Main Plot: Wedding Feast

[Alaric Stilicho]

The German had been to other Imperial events, yet this was the first time he was here with Suetonia. His wife and cousin of the still disgraced Renius Suetonius Metellus, who's hand was also on his arm as they entered. The pair had bickered about what sort of gift to give them, after all, wouldn't the younger Co-Caesar have access to anything that he possibly desired? With a smirk, he glanced downwards towards his wife as the expensive and grand gifts were offered. Many were greater than anything the pair could possibly afford, soon it was their turn to be introduced to the Imperial couple and there was a time when someone would have told him about this. He would have laughed in their faces, it was almost unbelieveable and here he was. In front of the younger Caesar, offering his kindness and well-wishes... without a weapon in his hand to end his life....

"Salve Caesar, Domina Junia and dear Augusta. I wish all the best and nothing but happiness between you both. I hope the gifts I offer please you and show my esteem for you." He said, as he dipped his head and the gifts were being presented to him. Alaric's accent remained true to his heritage, despite the grasp of the Latin language being good. Pelts from a variety of animals were offered, along with some jewelry but there was nothing to compare to the great wealth that had been offered by others.

After they had been accepted, he turned to take his wife and walk away. Renius wouldn't be here, normally the man would come to assist him when it come to these Roman events where politics was important and he lent downwards to his wife.

"Now that part is over. Do you know anyone who is here?" Alaric asked and waited to see if she did.

[Artaxias]

Such a look came over Artaxias’ face – one that did indeed spell imminent death for his slave – and surely a very slow, very unpleasant death – if that ornate leather pouch was not found. As Andoco backed up, so too did Artaxias step towards him, until the slave bumped into a wedding guest that was behind them. The man shot them both an irritated glance, his eyes widening slightly at the sight of the Parthian’s slightly exotic looking garb. However, the other guest did extend his hand and offered its contents to the one of the pair that looked more like the master and less like a servant.

“I think he may have dropped this.” The man nodded condescendingly towards the blonde. “Is it yours?”

Artaxias eyes lit with relief as they took in the missing pouch. Politely, he made the other guest a small bow. “Yes, indeed. I’m greatly relieved to have it back. Many thinks for your sharp eyes and honest heart.” He retrieved the gift from the man’s hand, and then, with one last sharp look at his tit of a slave, he turned back towards the imperial couple ahead.

No more was said for the line had moved on as they had tarried, and quickly they came before the newlyweds and the others of their families seated about them. Both ‘ambassadors’ made very formal and courteous congratulations on behalf of themselves and their respective countries and kings. The gifts were presented, and Artaxias made a quick, quiet aside to the Augusta – something along the lines of hoping to get the chance to speak with her more informally sometime later in the evening. Then the two dignitaries moved on and another guest took their place.

As they walked away from the imperial family, Artaxias put his arm casually about the shoulder of his favorite slave who was, in reality, very, very far removed from being an actual slave. He pulled the blonde haired young man close enough to be able to say quietly in his ear, “You know, sometimes you are just the very least bit annoying, my friend.”

[Livius Lucretius Aemilius]

Livius was pleased that Spurius had become more relaxed when it came to the marriage. He doubted the man would ever be entirely happy about the whole thing, but at least he would be able to come to terms with it now. Livius turned to Lucretia and asked her to take Livia away, both of the girls would be able to mingle, to catch up with their friends and to give Spurius and their father a moment alone together.
He hoped Gaia wasn’t doing anything foolish that could make her future husband wish for her company, at least, on a companionship level. The Senator looked towards him and continued to gaze around at the gathered group, trying to find where she was but his voice brought his attention back to him. Spurius sounded so helpless. His eyes regarded his charge kindly, as his hand discreetly touched the younger man’s own and he knew it was risky before it moved away.

“Spurius, do not worry yourself. I’m here; I will be by your side through this.” He murmured; hoping to give the younger man more confidence and hoped to keep him safe. Livius’ lips moved upwards, as he coughed to himself to pull himself away and he didn’t want to think something that could make things worse for them both. No, this was for the best. He could have groaned out loud when he saw the pretty Greek, she was beautiful and yet had her gaze pointedly on a man’s rear. Not even trying to hide it, at least, not as skilfully as the others did when they wished to stare.

