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

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

As I cross the market I see my patron's wife is here. I should stop and say hello, which is no hardship as Calida is a fine looking woman and has always been gracious to me.

"Mistress," I say, in acknowledgement that she is married to my patron, "good day to you! What fine weather it is. That is a pretty comb," I say, taking note of what she is looking at.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

My finger dances over the jade inlay when I hear a familiar voice calling out. I turn and my smile to Valentinus does not have to be forced. I have made it a rule never to entice the attentions of any man that Tetricus has given his patronage to...

but I always sighed in resentment of my own rule in Valentinus' case. A very fine looking man, indeed.

"It is a fine day." I agree readily, for it has already brightened considerably. "And I think that is enough of a recomendation for me to indulge in buying it." I remark of the comb with a smile, picking both the green one up and a smaller, pretty orange and red coloured one. I have my slave Ursa pay the craftsman, and I place the green in the basket she carries, but offer the smaller to Valentinus.

"Here, please give this to your lovely little girl." I say with a smile.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

"Oh, mistress, how kind of you," I say, smiling, because I am always heartened by any kindness to my daughter. "Laelia will love it, especially knowing it came from you. She does admire you so much." My patron and his wife have been kind enough to attend my house for dinner on a couple of occasions, and Laelia kept talking about Calida afterwards. "She's always saying she will have red hair when she grows up like Lady Calida," I say, "but given her hair is as dark as mine I think she may be disappointed!" I laugh. "And how is your daughter? Will she be attending the party tonight?"

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

I am grinning as Valentinus talks of his daughter. "Tell her I said her hair is quite lovely the way it is... but perhaps I should start looking for a red wig for her?" I ask in a conspiritorial tone, then chuckle.

"And how is your daughter? Will she be attending the party tonight?" Now it is my turn to preen over my daughter a bit. "Dacia is well, thank you for asking. And yes, she will be coming with Tetricus and I to the palace tonight. I am hoping to find a good match for her soon." I confide, then it occurs to me...

"Do tell me you have secured an invitation?" I ask excitedly. Valentinus has done well for himself, and it reflects well on us that he has acheived so much, but a invitation to the Palace? Now that is an accomplishment!

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

"Tell her I said her hair is quite lovely the way it is... but perhaps I should start looking for a red wig for her?"

"Oh Jupiter, not yet," I laugh. "She is growing up too quickly as it is."

"Dacia is well, thank you for asking. And yes, she will be coming with Tetricus and I to the palace tonight. I am hoping to find a good match for her soon."

"Can she really be old enough to wed?" I say, and shake my head. "Time flies. And you hardly look old enough to have a daughter who is a woman," I add, then think. "Isn't Faustus Servilius Canus recently widowed?" I say. "He is a man of good stock, and I hear he is kind." I know Calida wants her daughter to marry someone good natured, which is more than a lot of parents bother to find out.

"Do tell me you have secured an invitation?"

"I have," I say, and I don't hide my pride. "The Emperor was impressed with the games for the Cerealia, and was kind enough to invite me." If I play my cards right - and I am a good card player - my rise might be high indeed.

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

I shake my head now, still smiling. "Indeed, time does slip by far too quickly." I say a bit quietly, thinking the house will seem so quiet and empty once Dacia is gone and it will just be Tetricus and myself, but I push thoughts like those away as he compliments me. I may not be as young as I once was, but I do take some pride in the fact that I can still turn a head or two. I find myself straightening with confidence. "You are too kind." I murmur, giving him a dazzling smile.

"Isn't Faustus Servilius Canus recently widowed? He is a man of good stock, and I hear he is kind." I tilt my head and tap a finger against my lips thoughtfully. "That is right... a bit older than I had hoped, but kind you say? Something to consider, I shall consult my husband about it. Thank you, Valentinus." I say gratefully, now wondering if the widower himself will be at the palace tonight.

Valentinus swells with pride, and he has every right to. "The games were the talk of the town and a marvelous success. My family enjoyed them greatly." I did notice the dearth of young men surrounding our box, obviously arranged to curry my husband's favour, but that is by the by. Tetricus, for all his faults, is good to those he patronizes, and in turn, they are good to us.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

"Indeed, time does slip by far too quickly," Calida says quietly, and I'm sure she's thinking of how she will miss her daughter. I know already that it will be a sad day when my daughter goes to her husband's house, although it won't be for some years yet. But she pulls herself together and gives me a dazzling smile, which I return. It's a shame that being my patron's wife puts her off limits, because she is a very fine woman. But I respect Tetricus too much to attempt such a relationship.

"That is right... a bit older than I had hoped, but kind you say? Something to consider, I shall consult my husband about it. Thank you, Valentinus."

"And I hear he may become praetor urbanus, which would mean he would stay in Excolo," I say, thinking of Dacia. I am sure Calida would like her daughter nearby.

"The games were the talk of the town and a marvelous success. My family enjoyed them greatly."

"I was very flattered you attended," I smile. "I would not be in the position I am now without the support of your family," I add, bowing my head in gratitude. "I look forward to seeing you tonight, mistress."

[mistresswanda.livejournal.com]

"I was very flattered you attended, I would not be in the position I am now without the support of your family," He bows his head and I nod mine in acknowledgment with a soft smile. "You have done well for yourself Valentinus, and I will make offerings that you continue to do so." Out of all the men my husband has helped advance, I admired Valentinus most.

"I look forward to seeing you tonight, mistress." I grin in delight at the thought of the party. "Yes, there should only be a few hundred people, so there is a chance we shall see one another." I say wryly with an arch of the eyebrow and a light laugh. "Have a pleasant afternoon and we shall see you this evening." I say merrily, and then continue to make my way through the market.