Rubicon [Concluded]

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

Thank you TC for the most honorable death.

Of course Andres, why should we care about the Populares! They are so totally for the Republic that only Optimates would betray the Senate to the Tyrants.

My suggestion is to not listen to the pitiful rhetoric Andres and GSC, they are both like in mind, and I feel that they do not have the best interests of the town at heart nor spirit.

I believe that my esteemed collegue was suggesting the dangers of placing too much power in the hands of one Senator. While he has shown his love for the Republic in putting aside Optimates ties in order to proscript your traitorous self, there is always the danger that a weak man may seek to wield power over all.

While I commend Sasaki for his operations and impartiality to date, there is always the dangers that a man will favour his close friends and compatriots rather than his more distant colleagues.

[ULC]

I believe that my esteemed collegue was suggesting the dangers of placing too much power in the hands of one Senator. While he has shown his love for the Republic in putting aside Optimates ties in order to proscript your traitorous self, there is always the danger that a weak man may seek to wield power over all.

While I commend Sasaki for his operations and impartiality to date, there is always the dangers that a man will favour his close friends and compatriots rather than his more distant colleagues.

I suggest you cease whoring yourself in attempt to gain favor, you might catch something troublesome. You think me a traitor but I tell you now one amongst your number is indeed a tyrant, and I suspect you most, for even as you give in one hand you take away with the slap from the other.

One among GSC. Aggony, and Split is a traitor to the republic, thanks to the work I and Chaotix accomplished. Due to some background checking, we can confirm both ATPG and Aggony innocent - it is between you and Split, my fine friend of backhandery rhetoric.

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

You attempt to hide your own treachery behind posthumous counter declarations. Your case rejected overwhelming by the Senate, your monstrous schemes halted, all you can do is attempt to haunt those who had you proscribed. Well I for one will sleep sounder tonight knowing that your sleep is much more permanent.

Is it not interesting Senators that a convited criminal of the Pompeian faction has accused a Populares Senator of the highest virtue of being a traitor, while those of the Optimates who have had previously questions raised about their allegiance are proclaimed openly to be innocent.

Enough of your relentless weeping from beyond the grave, shade, cross the River Styx and do not trouble us again!

[Splitpersonality]

I am no traitor, and I intend to prove this YLC.

I wish you not be dead, as to continue your investigation, but I did not realize at the time... I feel traitorous to the republic, maybe tonight I shall drink my sorrows away. Any are welcome to join me.

GSC, if this man speaks the truth, I suggest you make a better case than shooing him away. Not to start anything with you, but it would be wise.

[Andres]

If it's Curio or split, then my money is on split being scum.

[Gaius Scribonius Curio]

I would suggest that if YLC has any evidence of treachery against either myself or our esteemed colleague Split, that he lay it down publicly rather than relying on innuendo and conjecture. Then I would be happy to counter it.

(OOC: My running battle with YLC is 9/10ths RP. Would a Senator of the Republic back down if accused of treachery? I feel it more likely that he would attempt to outshine him through rhetoric. In other words, as far as I am concerned so long as I included the evidence against him, I can shoo and wave away his empty claims all I like. Any solid case laid down by YLC, or anyone else shall be responded to clearly and seriously, but in the absence of one...)

[ULC]

I would suggest that if YLC has any evidence of treachery against either myself or our esteemed colleague Split, that he lay it down publicly rather than relying on innuendo and conjecture. Then I would be happy to counter it.

(OOC: My running battle with YLC is 9/10ths RP. Would a Senator of the Republic back down if accused of treachery? I feel it more likely that he would attempt to outshine him through rhetoric. In other words, as far as I am concerned so long as I included the evidence against him, I can shoo and wave away his empty claims all I like. Any solid case laid down by YLC, or anyone else shall be responded to clearly and seriously, but in the absence of one...)

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

Yes, it's great fun, mostly the reason I haven't come forward with any evidence at all

Sasaki should have everything though.