“Well done, Gaia!” He thought to himself.

“This way,” He said as he approached her and led Spurius towards his fate. She looked up, her gaze moved to either of the wealthy men and gave them both an awkward smile. Like a child that had been caught doing something naughty.

“Domina Gaia, I am Livius Lucretius Aemilius and this is Spurius Herminius Aquilinus.” He introduced.

[Antonia Vitellia]

Antonia felt like it had been a long, long time since she'd been to a wedding. There had been Lucilla's and Emilia's, of course, but that now felt so far off into the distance that it was more of a hazy dream than a reality that had happened to her. It seemed like an entirely separate life, that dream, where she had been married, struggled to have children, adopted another woman's infant as her own, and then promptly divorced her husband for his churlish ways. A dream, yes, but more like a nightmare.

Being single suited Antonia, she realized, especially when the alternatives seemed to only be to marry men ancient or boorish. She had her own money to spend, her own time to schedule, and no one could tell her otherwise. Well, technically her brother could but he wasn't about to. He was still keen on letting her have her way and more so now that she was aware of his secret. It could ruin his career if she let it out, so it was a quiet standing between the two that it would remain buried unless he committed some horrific crime against her.

Then all hell would break loose.

Antonia came to the wedding on time, stood through the ceremony, and remembered her own wedding and how hopeful she'd been then. She'd been much older than this bride and Renius had certainly been older than the groom. The two standing up and saying words of commitment seemed more like children than the adults they were parading them around as. But maybe that's because she'd known Junus when he was merely Darius's younger brother.

When the wedding ended and the festivities began, Antonia waited until some of the crowd around the Imperial family dissipated before she threaded her way towards them. Her hair curled down her back in mahogany waves and her eyes shone bright blue through the lightly kohled eyelids. Cosmetics had been applied lightly tonight for the sake of the heat as well as her face.

She smiled as she approached the Imperial pair, her teeth glinting white in the light. "Salve, dominus and domina," she greeted them both, her eyes flickering over to Lucilla with amusement in them, "May the gods grant you a prosperous and satisfying marriage." Antonia mentioned nothing about fertility. Being skeptical of the gods, she was more a believer that the gods could only help those that helped themselves. Besides, she didn't want her well-wishes for many babies to be whispering in Junia's ear if it turned out the girl was barren. No reason to haunt a girl.

"I hope you're enjoying your party," she continued, "Since it looks quite splendid where I'm standing. But I suppose I should present you my gifts." Her smile widened, her lightly rouged lips parting to reveal straight, white teeth in a pale face almost dominated by almond-shaped, intelligent bright blue eyes.

"For the one-day Emperor, I bring a miniature of a pleasure barge. It is but a miniature, but the actual thing is currently moored at the docks and awaiting your every whim. It is fully stocked with food and drink and, naturally, servants and slaves to serve you when you first step foot on board. They also double as sailors for the journey, should you decide to take it down the Tiber," she murmured, thinking that it would give the young couple time to be alone before being swamped by all else. If a marriage didn't start out on the right foot, it could quickly become a disaster. This was her attempt at giving them time to learn about each other before having to deal with the outside world.

After all, didn't she know how horribly wrong things could go in a blink of an eye?

"And for the bride..." she trailed off, her eyes sparkling with speculation, before continuing in a lower, softer voice, "Well, my gift to her will need to be given in private for I fear that it is not fit for public eyes. I assure you that it will be most useful in the years ahead, however."

"Have a merry evening, dominus and domina," she finished before making her way to Lucilla.

"Domina Lucilla," she murmured, her eyes flashing to the Empress's face as she continued, in a murmur, "You must be proud of your son today. Not only is he now married to a young, beautiful woman, but he has proven to be an utter joy to your heart. I can only hope that Minor will be the same when he is that age." Her lips quirked in a moment of humor, "Since I've heard some of my friends say that their sons at that age are a horrendous mess of sharp tongues and poor attitudes. You've skipped that stage, I think, and I can only hope I do too."

