not finished yet. 'Now Gala, the reason why we relieved your pain is for one reason only. So you can endure some more!' He laughed and approached Gala. 'Be honest to me, did you personally deliver a letter to Flavius Julius Corvenus stating that the Republic was allied with Syracuse?' Gala nodded. 'Yes, I did. I swear on it!' Caius padded him on the shoulder. 'Good lad.' He grabbed a knife from the table. 'Now, I have the information I want. I just order you one thing, you will never tell anyone about this. Never. If you will, I will know. I will find you and I will kill you. To remind you of never telling it to anyone I will just leave something to you.' He grabbed Gala's left hand and turned the palm up. With the knife he made two deep cuts, together they formed a large X. He then grabbed some salt and rubbed it very deep inside the wound. 'Just to make sure it leaves a nice scar. And when your master asks, just tell him you where robbed. It happens!' He then grabbed all of the coins and jewelery Gala had with him and gave it to his slaves.

He then clapped. The slaves untied him and dragged Gala to the atrium, there they put on his cloak. Unrecognizable he was guided out of the mansion, tightly held by two slaves. They went back to the alley where they had kidnapped him. In the alley one of the slaves knocked him on the back of his head, leaving him unconsciousness. Caius had his revenge. And the truth.

[Merula]

A messenger arrives with a letter bearing the seal of the blackbird,

Senator Dives,

May I extend my congratulations on a very well won case, that a young man such as yourself was able to bring down Corvenus, a veteran in the Curia is most astounding.

I foresee a very interesting future for you in the Senate, and it is with this thought I invite you to my home to talk over a proposition of mine.

Your friend and colleague,

Consul Marcus Atrius Merula.

[Kubrick]

Caius sits comfortably in his garden, nice and alone. Enjoying a good glass of wine while listening to the birds in the many young trees and bushes. In the background he can even hear his fountain, the splashing of water on such a warm day. Beautiful. He looks up as Stabius arrives next to him. 'Yes?'

'Dominus, a letter for you.' Stabius hands him the letter. He reads it and frowns. 'Interesting..' He wondered what thing Merula would propose. Probably an alliance. He didn't like alliances. He thought about Gaius, probably up there in the north. He missed his army friends. Well, let's waste no time. Caius stood up and left the mansion, heading straight towards the Aventine.

[Kubrick]

Caius arrives at his domus, holding a piece of cloth on his wound with one arm and leaning on a stick with the other. The falcata was still hanging on his leg in the improvised sheath. He had walked all the way from the Capitoline to the Palatine. After Poplicola had dealt with his thug and Scaevola seemed to have stopped fighting he had dragged a few more senators to the improvised sick bay and left. He needed some medical attention too and he was able to go for it himself.
He was however turning a bit pale, he had experience with wounds but he had underestimated his blood loss. He banged the stick on the door. 'Get your lazy arses over here!' In no time the gate opened and several slaves gathered around him, carrying him to his bedroom. 'Stabius, fetch the medicine guy to patch me up! And get me some water!' Stabius just nodded and went his way, shouting at a young slave to get the Greek medicus and fetching another to get chilled water for the dominus.

Laying in his bed with a cool goblet of water Caius realized what had happened. War was back and quite a portion of the veteran senators had been murderer. Good grief. This crisis would hit Rome quite hard. At least they where just old fools and not young soldiers who did the actual fighting. But still.. A spy had managed to get into the Curia and kill the leaders of Rome. At least they paid for it with their lives. Caius sighed as he thought about Merula, the poor man had been deceived. And stabbed pretty badly too. Probably inform Gaius before he hears the rumours. He snaps his fingers. 'Feather, parchment.' A slave hands him a piece of parchment and he writes a small letter.

Dear Gaius Atrius Merula, Tribune of the First Legion,

Before the rumours reach the legionaries I want to inform you that terror has struck Rome. A group of assassins of Carthaginian origin have struck the very heart of Rome by opening a killing spree in the curia itself. Many senators have died but don't worry, your father is still alive. He is however badly wounded and will be confined to bed for a while but I have personally seen him and treated him after the assassination attempt and I can assure you he will heal.

I myself have killed two assassins in the chaos. One of them is one you most certainly know, Gala. The former slave of your father. Everything is fine now.

Gaius, good luck in the south. Hell will break loose. I will do whatever I can to assure the right tactics are employed against the Poenii. Fight hard, no mercy!

Your brother in arms and dearest friend,

Caius Geminius Dives, Senator and Quaestor of Rome.

The slave took the letter and sealed it with his ring. He then looked at his master, awaiting instructions. 'Vibius is the fastest rider, right?' The slave nodded. 'Give this letter to him and tell him to hand it over to Gaius Atrius Merula, junior tribune in the First Legion. And also tell Vibius to be there before the messenger that has the commands to the movement of the legions.' The slave bowed and sprinted away, understanding the speed that was needed.