[TinCow]

“That, Senators, is what a favour from gangs amounts to. They refrain from murdering someone; then they boast that they have spared him!”
- Marcus Tullius Cicero

The Butcher’s wife was sitting by her window, waiting for the evening’s festivities. Seeing would be a bit more difficult due to the black eye that witch, the Fishmonger’s wife, had given her earlier in the day. She told them all about the strange nightly meetings outside everyone’s villa, but the crone hadn’t believed her and had punched her out of jealous. The punch was surely delivered with jealousy over the attention the Butcher’s wife was getting from her stories of the nightly entertainment. The fact that the assault followed immediately after a comment the Butcher’s wife had made about how the Fishmonger’s daughter rutted in a gutter with Gallic slaves was nothing more than coincidence.

This evening, the Butcher’s wife was joined by the Blacksmith’s sister. She also hated the smelly Fishmonger’s wife, though that was partly because she was sleeping with the Fishmonger. In any case, a second pair of eyes would result in more credibility tomorrow morning in the macellum. After a few hours of waiting, the first of the groups appeared. Slinking through the back alleys in four separate groups, a mob of men was moving forward towards everyone’s villa. Sure enough, other men emerged from the shadows to block them.

Both groups carried pugii, but this night the odds were much different. Far from being even, the defenders were outnumbered two to one. The two leaders of the defenders glanced around hesitantly, suddenly unsure of themselves. The attacking group, realizing they for once had a significant advantage, charged directly into battle. A fierce melee began and the numerous attackers quickly gained the upper hand. However, one of the defending groups re-organized themselves and laid into their foes with a mighty surge. The attackers were thrown into disorder and their morale quickly broke. A few shouted in panic and then the rest broke up and disappeared into the dark streets. The defenders, visibly tired and with several wounded men, limped away.

The Blacksmith’s sister was delighted. It was better than a gladiatorial match, and even more pleasurable than even the Fishmonger himself. Perhaps she would spend more nights with the Butcher’s wife in the future. After all, it was hard to get any sleep at the Fishmonger’s house when his daughter was busy wailing all night long.

…

Shinseikhaan was bored. Bored bored bored. He had dared anyone to attack him for days now, but so far nothing had happened. They were all cowards, the lot of them! Ah well, Shinseikhaan would simply have to tide himself over with another wonderful evening in his lavish villa. It was a shame his favorite slave was tending to his wife this evening, as he had needs that that girl could satisfy far better than his lovely spouse. He had been by the macellum earlier in the day, and there was some beautiful young woman behind the Fishmonger’s stall. Ever since then, he simply could not get his mind off of his… urges.

This train of thought was quickly curtailed by the sound of voices being raised in the front courtyard. Curious, Shinseikhaan strolled out to see what all the ruckus was about. He arrived to find the guards at the front gates rushing about frantically.

*WHAM*

Shinseikhaan was startled by the loud noise. There was now a huge crack in one of the main doors. *WHAM* As he watched, the doors buckled and split. *WHAM* The third impact shattered the locking bar, and the doors flew open, scattering splinters everywhere. Through the gap, he could see a large mob of men, some in the process of discarding a hand-held ram, all wielding pugii. The guards were well-prepared for this breach, however, and they had formed for a countercharge through the gate. As soon as the door was open, they raised their weapons and charged forward. The attackers were startled. One man barked out orders for the three groups to fall back, and for a fourth group to attack the sallying guards from the flank.

A few moments of melee ensued, with the guards warily watching both sides, but the flanking move never appeared. Some cursing was heard from the man giving orders on the attacking side, and the pugii-wielders began to fall back towards the city. Suddenly, one of the groups split off and made a feinting attack to one side. This distracted a large number of the guards and several fell wounded. The rest retreated in panic to the villa, pursued by the mob of men who had attacked them.

With the initiative lost, the defenders fought bravely to hold the villa, but the attackers now had momentum on their side and carried the assault forward. The battle raged for several minutes, during which time men on both sides were gravely wounded. Shinseikhaan’s beautiful villa was slowly torn to pieces, but eventually the attackers tired and fell back. The few remaining defenders limped warily around the villa, ensuring that it was indeed secure, before going to tend to their own wounds.

Shinseikhaan’s villa was a wreck, with bodies strewn about and doors and windows broken everywhere. Still, at least it wasn’t just another boring night!

