{{*supressed giggling*}}
{{You have caused this demon, Alexandros is now mad and the Imperium will now suffer the consequences for it}}
{{*supressed giggling*}}
Senator Harun Al-Askari
Harun took Alexios's hand, and the implied challenge with it. As two powerful men do, each tried to crush the other, smiling at one another. After a few moments, satisfied with his opponent's strength, Harun released Alexios. The man's hand bore the calluses of a soldier, more than could be asked of the average noble. He was satisfied.
"To those who have just arrived, I am Harun, of the considerably less ancient house of Al-Askari"
Senator Alexandros Mandromenos
This seed of madness is a letter, placed in the room before anyone arrived. I remind you the Blues claimed something similar twenty years ago. It was found when Ouranos knocked a cup over. We must ensure one of the same isn't here. Instead of turning the missive over to the President like a true Roman, the fool di Capponi opened it, and the secret message within drove the Whites mad. Their unwillingness to work with the proper authorities was nothing short of betrayal. If we find one such letter here, we must not make the same mistake.
Senator Zeno Urbicus Mojmirid
Zeno was a thin man, in spite of his thin frame Zeno boasted a well toned body from years of travel and hunting. Unlike many of his fellow senators, Zeno's garb was a simple white toga worn by dignitaries and senators from the ancient Greek times. A belt, adorned with gold laurel leaves, was tied around his waist. His darkened skin might have been once a peach white, but years under the hot Levant sun had changed that. As he stepped into the tower John followed in close behind, a satchel slung around his shoulder.
"Dear Senators, I do apologize for my tardiness. The seas were a fair bit rougher than I had expected. Ah where are my manners, I am Zeno, last son of Quintus, of the Mojmirid dynasty. I only wish we could have met in a more pleasant time. Senator Alexios, I believe? I have heard tales of your exploits on the field of battle."
Zeno extended his hand in the proper Roman greeting. After greeting Senator Alexios, Zeno noticed a man, covered head to toe in black.
"Again I feel I must apologize, I did not notice you behind Senator Alexios, and unfortunately I do not recognize you."
Before the man in black could answer Zeno's eyes fell up on Senator Alexandros. After taking a step back in shock Zeno regained his composure and bowed deeply to the elderly senator.
"Had I know we would have been in such esteemed company I would have brought my silk toga. It is an honor to make your acquaintance Senator Alexandros."
Turning back, Zeno addressed the senator in black. "I do apologize for cutting you off. If I may be so rude, what is your name?"
{{I am not RPing John, he is a silent character and will have no personal actions}}
{{THE SKY IS FALLING! THERE WAS A WOLF! COLONEL MUSTARD IN THE BALLROOM WITH THE CANDLESTICK! THE WHITES ARE HERETICS AND NEED TO BE PURIFIED BY THE FLAME}}
Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna:
Would that all the senators were like this, perhaps the empire would not have come to such grief.
"Worry not, friend, we are not the White Demes, to consider an honest mistake. Though I would not be so quick to eat food that has not been tested, not after what befell the infamous senate session twenty years ago."
Alexio's demeanor instantly becomes less hostile. Though he still does not like or trust this stranger, his words do justify his presence. "I have heard of the Capponis... they consort with Pisans and other scum." He becomes thoughftul. "Is this some sort of jape, perhaps at some dyantoi's behest?" Or perhaps the emperor wishes to divide and distract us, he thought darkly, though he is not nearly fool enough to voice such heresy aloud. Once he would have thought it unthinkable that the Emperor would wish his loyal subjects ill, but now, with the Imperium in such dires traits? The Emperor was said to hide behind a veil... his elder brother had been set aside, why it was not known, and now rumors said one of the Angeloi's cousins was the figure of a heretical cult.
"Something is afoul in Constantinople, and I believe it is in our interests to know what it is. I suggest we, along with whatever allies we might find in the senate, launch an investigation into this incident, in conjunction with the Vice President of the Senate, who should be our Faction Leader in the wake of the upcoming session."
He begins to search the room, focusing specifically on the food brought in by the servants.
Senator Alexandros Mandromenos
The di Capponi Family is indeed corrupt. I believe contact with rebels in Italia has turned him. It is strange that he managed to evade a province full of rebels anyway. Anyways, on to more important matters than the rightful purging of the Whites, the selection of the Speaker. Remind me, who is eligible for the position?
Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna:
Alexios flashes his teeth in what only a wolf might call a smile. "It is past time an Este held the position as Speaker of the Red Demes. In these trying times who better to lead the Reds than a proven battle commander of an ancient Red House?"
Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna:
Alexios flashes his teeth in what only a wolf might call a smile. "It is past time an Este held the position as Speaker of the Red Demes. In these trying times who better to lead the Reds than a proven battle commander of an ancient Red House?"
Senator Alexandros Mandromenos
I have little doubt a skilled commander would make a proper Speaker of the Reds, but I would like to know the list of eligible candidates and their qualifications. I would like to hope that unlike the Whites, there is more than one proper candidate. Speaker Pyraeus seemed to be a good man, but his failure to reign in the chaos is what caused the madness to take the Whites.
Senator Alexios Este-Ravenna:
I do not presume to speak for my fellow Senators, nor does it behoove a man of means to boast of his own accomplishments. I am a servant of Rome and a Roman, that is a man of the army, first and forever.
Senator Harun Al-Askari
I fear that I am not an experienced enough politician to be speaker. I support senator este-Ravenna
Senator Zeno Urbicus Mojmirid
"Although my family has long lasting ties to politics of the Imperium, I am far to young to ever be taken seriously as a leader for the Reds. I to support Este-Ravenna's nomination. On the topic of the Food, honestly in these trying times it is foolish to believe in shadows in the corner and whimsical tales of daemons. The only true daemons are men, and men alone."
*Pausing, Zeno picks up an apple and begins to eat it.*
"Honestly senators, if this is our time to die, then by god it will be. There is no sense in fearing the unknown, I survived the plague by pure happen chance. Had I not been traveling at the time I would have likely been killed like so many in my family. Remember, we are soldiers above all else, fear is an emotion that we are not privy to."
*As Zeno finishes he takes another large bite of the apple. Pausing mid bite, Zeno removes a couple of scrolls from the satchel John is holding.*
"Now, Senators, if we could be so obliged, I suggest we discuss the business at hand. If at all possible I would like to discuss the integration of Bavaria into the Imperium. As the years have gone by they have grown more and more distant. Rather than being a true vassal they act more like a satellite, free from the burdens of helping their betters. Any thoughts on the matter?"
*Leaning back into his chair, Zeno's demeanor is care free, happy to await a response from his fellow dems.*
Senator Donasien de la Lumiere
*Two riders move past the blackened houses, the sound of the horseshoes muffled by the ash. The ash had gotten on Donasien's face, as well, smearing across his unshaven cheeks. His hair, black and slightly curled, falls in ringlets around his tanned face. His armor is leather, of a good quality and artistic make, but worn and still stained with dried blood. His cloak is green, gold and tattered. At his left side he wears a short sword, on his right he wears a pistol, and on his back is a longsword, of the sort the knights of Aquitaine and France of old wore; it is chipped but gleams even through the smoke, and has a single emerald engraved on the hilt.
The other rider is his twin sister, Athanasia. She wears a cloak, dark blue in color, that hides the dark curls of her hair under a heavy hood. Her face is pale, but her eyes are green like her brother's. Despite the smoke and the ash and the intermittent screams, her face remains serene. She wears a silver dagger, thin as a needle, at her hip.
The approach the Gatehouse...*
*A door slams open below. Feet come up the steps, and the door to the meeting room slams in similar fashion. Donasien, short, slim, thirty-three of age, walks into the room. He glances around at the senators, at the Reds, his colleagues, and gives a wry smile.*
I apologize, Senators. I was wandering about the city and lost track of time. Please, continue as you were, I will follow long. I am Donasien de Lumiere, *he adds as almost an afterthought as he walks through the room*, kentarchos of the 13th Tagma. Pleasure to meet you all, naturally. And a pleasure to be around soldiers again, *he adds with a wink* instead of those pudgy bureaucrats that this city so loves.
But I must ask, who brought those hordes of bodyguards with them? *His eyes fall on Alexandros.* You, Senator? An impressive show of force, to be sure, but if I'd have known this was a bring-your-own-army occasion, I would have brought my tagma along. They're still in the field at the moment...fighting, or something? *He gives Alexandros a long look and the smile again, biting and bitter.* But I suppose that's because they're soldiers. Not a merchant prince's thugs.
*With that Donasien falls into a chair. He looks towards the remaining platters of food thoughtfully; then, slowly and deliberately, he pulls an apple from his pocket, and brings to chew.*