Villa Julii, countryside apartment

[Maiar93]

Domus Julii, like it's name states, has for it's whole existence been owned by a Julii. This time, the owner is Manius Julius, descendant of the great roman hero, Scaevola. His great-grandfather had marries with Julia, a woman of the noble Julii and brought their families together. Manius was the second descendant of this great line. His father had been a commander, a great commander, and he had spent his last years in the army fighting alongside Consul Poplicola. Retiring after the capture of Taras.



Manius has been taught for war and politics from the age of six. When he turned twelve, he began studying the arts of war and combat, first with wooden swords, then when he was older moved to metal weapons. When he turned 21, he had finished both trainings and now moved to the army. Nine years, he served in the army. When he was about to retire the army, he had already been recognized as a great warrior, a great commander and a great speaker. Like he was everything a roman should be.

But these were not all his traits. He was also known for his temper, and although his thinking is quick and precise, he may sometimes make some times. This makes him an excellent field commander, but he lacks in creating working, long-term plans and likes others to do them for him. He is capable in managing the logistics of the army, so capable that usually his foes do not get a chance to interrupt them.

He is quite moralic, but he doesn't believe in Gods or does he fear them. He does not support slavery, but he also isn't against it. Manius believes in good manners and sane talk to carry the day for him, but he may lose his temper sometimes. His outside behavior is friendly and very calm, but his thoughts are like great wheels running and running, calculating and thinking all the time. You could call him cunning, but he is not the man to backstab you when you don't look.

Manius has many times been on the street, giving a bit of money or grain away, and this behavior quite quickly used his money. He, unlike many patricians, is very popular amongst plebs and is publicly liked. He has many plebeian friends.

[Maiar93]

Manius walked inside his Domus, tired after the hard day's work. He noticed a great baggage was on his doorsteps with a parchment, and he took it in.

To Manius Julius Scaevola, for great succeed and for even greater deeds.

Manius opened the baggage, and immediately gold, silver, valuables and a very fine, sharp and shining gladius bursted out from it with another letter. He restrained himself from counting the gold, and opened the letter.

Manius. It is your uncle. Flavius Julius Corvenus. I'm sure you know me. You are my relative, Manius, and i have sent you all the remainder of my wealth and possessions in hopes that you use them well. Now, this is not the only reason i sent you this. This is very important. There is a man named Celsus. This Celsus has something that you need very much. Something that will save rome from utter destruction. Know, that these are my last written words. Rome is in grave danger. If you find Celsus.. you will find what all this means. He will tell you.. he is a good man. For now, you must only know this. He will explain you everything else: about me, about your family and about this situation...

Signed, Flavius Julius Corvenus.

Manius took a deep breath. This was very odd to say the least. A message from an unknown man, who sent him a great amount of wealth and the finest sword he had ever seen, and tells him to join the senate..?

To be honest, Manius had already thought about joining the Senate. And now that a dying man had said him to, he felt very obligated to join it.. but he had no intention to find someone named Celsus. This was very shady...

[Merula]

A letter arrives bearing the seal of the blackbird;

Manius Julius Scaevola

You do not know me personally, but your father was a comrade of mine in the legions, I could tell you many a story of his escapades there, but that is not why I write.

I have been told that you wish to enter into the Senate, a noble thought, but one that a man should not take lightly.

To enter the Curia a man needs one of three things, money, friends, or sponsorship. I can't offer you money, and for all I know a young patrician such as yourself would have enough, but I can offer you friendship or sponsorship.

You are welcome to come to my Domus on the Aventine to discuss this further, but if feel you do not need my help, then I will not begrudge you that and will look forward to seeing you in the Senate house soon enough. I can get you there quicker is all.

Salve,

Consul Marcus Atrius Merula.

Spoiler for ooc: 

I want to be your friend this time round haha

[Maiar93]

Manius walked inside his domus, still holding some of his tools on his hands. He noticed a letter with an odd seal implanted on it, and quickly put the tools on the nearest table. He picked up the letter, and looked at the seal.

'Merula..?'

He recognized the name. Perhaps it was his father who told him about Merula, or perhaps he has heard tales of him. But he is a senator, a successful one by what he heard, and he wanted to know this man. So he opened the letter, and read it carefully.

He smiled, and wrote the quick letters on the back of the letter:

Of course i will come. I remember your name, Merula, although i do not remember the occasion. Expect me soon.

He called his only servant, a freedman of course. Ah, Cassius! Could you please bring this letter to Roma, to Consul Merula's house. After that, I will leave for Roma. I trust in you to get me a domus in Roma. Oh, and when you come back, make sure to hire a couple servants and take care of this house. Thank you. Manius opened a little chest on the table, and took a medium-sized pouch of gold from there. His "daily" money chest, that was. Here's the money to cover your expenses and the buying of the house.

The servant left, and Manius quickly took a bath, locked the door and let a stray cat in. He called the cat Julia, she usually came in to get food from Manius. He left the cat some meat and water, and went to his bed. 'Perfect life..', he thought, before he fell asleep.

[Maiar93]

Manius woke up the next day, and immediately jumped from his bed. He took a bath, put on his best toga, and noticed there were ten servants waiting for him outside.

He quickly packed everything he needed, and went outside to greet the servants.

Allright, men, i trust in you to take care of this house. You will all be paid well, Cassius will take care of that, he arrives soon. I will now depart for Rome. He smiled to the servants, and went inside to take his packings, including a lot of his finest wine, a large chest of valuables, gold and silver, and clothes. Other things he could buy when he was in Roma.

Mounting his horse, he strode away by the road, enjoying the sunny weather and thinking of what might come.




After Manius had departed, about three hours after that, Cassius arrived at the Domus. He was weary, very weary, and he walked inside the house noticing the servants were on the work already, and smilingly he sat down on the table, just in time when the servants made the table ready and put the food on it. Fish, salt, vegetables, and wine. Perfect.