Well Isn't This A Fine Mess (open)

[Geminus Vitellius Scaurus]

Continued from HERE

Geminus made it to a spot where he waved down a fast moving slave, and managed to get both cups refilled. Tucking one into the crook of his elbow, he helped himself to the remaining jug of wine with his free hand, earning a look of mild annoyance from the server. Turning about, with the idea of returning to Tiberius, his feet somehow messed up the signals coming from his slightly foggy brain, and one seemed to catch on the other. It was really a wonder that they insisted upon togas being so pristinely white. The jug in his hand slipped and he spilled a great deal of purple red wine down his front. A good bit happened to splash about the immediate vicinity as well, with drips and drops landing on any number of the wedding guests close by. By bending and weaving, Geminus managed to retain his grip on the jug, thereby averting total disaster. Still, he had certainly made a mess – of himself if no-one else, in a major way. With a frown of dismay, he cursed – quietly – and then let out a sigh.

“Well,” he said, mostly to himself. “At least I haven’t fallen down – yet.”

[Alan of the Demetae]

Alan had come to this Roman wedding feast among wealthy and noble Romans along with his brother Aeron. But he felt a bit misplaced. Aeron seemed to know way too many people here, mostly male and naturally the most attractive of them. After their arrival and sharing a drink, Aeron had been busy. Either he was being approached by others, or he had to go for a moment, for he thought he just saw someone else he knew… and Alan, being the older brother, couldn’t and wouldn’t tell Aeron to stick by his side constantly.

Aeron had gone off again and he’d been gone for awhile now. Alan suspected he’d found yet another acquaintance, or friend – Aeron called most of them friends – and they had gone to some more private place to share a moment or two. Alan didn’t want to think about his brother like that, even if it happened more often than he’d like to. He should not even have such thoughts about his brother, but with how Aeron lived his life, it was hard not to.

He went for another goblet of spiced wine, and it was handed to him by a pretty female slave. He took it and drank half of it in one gulp. When he looked up again, his brother emerged at the other end of the room, his arm around some attractive man. They seemed very close and Alan felt a sting inside. Perhaps he should just go for it… but he didn’t know how. Things were easy for Alan back in Britannia, but here in Rome, he was an outsider.

Soon enough, he’d emptied the second goblet of wine since he arrived and considered catching a third from one of the slaves moving around with wine. But maybe he should just go home… he turned to look for the exit, but as he did that, some Roman man stumbled right next to him and spilled wine not only on himself, but also on several other wedding guests nearby… including Alan.

Alan glared at the man. Now his fine clothes were ruined too! Some of the wine even got to the fur Alan wore, and that took special care to wash! The other wore a white toga, but it was not quite as white anymore, with the red wine spilled upon it. The man spoke to himself about how he’d not fallen down, and Alan rolled his eyes, “It may happen yet.”

[Geminus Vitellius Scaurus]

OOC I'm so glad I get to play more with Alan

Geminus’ eyes lifted from the vibrant stain all down his front, to the dark haired man who was now glaring at him – and with good reason. He saw the darker spatters of the wine on the fine grey garments – his victim was quite obviously not Roman. Or at least, he was not dressed as a Roman. And when the man spoke, his accent was thick and his Latin not quite perfect, confirming that he was a foreigner. Geminus grimaced in dismay at the damage he had wrought with his clumsiness, but then he could not contain a small smile. At least it was an apologetic one.

“I’m so very sorry, Dominus. I should be more careful. A thousand apologies.” He chose the title of courtesy though he really had no idea what status this handsome man might hold, here in Rome, or in his own country. That he was a guest at this prestigious event was enough to indicate he had some position of importance, or respect. The fairly typical arrogance that many Romans were imbued with had no place in Geminus’ character. He was easy going and friendly, and didn’t look down on foreigners just because they were not Roman. And this man was so easy on the eyes, Geminus really wouldn’t purposefully want to antagonize him with being impolite, beyond the annoyance he had already inspired with his spill.