Her eyes slid over the assembled crowd of people, trying to make sure none of her more devious enemies were there. Julia Berenice looked like she wasn't there though and so Antonia relaxed further. Good. There'd be no Jewish fishwife to harp on her in public again and shame them both in the process. "I have a business proposition for you, Lucilla," she whispered, keeping down her voice so that no one could hear the affection in her tone or the exact words she was saying. "I'll come by the palace soon and lay it before you. I think you'll be quite pleased with what I'm offering though." Her eyes sparkled as she moved them back to her friend and ex-lover's face, her expression softening as she looked over Lucilla's beauty.

"I'll even bring the wine this time," she jested.

Antonia realized then that other people were queuing up to speak to Lucilla also and tilted her head a bit to the side, her amusement keen. "Ah, but I'm holding up the line to bask in your beauty, Empress," she murmured softly, "So I will speak to you soon. Have fun tonight, domina," she teased, "But not too much."

Antonia gave Lucilla a small smile, a dip of her head, and then disappeared into the crowd. Finding a slave holding a cup of wine, she took it and began her careful walk around the room. As she sipped the contents and roamed, she saw many faces that she recognized and others that, frankly, she had no idea who they were. As she moved, she found the hem of her dress stepped on by someone to her right.

Her jaw clenched momentarily in irritation as she thought about how the costly silk was going to be ruined by some poor sod's sandals. Putting on a serene expression, however, Antonia turned, tapped the person on the shoulder and then attempted to look slightly embarrassed and amused by the whole situation. "Pardon me," she murmured, "But you're stepping on the hem of my dress. Unfortunately, I'm not the kind of woman who appreciates being held down in any place for too long of a time."

[Fabia Maxima]

"Not quite this lavish," she answered with a small smile, shaking her head. Truthfully, she didn't think there were many affairs more formal or better appointed than an Imperial wedding. Her day was approaching rather quickly and her niece had asked if the event would look like this one. In some ways, yes, it would resemble this - for they would be surrounded by family and friends and other noble citizens of Rome. Food and drink would be generous, too, of course, as both her family and that of Antonius were wealthy. But no purse could be larger than that of the co-Caesar. So no things wouldn't be quite as grand. But they would be beautiful and they would be expensive.

There were other differences as well.

The beautiful blonde bride of Lucilla's son was still in the bloom of her youth. The co-Caesar was also far younger than she. Fabia felt her age more keenly as she had greeted the couple along with the rest of her family, when her brother had presented their gift and well wishes. She knew that for her age she looked well. The key words being for her age. She was blessed that the thirty-year commitment she had made had granted her a great many things, a life of comfort, a life in close communion with Vesta, an extended education, a place of privilege, and the more superficial thing that was a well-preserved body as she had not lived a life of great physical stress.

Her brother had seen to it that she didn’t cover her hair with her palla, once she was inside. She had her slave dress the blonde strands properly for the occasion, in a complicated plate atop her head. She’d worn long earrings, too - not those earrings, for those were being saved for that day she’d be bonded to Antonius, for the day he’d brought them for. But she hoped the effect would be similar, in highlighting the smooth skin of her neck, as her mother-in-law-to-be had mentioned in a secretive, girlish kind of way.

She did want to be found attractive. Like any other woman wanted. She had been a priestess. But he wasn’t marrying a priestess. Even if much of what she’d learned and her faith remained a part of her.

She didn’t want to look like a priestess today. Neither did she want to look disrespectful or inappropriate for her age and station. She wanted to look tasteful. Tasteful and elegant and attractive. But seeing the youthful beauty that walked about the room she wasn’t quite sure what she looked like. But Gods knew she wouldn’t show that. That thought was for her alone and she could only exude confidence. She was finely dressed in a teal-colored chiton of fine make, with a belt fastened beneath her bustline. She had shed the lighter-hued palla as a hood once inside, as was respectable, and she wore it loosely draped about her shoulders so as not to cover her dress and the gold-and-turquoise belt that matched her clothing. Her bracelet and earrings coordinated with the jewellery about the empire waist. It was a very important occasion, and the Fabia family had dressed accordingly.

It was important for her, too, for Antonius had asked her to accompany him, as his betrothed. There was, perhaps, no greater stage than this for people who had not yet seen them since they’d made their impending wedding official, since he’d given her the iron ring.

