August 21st, The Consualia

[Pontifex Maximus]

Throughout the city preparations were being made for the celebration of the Consualia, a festival marking significant Roman events including the Rape of the Sabine women. The festival, however, is in honor of the god Consus, in order to protect the year's harvest. Neptune and Mars are also honored, an archaic reference to a time before the Roman religious institutions had developed their cultural gods to their normally accepted roles respectively.

In the streets beasts of burden roamed freely, adorned with garlands and other decoration, being exempt from labor after the hard plowing of previous weeks. The Circus Maximus was abuzz with races, the Populus Romani wandering in and out of the massive complex between races to enjoy the festivities on the streets. Public handouts of food and wine were held. Later the underground temple of Consus would be uncovered for the first time this year so the flamens could perform the necessary rites and the grain could be stored.

This event was very much watered down from its early Republican roots, but the event still served as an opportunity for festivities.

[PatrickR]

Aulus Terentius Fiber wandered the streets of Roma, helping in distributing the food and wine that the house of Fiber had personally donated, taking in the festive atmosphere of the moment and making sure that the plebs of his area knew his name.

[Dark Storm]

Gnaeus Claudius Tranquillus donned normal clothes, and walked the streets acting as a normal citizen, enjoying the festival as a commoner, tasting what life would be like if he wasn't a senator. No one would recognise him, giving him a chance to enjoy the festival.

[Lanthe]

Aulus Junius Horatius walks up to his seat on the balcony to have generally good view of the festival.
Even tough he has been rumored to get merry on some occasions he for now just sets back and enjoys the festival modestly and alone.

[Dark Storm]

ooc- Though mate, though

[Lanthe]

ooc- Though mate, though

Occ - How come?

[Pontifex Maximus]

Severus Magnus sat in the Senatorial seats of the Circus cheering for his favorite faction, the blues. The best seats in the house were the first few rows on the corners, and luckily that is just where he found himself. He had several hundred denarii bet on his favorite athlete, Junius Silvius. Just as he rounded the corner for the fifth time, one of his horses hit the wall and the chariot came to a grinding halt as one wheel became dislodged. Fortuna had once again forsaken the Cincinatii...

"Damn that horse! Fix the wheel, the wheel!"

[MuttonChops]

Beneath the mask of jubilation, and exaltation. A sudden scream filled the air. A woman near her 30's leaped out of an alley way, her skirt torn halfway. Horrified on lookers watched as two faceless men chased the screaming woman through the market. Seizing her from the neck, she was thrown face first into a rolling cart of bread. The sound of her head hitting the cart made an eery "thud" noise, breaking her nose. As blood ran across her face, the two men patted her down looking for her anything valuable.

"HELP!" she screamed. Clawing her way from the grasp of the men who seemed intent on taking her coin purse. This public display seemed out of place even for the typical gangs of Rome. This was all together different. Desperate even.

The Two men bolted away as they seized their prize, pushing bystanders away. A shining dagger flipped from one of the assailant's hand threatening would be heroes away.

OOC: Watch out for thieves

[Dark Storm]

Senator Gnaeus in his plain clothes watched this spectacle from close by to the scene, he immediately tackled the man with the knife to the ground and wrestled the knife out of his grasp. Years of military training had prepared him for this. He held the assailant at knife point whilst the other slipped away into the dark. He waited for the city guard to arrive whilst still keeping the attacker under control.

ooc-Two can play at that game

[MuttonChops]

"OY! THAT HURTS. HELP ME YOU COWARD"
But his partner did not appear. Instead three other men appeared all carrying small knives. One of the "men" failed to conceal his face, revealing his acne filled face. He was probably below the age of twenty.

"You let him go this instant! Or you'll be in a world of pain!"

[Dark Storm]

"Would you really adress a senator that way, coward, attacking women, and you boy, you can hardly be sixteen, go back to your mother, child, leave this business to the adults. We are in a crowded area my friends, so how about this. 100 denarii, to the man that subdues those attackers. Courtesy of Senator Gnaeus Claudius Tranquillus."

[MuttonChops]

"Oh we're in trouble now! I told you uncle I didn't like this plan we..."

"Shut up. And your coin Senator , I dun give a damn if your Mars himself, you let that go boy you hear!!"
By their distressed tone, it would seem that all these men were related by blood...

[Pontifex Maximus]

It was at this point the Consul arrived, his lictors carrying the fasces that symbolized he could put citizens to death on the spot if he so chose...

What is going on here?

[Lucius Malfoy]

voided, real post below.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lucius arrived with his family at the festives. He immediately noticed the commotion and his eyes looked to Caelinus. His young son was still in his military uniform from his training. Caelinus nodded and rushed forward. He saw the Consul and got on one knee, bowing.

If you may have my blade, Consul...I shall help in capturing these men who defile this ceremony and harmed an innocent woman of the Republic? I am Caelinus Regulus, son of Lucius Titus Regulus.

Lucius approached his future son-in-law, Gnaeus and looked at the disturbed crowd. His wife and daughter were kept under watch and protection by nearby lictors.

What exactly happened here, Gnaeus?

[Dark Storm]

"I apologise Senator but these four, beasts, assaulted that poor woman over there, then while i restrained this one, those three had the audacity to threaten me with knives, they wanted me to let this man go, but i refused. Another escaped and left this one."

He pointed at the man he was restraining.

"But i think that it won't take long to get him to tell me who the other was, i believe that after this desertion there will be no love lost between them. However would it be alright senator if i could let this man go now so i can go and check on that poor woman?"

[MuttonChops]

As they spoke. The assailants disappeared into the alley ways of Rome.

OOC: They were just poor people

[Lucius Malfoy]

"I apologise Senator but these four, beasts, assaulted that poor woman over there, then while i restrained this one, those three had the audacity to threaten me with knives, they wanted me to let this man go, but i refused. Another escaped and left this one."

He pointed at the man he was restraining.

"But i think that it won't take long to get him to tell me who the other was, i believe that after this desertion there will be no love lost between them. However would it be alright senator if i could let this man go now so i can go and check on that poor woman?"

Valeria stepped forward to Gnaeus

Allow us to do that, Senator Gnaeus. You handle the man in custody

Valeria and Flavia walked over to the woman, helping her to a sitting position. One of the vendors offered some alcohol and a rag to dull the pain. Valeria tended to the wound while Flavia asked for a doctor who might be in the crowd

ooc: brb dinner

[Dark Storm]

"Thank you Valeria."

He called his fellow senator over

"Lucius." He whispered. "Can you discreetly give this woman this, there is 100 denarii there. I wish not that she be mugged again, so please do it quietly."

[Dark Storm]

Senator Gnaeus hoisted the assailant up to his feet, and offered Caelinus the thiefs blade.

"As a thank you for your help, it doesn't look to be that bad quality, and i would not be setting a good example if anyone saw a senator carrying a blade during the festivities. Please take it, as a gift."