He wasn’t so drunk as to be seriously impaired in either his thoughts or balance, despite the little trip up. So he quickly deposited his cup and the jug on a table beside them, and he stepped a bit closer to the man, inspecting the several splashes of dark maroon on the light grey. It was then he also noted it had gone as far as the fur vest, and his small smile slipped right away. His voice was truly sorrowful when he said, “Oh dear – look what I’ve done to your outfit. And such a handsome looking fur.” He shook his head.

“I hope you didn’t mean I might be in danger of falling from you shoving me in retribution.” He gave the man a rueful look. “Though you would be within your rights.” He looked about. “And here we are – at a wedding feast – and no way to clean up. Either of us.” His sorrowful gaze dropped back to his own spoiled finery.

[Alan of the Demetae]

So what if this was a fancy wedding feast for Romans, and this man who spilled wine was one of them… that didn’t change the fact that both Alan’s fine tunica had been stained, and even his fur coat had gotten some wine on it! He wasn’t very fond of that at all and he knew very well that both his brother and his brother’s slaves would make a big deal out of such a fine item of clothing being stained by wine. Plus, he had brought the fur all the way with him from Britannia. And now it might be ruined. How on Earth did Aeron manage to keep his so fine? Probably because he didn’t wear it half the time, he took it off, like everything else…

He saw the Roman look up at Alan after Alan had commented, that it could still happen that the other might fall. Naturally his thought was that he’d help with that fall, if you could call it help. Of course it wouldn’t please anyone if Alan caused a scene over this, but still… he wasn’t happy about it. The stranger smiled apologetically at Alan and also said he was sorry, called him Dominus. This at least, he liked. It made him superior to the other.

“You really should. You’re not alone here, you know.” Alan replied, watching the other man put the jug and cup away on a table and then he came closer to Alan. Sure, Alan had visited the Domus Venus and had come quite close to men there, in ways he wasn’t used to before. But this was a public party; there were so many people here. Aeron was here, and he could just imagine what his brother would say if he saw… but they were only talking, and so far, Alan wasn’t even sure if he liked this man here.

The other noticed Alan’s fur vest now, and apologized again, “It’s my best fur.” Alan said, and the other continued with commenting on Alan’s first statement, that the other might still fall. He said he had a right to do it, but also tried to claim they were in the same situation.

“That is a problem.” He wondered why no one else had approached this half-drunk Roman, surely he had ruined more clothes than simply what Alan wore. But the others hadn’t cared to approach him, and honestly, Alan had not done it either. He’d been the approached one… but here they were, that was true… “What do you suggest we do about it?”

[Geminus Vitellius Scaurus]

Geminus bit at his lip as he considered this problem. It was true – wedding guests rarely came packing a second set of clothes, just in case. His own home was too far away to suggest returning there, though he would have assuredly offered this man a loan of some of his own clothes – even an outright gift, to make up for the stained ones. They seemed of about the same size. And as he had no idea where the one he had run afoul of lived, he couldn’t very well suggest that he return to his own domus. It might be even farther than Geminus’. He was staring at the dark haired man, enjoying the view despite the dilemma he presented, when Geminus had a thought. A bright smile lit up his face as the idea blossomed.

“You know . . . “ he began tentatively, not knowing how his brilliant idea would be received by the foreigner. He looked down at his own stained clothes and swept a hand in front of them, almost as if he was displaying them for inspection. “I’m sure the wine only reached as far as the outer layers of my toga.”

The swathes of cloth did indeed create almost a table cloth effect there, at his front. Geminus pulled the fabric out a bit and peered down, to the fine tunica underneath. Some Roman men wore the toga in the traditional way, with nothing underneath but perhaps a loin cloth. Geminus preferred the ability to take it off as soon as possible – he hated the things. So it was convenient to have a tunica on underneath, in case he would be somewhere else and not ready to fall right into bed – his or someone else’s.

“Yes, I’m sure my tunica is not stained at all.” His voice was growing more confident. He held out his hand again, this time towards the other guest. “And look. Your breeches escaped being splattered. The wine fell only on your tunica and, and . . . your furs.” His tone became apologetic again. “I can’t do anything about that, I don’t think. But . . . If we found a place to exchange garments, I’m happy to let you have my clean tunica.” He looked down again. “It’s a very fine one, almost brand new. You could have it to wear and you wouldn’t be all spotty.”