Fabia Minor leaned close and whispered, with a huge smile on her face, that despite his age, the man her aunt was to be wed to was better looking than a great deal of those assembled here, from what she could tell, so far, of course. She hadn’t yet explored every corner of the room. When she pulled away she was giggling, but Fabia tried to hide her reaction. She didn’t want anyone asking questions about what information had passed between them.

And she hadn’t quite focused on the men in the room, her eyes had fallen more on the women, more on those she’d be judged against, compared to . . . Still, she did agree, that Antonius was quite the handsome man. It was a boon to her eyes but she still had many of the same fears she’d had when her brother first brought up marriage. But now wasn’t the time for that.

Antonius was clearly making an effort to be a gentleman, as he offered to find the rest of her family and sit with them, as she’d have time to share meals with his family over the years they’d spend as husband and wife. She would not refuse him this kindness, so glancing at her niece in a way that asked her - with love - to behave herself, she turned back to him with a nod and a gentle smile.

“Thank you, Antonius. May the search go easily.”

The two Fabias and one much taller Antonius moved about the packed space seeking out a place with their family.

[Lucilla Augusta]

The Augusta sat with her son and proceeded to assist when it came to greeting the guests. There were many members of the nobility here; the gifts were often expensive and would likely call for favours at a later date. Lucilla greeted them after her son and her daughter-in-law. One day they would be the rulers of Rome and would need to learn who to trust. There were men here who were her kin; some by marriage and others through the connection of blood. Lucilla was soon seated beside not just Flavia but her stepdaughter, Livia. She gave her a small smile of welcome before the Domina looked towards there next group of guests. There was the former Germanic Prince; followed by the two foreign ambassadors with the promise of a meeting between herself and Artaxias at a later date.

Then Antonia approached and it had been longer then she would have liked from not seeing her friend - and lover. Lucilla listened to her when she spoke and she could only guess what the business proposal would possibly be. Knowing Antonia it was likely to involve both business and pleasure. "Domina Antonia, as ever I am pleased to have you in my company and to listen to whatever business proposals you wish to bring to my ears." Her voice rang out through the crowd; the Augusta lent closer to listen to what Antonia wished and wondered what she wanted to say.

Lucilla kept her expression friendly and dignified. But her eyes twinkled with amusement as the side of her lip gave a small twitch as a smirk came to her lips and the Domina gave a nod of agreement before she watched Antonia disappear into the crowd.

More guests arrived and she assisted in greeting them before she lent closer to Junus. Who was briefly in discussion with a Senator and waited until the introduction was made before she spoke.

"I believe it is time to invite your guests to dinner. You and Junia led the way, followed by myself and then your sisters." She murmured; the guests who would recline closest to them would be family or close political supporters who they wished to show their favour to and she waited for Junus.

[Lucretia Aemilia]

Livia was never happy to be in social groups where real education was found. She did not understand that observations of people, that over hearing conversation and meeting important people could be more beneficial than reading it in the books of people probably long sense dead. Lucretia enjoyed reading of course but her sister took it to such an extreme that the elder often joked that she would die with a book in hand and demand to be buried with them. Every now and again she would turn back to her darker haired sister and roll her eyes or give a frown that clearly stated she was unimpressed.

More so when her father noticed Livia's lack of enthusiasm for the day’s events. "Oh, Livia at least pretend." She scolded, almost letting her of her father's arm to correct her sister properly, she decided better of it in public and instead turned ahead, smiling graciously as the neared the couch in which the newlyweds were waiting to receive their gifts and greetings from the guests. By time they'd neared the front, Lucretia had abanonded pretense of playing adult and was standing on tip toes to get a better look. "How beautiful she looks." She whispered. When they reached the front, she released her father so that he could speak and make their offerings. She raised her large eyes every now and again to get a peek and her fingers had taken hold of Livia's so that they would look united and well-mannered rather than bickering siblings.

Though she was sure she was meant to stay silent, Lucretia could not help but raise her head for one last look at the bride; she was sure she not looked so on her own day, as they passed the family. Livius led them away and she kept a hold of her sister until they were dismissed. Livia went off to read and Lucretia found herself creeping between people, trying to find someone to talk to her. She could not see a single person she recognised and would have wormed her way back to Livia but could not see her either.