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]

"You are hardly old," I say with a laugh, "unless I too am old, and I am told I still cut a fine figure." I grin at her, and I am pleased that she has given me a perfect opening to enquire into her future. "And have you thought of what you will do once your term of service is up? Thirty years is a long time to do anything, so I would be surprised if you had not considered other options."

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"You are hardly old, unless I too am old, and I am told I still cut a fine figure." Valentinus laughs.

I return his smile, but mine is wry and somewhat bitter, "old for a woman is not old for a man, my friend. You forget that a woman's usefulness ends when she can no longer bear sons, and her face is no longer fresh with youth. So no, my friend, you may not be old, but that holds no bearing upon the women of your age." I know he meant no ill, but I can't help feeling angry about such things. Hell, I count myself lucky that I am able to express that anger; most cannot. Oh, but he doesn't deserve to be the target of my ire, "Forgive me, my friend. I'm getting irritable in my age."

"And have you thought of what you will do once your term of service is up? Thirty years is a long time to do anything, so I would be surprised if you had not considered other options."

I shrug, adjusting my infula about my shoulders, "Well, I will not be obligated to teach anymore, but I see little reason to leave the temple. Almost everything that I could want is there, and while I wear this mantle I am my own person. That wouldn't be true if I left." I know a few girls who have left, usually to get married. Most of them regretted it sorely.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

"old for a woman is not old for a man, my friend. You forget that a woman's usefulness ends when she can no longer bear sons, and her face is no longer fresh with youth. So no, my friend, you may not be old, but that holds no bearing upon the women of your age."

I nod in acknowledgement of that.

"True," I say, "but you are not an ordinary woman, Silvia. Your worth is valued in more than the health of your womb."

Well, I will not be obligated to teach anymore, but I see little reason to leave the temple. Almost everything that I could want is there, and while I wear this mantle I am my own person. That wouldn't be true if I left."

"True," I say. "But you have been in service to others for a long time. It is difficult for a woman to live in the world and not be owned. Marriage, for instance. As you say, often women are valued only for their capacity to bear children, and so men marry much younger women. But households are complex businesses, and I would, having had two young wives, much rather now seek a woman of more maturity who understands how to govern a household, and who acts as my partner in the world." My tone is light, but not frivolous.

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"True, but you are not an ordinary woman, Silvia. Your worth is valued in more than the health of your womb." He says to me, and I nod.

"Very true, but you will have to forgive me for being somewhat cynical." I smile. I'm beginning to wonder at his tone. He seems both rather solicitous and hopeful.

"But you have been in service to others for a long time. It is difficult for a woman to live in the world and not be owned. Marriage, for instance. As you say, often women are valued only for their capacity to bear children, and so men marry much younger women. But households are complex businesses, and I would, having had two young wives, much rather now seek a woman of more maturity who understands how to govern a household, and who acts as my partner in the world."

Honestly, for a moment I can only stare at him. This is what he had in mind? I suppose that I should have expected it. Valentinus has never made his aspirations a secret, and marriage to a former Vestal would greatly elevate his social position. At the same time, I find myself angry. If it isn't being used to breed sons, it's being used for some other purpose. "Valentinus," I say finally. "I understand how in other circumstances this would be flattering. And I understand the benefits; the status that comes with calling a former Vestal your wife, a stepmother for Laelia, a manager for your household. But I must ask...what, exactly, would the benefit be for me?" I like you, Valentinus, but I am not going to destroy my life for you.

[valmont-vicomte.livejournal.com]

I blink slightly at her tone, because I'm not used to women not seeing any benefits in marrying me... But then, Silvia is quite different from your average woman, which is why I like her.

"Why," I say cheerfully, "I can offer you the opportunity to be your own woman," I say. "I have no desire to rule you, and I think you would not want to shame me." I doubt Silvia would take on lovers, and if she did she would have sense enough to do it discreetly, and I can't see her besmirching my name in public or behaving loosely. "And so we might live quite happily, I think, and although as your husband I would be your master in law, I would have no desire to be such in fact." I doubt many men would admit so much. But I was married to two silly girls, one of whom I was quite fond of, and to be honest the thrill of mastery wears off. "No priests or priestesses to appease, no girls to govern - because although a mother for Laelia would be pleasant, she has tutors and maids for the hard work - and only yourself to amuse. Well, and me from time to time, but hopefully that would not be too onerous a task." I smile at her. "Think it over, at least?"

[syl-thorn.livejournal.com]

"Why. I can offer you the opportunity to be your own woman," he says to me, sounding insufferably cheerful. "I have no desire to rule you, and I think you would not want to shame me. And so we might live quite happily, I think, and although as your husband I would be your master in law, I would have no desire to be such in fact." That is good to hear, though Valentinus knows me well enough that had he said otherwise I would be very disappointed in him. "No priests or priestesses to appease, no girls to govern - because although a mother for Laelia would be pleasant, she has tutors and maids for the hard work - and only yourself to amuse. Well, and me from time to time, but hopefully that would not be too onerous a task." He smiles. "Think it over, at least?"

"No right to vote. No right to hold my own property or leave it to who I will. And while you might give me my freedom, by law you could take it back anytime you chose." I shake my head. Really, I don't see that I have much in the way to think about. "I will consider your offer, my friend. But I will tell you now that I think I prefer freedom under a veil to being chained, whether those chains be lead or gold."