Geminus looked back up, at the other’s outfit. “And . . . If I just turned the material of my toga about – I think I could manage to make the stain not show as much. I don’t mind to give up my tunica – it’s the very least I could do.” He paused considering. “And if you give me yours, and your fur, I could send them with a slave, back to my house and have them cleaned, right away. I’m sorry . . . “ His shoulders moved in a shrug. “I don’t have any idea how to clean them, but maybe someone at my house does?”

His dark eyes looked optimistically at the man he had inadvertently mussed. The more he thought about it, the better he liked this idea. So he hoped the guy would think it a good one as well.

[Alan of the Demetae]

The other was the one who stained Alan’s clothing, and his own, so Alan thought it was up to him to find a solution to their current problem. It’s not like Alan hated Romans or anything, but he wasn’t quite as open-minded as his brother. And just because he was from Britannia and not Roman, didn’t make him less important than they were. He watched the stranger bite his lip as he thought about what to do, and then the other smiled as if he had an idea. He spoke of how the wine had only reached the outer layers of his own toga, but what did that help Alan?

He watched the other search it all, and apparently his tunica was not stained. Alan was surprised when the other offered that Alan could have his tunica, and he’d just wear the toga… and he would also make sure Alan’s tunica and fur were cleaned. That was quite a lot to offer, and Alan kind of liked the idea.

“And you’ll be fine with not wearing a tunica?” Alan asked, he didn’t know anything about how Romans usually wore their togas and tunicas and whatever they named it all… “I like your idea. I just… have to be sure I get the fur back. I brought it with me from Britannia. I need it back.” He said again, Aeron would never forgive him if he lost the fur, and his family would not be pleased either. Sure, he could get a new one that looked just like it, but it wouldn’t be the same…

Having said that, there were other things to think about too, “So where do we go to change? I don’t know this place…” Alan looked around, he saw no one he knew and how large the place was. What to do? He didn’t even know the Roman who stained his clothes.

[Geminus Vitellius Scaurus]

Geminus nodded with alacrity at the man’s question. He was happy his idea was acceptable, and now he was feeling quite enthusiastic about it. “Oh, it will be fine.” He gestured with a nod at the crowd about them. “The traditional style of wearing the toga is to go bare chested underneath. I . . . I have my reason for preferring wearing a tunica as well, though.” He didn’t think he needed to go into details there. The other guest could make of that assertion what he would.

“And most assuredly, you will have all returned to you, cleaned as carefully and as thoroughly as can be – even if we have to send out for an expert.” He drew himself up a bit, to show some family pride. “The Vitellii honor their promises, and pay their debts, of whatever kind.” Now, neither of those statements were completely true, but they sounded good.

At the next question, though, Geminus felt his first tiny doubt at the wonderfulness of his idea. Where indeed could they change? He too was a complete stranger to the palace. His branch of the Vitelli hadn’t been important enough to merit notice by any of the Caesars. He frowned a bit, looking about vaguely. He shrugged.

“Well, there must be some room in this huge palace where we can have some privacy. Let’s . . . um, walk this way.” He nodded again, this time towards the open doors that led out of the aula regia. “I’m sure we’ll encounter something suitable in no time.”

He looked at the other man with an optimistic expression. “It shouldn’t take long. And as we’re going to exchange clothes, I guess I should introduce myself properly. I’m Geminus Vitellius Scaurus.” He waited with an expectant air to know the name, and perhaps the origins, of his unplanned companion for the next few minutes.

[Alan of the Demetae]

Alan forgot to consider the fact that this meant he might be alone in a room, undressing with another man. In the past, that had never been a problem, but it might be now, because Aeron was so open about his sexuality and Alan could not help thinking about it. But at the moment, he had not thought about it at all. He’d been far too busy with how to get his fine tunica and fur clean again. The stranger said that he’d be fine with not wearing a tunica underneath his toga, but said he had his reasons for doing it. Alan wondered what that was, but he didn’t ask.

Next the other assured Alan that he’d have his clothes returned and cleaned as good as they could be. He said his family – Alan assumed the Vitellii was a family name – kept their promises and all that, “That sounds good then.” Alan said and really hoped it was true. But they still had to find a place to change, and the other frowned, he didn’t know where to do it perhaps? He suggested a way to walk.

