Senator Titos Livios Melissenos (the Blues):
*Titos Livios, while already in his mid fifties, still shows the energy of a much younger man, as he enters the halls of the senate. His step is quick and his eyes are wandering over the benches, that last were used in the times of his grandfather Lazaros. It used to be ironic: His mother Aelia moved heaven and hell to gain the senatorial seat for him, even recruiting the help of senator Salamis and even arranging a political marriage with his house. All so Titos had a better chance of gaining the rule over Athens from his uncle Kyros. And then? The Senate laid dormant and so there had never arisen a chance to gain the necessary political power. Titos had made his peace with this fact long ago and throw himself into other businesses, mainly financial in nature, with the help of his beloved wife.
And now the emperor has called the Senate and Titos wasn't sure, what he should think about that. Nonetheless he was eager to prove his worth. As it is time for him to speak, he rises from his seat.*
Honoured president of the Senate, fellow Senators. It's an... unexpected privilege to be here on this day to serve the Empire in this function. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Titos Livios, representative and member of the House Melissenos.
*Already from his first words, spoken with slight hesitation, it is clear, that Titos is a man who prefers a private conversation over public speaking. Nonetheless he continues and his voice can be heard even on the farest seats.*
Before I get to the maters at hand, please let me say that I feel hornoured to serve this senate together with so many illustrious, hornourable and pious men, many able to claim much more titles for them self and are much more important than I am. Still, I would be a poor man to brake with tradition and so I would like to follow the lead of my grandfather and invite you all to a banked in the halls of my families mansion after our session is over so we get to know each other better outside the political arena and show, that, tho we might be political enemies here, we don't have to be personal enemies outside this halls.
Now, as I have strained your patience, on the matter at hand: I don't want to add to the discussion on the naval matters quite yet, since this is an area I'm not that experienced and I would like to here your words and the ones of our esteemed guest to it first.
On the expedition in the eastern seas, my answer is clear: Such an expedition is deeply necessary. It's an old cliche, that knowledge is power, but that doesn’t make it less true and measured on the expenses of the empire the expenses for this expedition would be minuscule. I'm sure, many of our houses would be able to finance an venture like this on our own or would gladly take part in the financing. So there is really no reason not to do it.
Now, concerning the matter of this place called Ceylon, the matters are much more complicate. I see several point speaking for it: It would allow the empire to gain a presence in the region and also a place from which further expeditions – like the one we discuss on this very day – can start. Although it might be added that this could also be done by negotiating for the use of ports. Still, other points are, that we might gain further knowledge on the region, its inhabitants and its customs from the locals as well as goods of which might some never have been seen in Constantinople.
But I will also not conceal the point I think should be of the biggest concern: From our limited knowledge of the region, we don't know if we might not enrage some realm, which sees this Ceylon as part of it's sphere of influence. We have already many strong enemies at our borders – Xenoi, Pisans, the Hords – we shouldn't start to create new ones abroad.
*He stops himself and looks along the ranks of the senators.*
It seems to me, that I have already spoken to long, so I will now be silent for a moment and listen to what you have to say. There are more matters at hand still and I will probably say enough to them for you to want to strangle me, but let's delay that a bit.
*He smiles and bows lightly, before taking his seat again and drinking a huge mouthful of wine.*