The Hippodrome

[Ramses II CP]

Strator Vissarionas ek Lesvou strides into the common entrance of the Hippodrome with some confidence and an uplifted nose. A rather foolish looking cap is pulled down in what he clearly thinks is a rakish manner over his forehead, but a hint of a scar can be seen protruding beneath it onto his forehead. He is immediately swarmed by a small army of petty merchants, all shouting the superiority of their wares and offering everything from meat pies to crude flags in the colors of the teams. The young man is taken somewhat aback, and rather than just push through he takes one of the men by the shoulder and loudly proclaims,

'Why as it happens I've come just for one of those red flags chased in blue! Here, here, let's clear a space and step aside so we can conduct our business in peace!'

The horde slowly breaks up, with many disgusted and disgruntled looks at their luckier brother. Eventually, after a brief bit of haggling, Vissarionas hands over a few coins and takes the miniature red flag. A careful watcher, or one familiar with the Hippodrome, will note that he was significantly overcharged for the crude little construct. Looking about Vissarionas picks a direction and starts walking, climbing a set of stairs and eventually emerging into the stands above the main stadium.

At first his facade of noble indifference holds up, but as his eyes sweep from end to end, taking in the glorious statues and the sheer scale of the structure a faint look of awe comes over him. For many minutes Vissarionas can be seen just standing there, taking it all in with wide eyes and an open face. Eventually his gaze narrows, and he begins to seek out grounds more appropriate to a noble...

[Ituralde]

Pavlos is in a bad mood. The way he is violently chewing on a peanut is one indication of this. Another is the scar that runs from the left corner of his mouth down across his chin and neck, making the left half of his face appear to be set in constant disgruntlement. The third indicator would be the dark look he is casting across the room where he is laying sprawled on a divan, enjoying the cool shade of this recluse for the Senators, the din of the crowd outside muted.

Attacking a second peanut ferociously he doesn't even spare a glance to the youngling entering, choosing instead to follow his own brooding thoughts.

[Ferret]

Hypatios makes striaght for the Nobles' box. On his way he sees a man agressively destroying a peanut and chuckles. He also notices that everyone else in the box has a scar on their face somewhere and mutters to himself

Must just be bad fighters...

[Privateerkev]

Makedonios takes a break from the swearing ceremonies in the Order chambers to come and check out the Hippodrome. Mid-twenties with flowing blonde hair, the man strides through the market. He is adorned with a small scar on his face from when a Turkish sword nailed his helmet too hard and shards broke off. He is dressed simply and plainly and wears a plain white cape with a purple Orthodox cross on it.

Strolling up to a stand, the young noble asks for tea. While standing there, he feels his cape move slightly. With the moves of a veteran, his hand shoots down and grabs the wrist of a small boy who was attempting to lift the Comes's change purse. Expecting a beating, the boy cowers. Makedonios lets go of the boys wrist, purchases a small plate of dates, and hands it to the boy. Patting him on the head, Makedonios walks away with his tea. The boy just stands there in shock and munches on a date.

Makedonios walks around looking for a good place to sit. He sees a noble box at the far end that is out of the way from some of the hustle and bustle. The box is empty and he takes a seat, puts his feet up, and sips his tea. Makedonios sees Vissarionas looking for a seat and waves at the young Strator to come join him.

[00jebus]

After securing a room at a nearby inn, Lisas heads straight to the hippodrome, making a bee-line for the nobles box as child attempts to take his coin purse, though aware, Lisas allows this to happen as he floats into the box and orders some wine, leaving behind a dissapointed child who now owns one empty sack.

Sunlight shines on his boyish face as he pulls out his real coinpurse and orders some wine, the barman looks slightly annoyed at serving someone so young before passing over Lisas' prefered vintage.

Impressed and slightly intimidated by the battle scars of the other patrons, he takes a table in the corner by himself, and pulls out a small book detailing how to judge a chariot team before a race starts

[TinCow]

Romans! Citizens of Constantinople!

In honor of the reign of Basileus Aleksios Komenus and the imminent opening of a new Senate session, I am proud to announce the resumption of racing in the Hippodrome! On the first day of June, you shall witness a great spectacle of sporting delight. Come one, come all, to the Hippodrome on Sunday, Sunday, Sunday! This epic clash between the Blues and Greens will be using fast and agile two-horse chariots, a constant crowd-pleaser!

For the Blue Faction, the Blue Team charioteer will be the man you know and love, Constans Kaspax! Renowned for his kindness and charity, he is the very embodiment of chivalry. He has set an example that all Romans should heed, and has hand-picked an entire team of assistants who are honest and true in all aspects of life. Yet, let it not be said that Constans Kaspax lives by virtue alone. He is a master of the early race and often dominates the crucial opening laps!

Also for the Blue Faction, the Red Team will be led by the ironically named Longinius Nicerite. Ironic, as this stub of a man is nearly a dwarf! 'Longinius' indeed! Can he even see over the horses? That might explain why he performs poorly in the closing laps; he gets tired of standing on his toes!

For the Green Faction, the mighty Green Team will be led by the man you known and love, Falkon Xerus! This famous racer hardly needs an introduction from me, for his accomplishments are known throughout the Empire! He brings with him his equally famous chariot, Belisarius, one of the strongest and most reliable the Hippodrome has ever seen! Yet for all this, the mighty Falkon Xerus has fallen on a string of bad luck. Acts of God and the Whims of Fate have thwarted this man in his recent races. Will he finally break out of this slump, or is he truly cursed?

Finally, last but not least, the Green Faction's White Team charioteer is a man young of age but showing great promise, Phocas Dandalo! He does not have the experience of the other racers, but what he lacks in age he makes up for in spirit! Phocas Dandalo has already shown himself to be a hard driver. He expects much from his horses, and he has the skill the get it from them! The only question is whether such strenuous running will sap the endurance of his team and leave him at a disadvantage in the closing laps.

This exhibition race will be run on Sunday, June 1st. All who wish to observe this historic spectacle are urged to attend!

[Ramses II CP]

At last Vissarionas notices Comes Makedonios and walks in his direction. There is still a touch of awestruck wideness to his eyes, and before he can reach the noble box he passes a poster detailing the upcoming race. Vissarionas pauses for what would seem an unecessarily long time puzzling out the meaning of the scroll, and it becomes obvious that reading is not a skill his tutors over-emphasized.

With his foppish cap still perched somewhat absurdly on his head Vissarionas then continues on to join Comes Makedonios in the noble box at the far end. Immediately on entering Vissarionas snaps off what can only be described as a perfectionist's version of a drill salute to the Comes, and holds it while saying,

"Grandmaster, sir, Strator Vissarionas at your service, sir!"