Meanwhile the Greek surgeon had arrived, he wasted no seconds and started treating his chest wound. His herbs stung but Caius just bit on a piece of rope. While being treated he recognized the man from a few years ago. The very same surgeon that had treated his father. Well.. At least he was good. When the surgeon was done applying the bandage Caius ordered a slave to pay him royally and he left, thanking Caius several times.

Caius thought about his mother, he had not seen her for a few days. He had to find her before the rumours really spread. She could panic easily when she heard of murder in the Curia. After thinking one more time about the terror that had struck Rome he also thought about his own reputation. He smiled. He had killed the attempted assassin of the senior consul of Rome. He had helped the consul to safety and he had also saved the life of a senator very popular with the mass of poor people. Not to think about the many wounded old man he dragged to the benches. The people would love him and he would use it wisely.

[Kubrick]

Another continued post, from the streets of Rome to the mansion of Dives.

Caius was in his garden, sitting in a chair. It was already getting dark and Stabius had lit a few candles. He took a big sip from his glass of wine. The alcohol eased the pain a bit as the wound still stung badly. He observed the glass and grunted. Carthaginian glass. Well, now it was Roman glass.

At the front gate Agrippina and Celsus arrived. She knocked on the large gate. A slave opened. 'What is your business?' He had received explicit orders to be extra careful after the murders in the curia. Agrippina lowered her hood. The slaves eyes widened. 'My sincere apologies, lady.' The gate swung open. Agrippina walked in, Celsus still stood outside, hesitating. 'Come in, Celsus, it is almost dark. Do you want to travel to that hill in darkness after such an event? Tomorrow is another day, you can sleep and eat here if you want. If not you can leave tonight but at least meet my son.' She didn't wait for his answer but just dragged him in. The slave closed the gate behind them and hurried through the atrium towards the garden.

Meanwhile Caius was about to take another sip when the slave appeared next to him. 'Yes?' He bowed. 'Dominus, your mother arrived here. In company of a stranger.' A stranger? Well she wouldn't bring in an enemy. At least she was okay. He raised his head. 'Great, get another two glasses and a carafe of wine. They are probably thirsty.' The slave nodded and walked back in the mansion. With a lot of pain and suffering Caius stood up. The cut was still fresh and hurt every move he made. He smiled as his mother walked towards him. Celsus waited a few meters behind her. He hugged his mother but moved back when he hugged him tightly. His face was in an expression of pain. 'Sorry mother. The wound.' He gestured at the seats. 'Please, sit down. I'm glad to see you, mother, I hope you weren't too worried.' He turned to Celsus. 'And who is our guest?' He smiled to Celsus. When he smiled he almost looked exactly like his father. 'Flavius Julius Celsus, Caius. The son of Gaius Julius Celsus.' Caius nodded. 'A friend of my mother is a welcome guest in my house!'

OOC: If you want to go on with searching for that chamber, please do so. It's up to you whether you take Agrippina with you.

[Elendil of Númenor]

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Caius Sempronius. I do not wish to be rude, but alas, I won't be able to enjoy your hospitality at the moment. There is something I need to find as quickly as possible. I hope you understand.”
He turned to Agrippina.
“My lady. I am sure you will be safe here. Let us hope that we can put our newly gained knowledge to good use. Rest well, the both of you. This has been a long and hard day.”
He bowed deeply and left the room, a slave accompanying him to the gate. He opened it and Celsus went through, returning to the street – leaving the servant slightly taken aback: Celsus had said 'Thank you.'
The sky was quite dark now and most of the light was coming from the torches glimmering on the sides of the street. This was the Palatine – to have so much light was natural. Celsus came down the eastern side of the hill, entering the lower Forum. He took a right and continued south towards the Caelian and the Wall.

[Merula]

A letter arrives bearing the seal of the blackbird,

Quaestor Dives,

As I hear you have looked into these matters already I wish to ask you; would the Res Publica's finances be able to cope with two standing Senate non-socii legions?

In confidence,

Consul Merula

[Kubrick]

Caius lay alone in his bed, having a bad dream. Lavinia was not there with him, she had gone to her father's feast. Caius had congratulated the man but did not join with the feast in his villa outside of Rome, during war he had more important matters to do.
The dream however, was haunting him for now. He was on the battlefield, together with Publius, his brother. Side by side they stood, all alone. Fighting hordes of Celtic soldiers. Publius disappeared while more Celts appeared. He heard his mother weep, as she had done when she had heard of Publius death. He fought more and more Celts, there came no end to it. The end came when a Celtic blade came straight at his face. Instead of dying he found himself awake, breathing heavily, bathing in sweat.

