de minimis non curat praetor.

[al-shairan.livejournal.com]

Kalends of Maius, nearly noon
The year of the consulship of Isauricus and Sabinus
The Forum marketplace

It is a clear morning, a good omen for the first day of the month. I came to the Forum this morning to hear a pontiff call out the fasti. I could have a slave do it, or I could wait to see the list written up in the Senate, but I like to hear it from the mouth of the priest - and I take some amusement in the scurrying of people as they hurry to arrange their month based on which days are forbidden to carry out business. I have my suspicions that the priests take bribes for the banning of certain days, but I think a man would have to be a fool to risk the wrath of the gods in such a way. In the same vein, I have gone to the temple of Venus, as today is the Vinalia, the celebration both of the wine harvest and of the goddess. I poured wine over her altar - and gave many amphorae to her priests so that they might pray for me. Privately I offered my own prayers to Venus Acidalia, since she is concerned with troubles. Not that I have much faith in her interest in my troubles, since I am sure that Venus is quite content for Tetricus to keep making a fool of himself over that boy. She seems to enjoy men playing idiots in the service of love.

Tonight in honour of the Vinalia I have been invited with my wife to the Palace, as her Royal Highness is giving a party - a small affair, the invitation said, of one or two hundred guests. That should mean much of the Senate will be there, and I have sent word to Ageria Altinia to find an appropriate gift. I know that my wife can be trusted with such delicate matters. It is a relief to me to have so sensible a spouse - we had met only twice before we wed, and I had thought she seemed a clear headed girl, but it could all have gone quite wrong. But she has managed my household well from the first, and blessedly produced our twins within a short space of time, which is a relief for many reasons.

I walk through the crowds, people stepping out of my way when they see my toga praetexta. Many are discussing their plans for celebrating the holiday this evening; I think the centre of Excolo will be rowdy tonight. And I do not doubt that the celebrations at the Palace will also be debauched, given the occasion and the host. Tanicia is always careful to behave perfectly herself, but to encourage bad behaviour in others, and I doubt tonight will be an exception. Luckily I can trust Ageria to behave in a way that is a credit to our family. I am sure that if Tetricus is there I will not be able to say he is doing the Ilicus name any credit, particularly if he brings the boy. Barely sixteen and a plebeian. At least when Tetricus acted as my patron we were closer in age, and I had enough wit that we had things in common besides my looks and his interest in them. Arruns Ramnes is a nothing, an exile scratching out a position based on the charity of his patron and now Tetricus, with only a perfectly unremarkable handsomeness to recommend him.

I am clenching my jaw, I realise, and so I stop at a stall to buy a morning cup of wine. My business for the day is discharged; soon it will be time for the baths and then preparations for the dinner and party tonight. I sip my wine and sit on a bench, watching the crowds of the Forum mill by.

Comments

[tess-thiess.livejournal.com]

"You're probably right," she agrees. "I'm just so used to managing things my own way; it will be strange to have to consult him. And..." I feel her tense next to me. "I am - anxious about what else he might expect of me. We did not live together as husband and wife for very long."

I'm not surprised, though I can't quite know how she must feel. "I understand," I tell her. "I haven't - that is, it's one of those things to bear, I suppose." I'm well read enough to know what it involves, and I must admit to being curious. I won't know until I wed though, and that does not seem likely to be soon.

"If it becomes a problem," I say very quietly, "I might be able to make it so that he weren't so eager." I don't know how Catalina feels about my craft - I've avoided speaking of it, but for some light-hearted fortune telling - but there are ways to lessen a man's desire.

"You'll just have to meet him," I say when she finishes. "It might be that you will be get along well enough, and things will carry on." I shrug. "And if not, you'll figure out something." And if he's become a brute in the meantime, I will deal with matters myself. Poison is risky, but there are many ways for men to die.

[kateohara.livejournal.com]

"I haven't - that is, it's one of those things to bear, I suppose."

"It's not so bad," I say reassuringly, because I don't want to scare her. "I hear it - can improve after time, although I must say when Dorus left I had no particular wish to try further.

"I might be able to make it so that he weren't so eager."

"Is that so?" I say, stopping and looking at her. I'm not sure whether I should be disapproving, but the idea is a relief. "That's - thank you," I say. "I should probably - ensure I do my wifely duty first," I say. Bear a child. I will need to do that before I can take any action, or I would just feel too guilty. "But... It is kind of you." I can't imagine anyone else making such an offer to me, even if they knew how to do such a thing.

"It might be that you will be get along well enough, and things will carry on." I shrug. "And if not, you'll figure out something."

"You always talk sense, dear," I say, squeezing her arm, and we keep walking. "I'm sure I can cope. Perhaps we should turn to the house (http://community.livejournal.com/excolocrack/15200.html?thread=2580064#t2580064). I have much to prepare."