 Yesterday, my
master came home from the senate full of excitement. He immediately called his family
together to tell them the wonderful news he had learned that day. None of the family
members were terribly eager about this meeting. Flavius Rufus had been involved in a very
good game of dice. Vera had been successfully reducing her maid to tears. Ullia had
just managed to assume a position showing the perfect mix of grace and ferocity and was
dreaming of how fine she would look in this way on her tombstone. The senator was, as
usual, oblivious to his family's annoyance and proceeded to tell them his news; Caesar was
holding a celebratory parade the next day and the Senator proudly announced he had managed
to rent a balcony on a large insula with a particularly good view of the festivities. The
whole family was naturally expected to attend.
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 Because
the family was going to the parade, the senator decided it would be kind to give the
slaves a day off so they to could attend the procession. But while the slaves slept in and
had a fine late breakfast compliments of the Senator's pantry, the family was up before
the break of dawn, so according to the senator they could "avoid the press of the
crowd and make sure no upstarts steal our balcony." No one was very happy about being
up so early, especially Vera who had to be dressed and made while she still slept and
then carried out to the waiting litter. While Ullia and the Senator were busy overseeing
this affair, Flavius took the opportunity to make sure several good amphorae of wine were
brought to make the coming festivities all the more lively. Once they arrived, they had a
good several hours to wait before the parade begun.
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 Much of the morning was spent watching a
seemingly endless stream of soldiers marching past in orderly columns. The legionaries
were in impressive and immaculate order. Their armor was polished till it shined, their
tunics were freshly washed, and their helmets gleaned in the sun light. Even Flavius, who
had seen and commanded a great many soldiers couldn't help but whistle to himself as the
first rows passed. But after hours of watching the passing armies, even the senator, who
was renowned for his patience began to look a bit sleepy. Vera complained that the
gleam from the soldiers' helmets was hurting her eyes.
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 It was approaching noon and even the
crowds watching on the street were looking a bit restless. On another occasion, this might
have been a cause to start a riot, but with so many armored men so close, no one had the
courage to try. Those who had the foresight to bring a lunch settled down to eat, while
others relaxed under awnings and behind pillars trying to steal a short nap. Flavius
decided this would be an ideal time to bring out the wine he had brought with him. As he
could hardly drink it all himself politely, he offered it to his family as well. Which, by
this time, they were more than happy to accept.
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 By the
time the Emperor came into view on his litter, the Verus', motivated by the wine,
were beginning to enjoy themselves more readily. This truly was a spectacular sight. Eight
slaves bore Caesar on a platform decked with vases of exotic flowers. The emperor himself
was dressed in fine embroidered silk and enthroned on a golden chair. Eight Praetorians
flanked his litter while even more marched in front, with yet another legion taking up the
rear. The crowd was inspired and began to cheer and wave enthusiastically, encouraged by
the soldiers strategically positioned in their midst.
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 As
the emperor passed by the balcony from which the Verus family watched, the Senator began
to cheer and was joined by his wife who wished to remain polite. Flavius was quick to
follow this example. The emperor noticing the commotion from above look at the family. His
gaze ran across the Senator, his wife, and Flavius who saluted politely. Then his gaze
fell upon Vera. Winking tacitly, he leered at her noticeably.
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 The
next few moment were horrifying. Vera, inspired by a bit too much to drink, sprang from
her seat and began shouting obscenities at Caesar which startled her father, mortified her
mother, and left Flavius Rufus with a few ideas. Flavius was the first to recover and
wishing to avoid further public scandal and embarrassment, rushed his sister and father
and dragged his petrified mother from the apartment and back to the House of the Dolphin
as quickly as possible.
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Downloads A complete set of soldiers and officers, including cloaks and three different types of helmets Note: The soldier download will allow the creation of no less than twelve different uniforms, Including three different actually helmets, which can be changed along with the outfits. These amazing skin meshes were created by Jerome. Check out the rest of his wonderful meshes on his web site at Sim Freaks.
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As
soon as they arrived home, the Senator began writing to all his influential friends to
avert any disaster that might befall the family as a result of Vera's momentary loss of
sanity, while Ullia was sent to bed, still to shocked to be coherent. As for
Vera, who
had obviously had to much to drink, Flavius carried her into her room where she lay on the
floor sobbing and whining until she at last fell asleep, unaware of all of the damage she
had potentially caused to her family's good name.