He noticed his window was open and sat upright. Suddenly he heard a voice. 'Bad dreams, senator?' He stopped and looked aside, there was a man. He could not see him, only the outline of his body. 'Yes..' He pushed down the sheets, the cool breeze swayed down his sweating body. 'Are you here to kill me, stranger?' The stranger laughed. 'If I was here to kill you, I would have done it hours ago.' Caius looked puzzled in his direction. 'Then what brings you here?' The stranger seemed to step a bit forward, but he did not enter the moonlight coming through the open window. 'I come here with a message. A message from the south. You are a bright lad, care to guess from who it is?' Caius thought deeply, did he ever fight with a man from the south? Did he ever insult a rich southerner? He could only think of this strange merchant he once had an argument with but he knew that man was not among the living anymore. 'I have no idea, honestly. Just tell me what you want.' The stranger laughed, he seemed to enjoy himself. 'A shame you don't remember those who are so closely related to you. Animus imperat, Caius. Animus imperat.' The mind rules. The family slogan of the Sophi, used by his father. 'Is he alive? Is he st-' The man did not let him finish speaking but rather let a blunt object slam his head knocking him unconsciousness. 'Sleep well.' He stepped out of the room, towards another room.

In another room, a small one that actually was not a bed room, he found her. The 'widow' of Sophus. In her hand she put a small scroll containing a message from Sophus himself. After that he left through the window.

My dear do not fear. I am among the living. Wait and keep silent.

- Marcus

[Nota']

A slave comes bearing a letter, it bears the seal of the Geminii. While waiting for the letter to be taken he looks around, disgusted at the decadence. He was a greek, of the old view. Like father, like son. What a terrible place Rome is, everywhere people flaunt their wealth, how the gods must be offended.
The letter is taken from the slave and he turns back to travel back to his master's home.
The letter reads:

Dear Caius,
I have yet to leave Roma, although I plan to leave by tommorow. I have heard news of the consul's proposal to take Sardinia from the treacherous Carthaginians. I urge you to support this, it will benifit Roma, help the Senate save face to that fickle mob. I still have Rome's best interests at heart, even if she has chosen to turn her back on the man that has helped her so much. Besides, new land for Rome benefits me too.
I shall see you again when I return, either because of Rome's love or hate of me.

Sincerly,
Spurius.

[Kubrick]

The fool, thought Caius as he read the letter. In such a time of crisis he left Rome for his little private army up north. Did he think capturing a few Gallic towns would make the Senate like him again? It would make it even worse! There was nothing he could fix with that army. Unless.. No, he would not be such a fool. Scaeva was a smart man, not a rebel against all odds. Caius threw the letter in the fire. He would send Quintus to vote for him. He had to find that other old fool. He changed his clothing, leaving the toga praetaxta at his house. No need to attract attention. He also took his large dark cloak, to merge in with the mob.

He send a slave to Quintus with the message to vote in favour of military expeditions in his name. He took a pouch of coins and a falcata with him. Not just any falcata, the one he had captured in the Curia itself from the hands of that treacherous slave. Prizes made the best equipment.

He then left his house for the streets of Rome, he had an idea where his father would be hiding.

[Tazgrent]

A bored looking slave shambles up to your door, bearing a sealed letter

Certainly, my dear Senator. Once the Curia finishes its business for today you can expect my presence. I look forward to having allies in this trying time.
Regards,
Vibius Aemlius Strabo

[Tazgrent]

A party presents itself at your doorway. It cosists of Senator Strabo, his doctor, and a herald.

"Presenting the honorable Senator Vibius Aemelius Strabo!"

[Kubrick]

The slave at the door bows to the senator. 'My master was expecting you.' He gestures inside. 'Please enter and follow me to the dining room.' As they enter the dining room Caius was already laying down while speaking to another slave. '..-No! Just give him more, he'll do it when he sees plenty of gold.' The slave is seen nodding. 'I will win this campaign, now go forth!' The other slave leaves and Caius notices his guest. He stands up and smiles at senator Strabo. 'Greetings, Senator! It pleases me to see you here. I looked forward to personally meet you in a nicer environment than the curia.' He gestures at the benches. 'Please, lay down.' A slave arrives with glasses of wine. He even brought two for Strabo's assistants. 'Enjoy some wine, diner will be served after it.'

[Tazgrent]

Thank, you Senator.

Strabo took a reclined position, and began sipping his wine. His herald took a cup of wine gladly and moved to talk with the other slaves in the room. Strabo's doctor took a position standing behind his master and silently refused his own cup.

Now... I assume the topic of this conversation is to be the upcoming elections? I have not been from Rome for so long to have become blind to the way politics are run...