“Well… I think I saw… someone emerge from a chamber this way. They very much looked like they’d been in private there…” Alan said, thinking about where he saw Aeron and that other man come from. He headed in that direction, all while the other introduced himself. They all had such long names here in Rome. Sure, Alan had his title – and he used that and that of his tribe here, because it sounded more right and better – but back home, he’d just be Alan. The Demetae was the name his tribe, not his family. They didn’t really have a family name.

“I’m Alan of the Demetae.” Alan said, he mentioned just before that he brought the fur with him from Britannia, so surely this Geminus could put two and two together. It was a bit strange, meeting someone like this… what would his brother have done? Oh he knew what, and he’d not do that, but he’d be more friendly, would he not? Now that the other did try his best to make up for his mistake before… “Perhaps, after we’ve changed clothes, we can share a drink or two. Celebrate that everything will be alright?” Alan suggested then, and thought that sounded very good. Aeron had said it was very important to mingle and get to know people in Rome. Especially people of good social status, and Geminus seemed to be that sort of man.

[Geminus Vitellius Scaurus]

If Geminus noted the slight hesitation in his newfound companion’s voice as he pointed out a room from which he’d seen some others emerging, the twin said nothing of it, and simply followed in Alan’s wake. The other introduced himself in turn, and then went so far as to suggest that perhaps after this quick exchange, they could share a cup of wine together. Geminus smiled happily at that.

“That sounds like a good idea. Perhaps it will give me more chance to really make amends for this mess,” he replied, catching up with Alan and giving him a friendly pat on the back.

“What brings you to Rome, Alan of the Demetae,” he asked with a bit of a teasing air when he used the modifier to the name. He wasn’t trying to be mocking, only humorous. They had reached the room that Alan had pointed out and slipped inside. So now Geminus, without further preamble – perhaps his inhibitions (of which he had very few in any case) had fallen by virtue of the assault of the wine coursing through him – began to unwind the voluminous length of the toga. Amazingly, it came off fairly easily, and he rumpled it up and tossed it over the back of a leather chair. Next, he even more quickly drew the tunica that he wore underneath over his head, turned it right side out, and held it out to Alan.

“Here you go. As I said, not a spot on it.” If he was cognizant of the possible impropriety of standing there before the other man completely nude, he sure wasn’t acting like it. There was a reason that he typically did wear a tunica under his toga, that being his aversion to the wearing of the subligculum that many, but not not all, Roman men wore.

[Alan of the Demetae]

They were on their way to a hopefully more private room, in which they could change and switch clothes. Alan had seen Aeron emerge from it, and was almost sure of what his brother had been doing there, but now it was his turn. And he’d not do anything there, right? He went on with the conversation and suggested they could share a drink afterwards, and Geminus seemed to like that idea.

“Then it is settled.” Alan replied and glanced at the other when he gave him a friendly pat on the back. Once more he was reminded of his brother, who liked to touch in some way all the time, and apparently… well this Geminus did not mind either. Of course he was just being friendly, right? That was it. It’s not like Alan had that much in common with his brother. As they entered the room, Geminus asked what brought Alan to Rome, there was a teasing note to the voice but Alan ignored it. Why did people always have to ask that question?

“I came here to see my brother… Aeron. He’s also attending the party.” Alan explained shortly, and stopped when he saw that Geminus had begun undressing himself. It was as if it wasn’t anything special, he unwinded that toga, which was tossed onto a chair and then he slid out of his tunica. He stood there in all his naked glory, much sooner than Alan had thought about or expected or anything, and he felt a slight heat rise to his cheeks as he reached down to pull off his own tunica.

That went much more slowly than Geminus, also because he thought he could hide the slightly flushed face while taking it off. He turned a little away from Geminus, and then he dropped the tunica to the floor and reached for Geminus’.

“You’re right… not a spot.” Alan said, trying hard to not look at the other man… which naturally didn’t work, for since he tried to not focus on it he was automatically focusing on it. Gemnius was a well shaped man, he thought. Aeron would like him… but Alan was not Aeron. He was not. “So… shouldn’t you get dressed again too?”