Aedes Dioscuri

[Okmin]

The Temple of Castor and Pollux
In the Forum Romanum

Priest: None

[Lucius Malfoy]

A group of workers are seen carrying a statue of the Dioscuri. Overseeing them as Lucius Atilius Regulus, Consul of Rome, who had gained this statue due to the sacking of Neapolis. He watches as the workers hoist the statue up towards the temple.

OOC: Moderators, I ask for one of you to rp the priests.

[Okmin]

Since the chief priesthood of the Dioscuri was vacant, the Pontifex Maximus decided to attend the donation of the statue.

A fine prize, Regulus. A shame the twins had to sit in a Greek city for so long. Where exactly were you planning to install it? There is little space on the exterior.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lucius looks in the direction of the Pontifex Maximus, looking once more at the temple. He gestures inside.

In the center of the temple's interior. Such a statue must be preserved from the elements outside.

[Rhapture]

Tribune Lucius Valerius enters the Temple and stand next to Consul Aquila, the twins of Castor and Pollux always held a special place in the people of Rome's heart since they usually equated them with Romulus and Remus.
"Beautiful day for a dedication ceremony, Consul. Will you be handling the prayers and religious duties for this while the priesthood is vacant?"

[Okmin]

Perhaps we could colonize the place, after these Latin issues are resolved.

As the statue settled onto the pedestal, Aquila made an effort to transition his focus from being consul to Pontifex Maximus. He gestured for the sheep to be brought forth to the altar and brazier. Then he raised his hands.

O Tyndaridae Gemini, sons of Jupiter. I, your servant Gaius Marius, today sanctify this sculpture in your names, and beseech you to bless Rome and preserve our Republic in battle, as you repelled the tyrants at Lake Regillus, and as our arms preserved this monument taken in battle for your glory.

The Pontifex Maximus took up the sacrificial blade, and brought forth the first ram. Titus drew the second's attention away from the altar, lest it be distressed by the death of its fellow.

I offer you two rams, O Dioscuri, the most virile in Latium, their horns as strong as iron. With the first, I ask that our horses be strong and their riders' arms unbreakable. As patrons of horsemen, accept this offering.

The knife moved quickly, and blood poured forth from the animal's throat, collecting in a bowl, as its life faded silently. Aquila carefully extracted the entrails and arranged them beside the body. Titus brought the second ram.

And second, O sons of Leda, I offer the ram's twin, and beg your blessing for our sailors; as you sailed on the Argo, accept this offering and bless them with good winds and calm seas.

He repeated the process with the second ram, and proceeded to read the entrails. He then tossed them into the fire and poured the blood in after. The meat would be distributed to the people.

Aquila turned to the others.

The portents are good - the livers bore no discoloration, the hearts were strong, and the blood was pure. This bodes well for our envoys, I am sure.

[Rhapture]

Lucius thought the sacrifice very well done, hopefully the gods liked their new home. The people would surely come and see the new statue. Perhaps donations would be high this year.

[Okmin]

I will. I have sent my son to fetch twin sheep... He has been gone for some time, no doubt trying to find two identical animals worthy of sacrifice is a difficult task--

At that moment, Titus arrived, leading two sheep with the whitest fur Aquila had ever seen.

There we are. Titus, lead the sheep into the temple. We will begin when the statue is in place.

[Lucius Malfoy]

Lucius heads inside the temple to oversee the statue being put in place. A vacant platform had been already set in place earlier for the statue's placement earlier that day. The workers had built a pulley system to hoist the statue onto its platform.

I still remember gazing upon this statue when it was retrieved from the burning remains of Neapolis. It had been untouched by the carnage.

[Rhapture]

Lucius inspected the sheep from a distance, the rams balls seemed to be dragging on the temple floor, he wondered if that was important.