…

Sasaki Kojiro was busy supervising his slaves. He had lost his favorite one recently, an Iberian he had trained for several years for the gladiatorial ring. It was a shame, as he would surely have made a great deal of money on that particular slave. The slave chambers of Sasaki Kojiro’s villa were relatively spacious and comfortable. He believed strongly that comfortable slaves were happy slaves, and happy slaves were obedient slaves. That whole Spartacus fiasco would never have happened if Sasaki Kojiro had been in charge!

“Assemble for review!” he barked down the hallway. Many doors opened, and slaves of all shapes and sizes rushed out to stand before him. He strolled down the hall, inspecting each one for signs of damage. Healthy slaves were effective slaves, and they also sold better at auction. About two-thirds of the way down, Sasaki Kojiro halted. A large man with bulging muscles was standing before him. He had clearly come out of the room that the Iberian usually resided in, but he was most certainly not the Iberian. The new slave must have been hired by his wife…

Sasaki Kojiro was about to berate the new slave for taking the room without prior approval, when the man stepped forward, a broad grin on his face. Sasaki Kojiro took a step back, not appreciating having his personal space invaded in this manner, but the new slave kept moving forward and soon had him trapped against the wall. The muscled man reached up with both arms and grabbed Sasaki Kojiro by the neck with a grip that felt like it could break a marble column. Sasaki Kojiro managed to squeak out a weak “help…” before the air was cut off to his throat.

As if from nowhere, several armed men appeared and charged at the muscled man. He let go of Sasaki Kojiro and turned to batter the new opponents, easily ducking under their swings and throwing them back with well placed punches and kicks. One of the fallen men dropped his weapon, and the muscled man picked it up and his waved it menacingly and with great skill. Two of the armed men who were still on their feet now stood in front of Sasaki Kojiro, their weapons readied. The muscled man stared at them for a long moment before spitting on the ground, and turning on his heels. He ran off into the villa and disappeared. After the defenders collected themselves, they patrolled the villa in search of the man, but they found no trace of him except for a broken window frame in a side storage room.

Sasaki Kojiro was rattled by the attack, but he had survived and for now that was enough. He gulped down a goblet of wine to calm his nerves and went to bed. After he had been prone for many long minutes, some of the deeper shadows behind the furniture and columns began to shift. Dark figures approached Sasaki Kojiro’s recumbent body. One drew a gladius and with a quick jerk, sliced open Sasaki Kojiro’s neck. He awoke with a start, but with his vocal cords severed and his artery gushing, he could do little more than clutch at his throat as his life slowly seeped through his hands.

…

The Senators filed into the Curia in the morning, many bleary eyed for lack of sleep due to paranoia at the anarchy that reigned in the night. Their numbers were beginning to thin considerably, and survival from one night to the next was becoming something of a major victory in itself. A few men glanced at the empty seat in the Optimates section, but most were concerned with the notice nailed to the main doors:

Hello brave and noble senators!welcom to good morning rome, the italian peninsulas favorite spot for gossip, entertainmeant and inside information on our current crisis. Before I begin in earnest this morning, I would just like to do one thing.

...
...

You can't see me, but i'm clapping slowly and sarcastically! Bravo! Bravo, brave senators. Yesterday you had the opportunity to pro script one of Caesar's finest and yet you chose to drag down a deluded former consul instead. An absolutely wonderful performance! For a minute there I almost believed you were stupid enugh to have done that.

the first( well, second, but i'm calling it the first) thing i'd like to discuss today is the senator who goes by the nickname shinseikhaan. This poor creature has been snivelling about his wish to depart the mortal realm for days now! Is no one here a ture roman, willing to give him an honorable death? For shame, i say. Shame! Populares or optimates, it matters not! Let us put this poor man out of his misery before he is forced to take matters into his own hands.

Secondly, i would like to address caesars assertion that Sasaki Kojiro is Pompey the Great. He is not. I am Pompey the Great. And, I would like to admit something to you, brave senators. I have not been entirely truthful with you. I know, it is hard to believe, but I have told one( And only one!) slight falsehood. You see, when I said sasaki was one of my trusted lieutenants, i spoke falsely. He is a staunch defender of the republic and should be treated as such. Though he is misguided he believes he has our best interests at heart.

well, i could go on and on, brave senators, but I feel my time is up so I shall leave you simply with a list of those who are to die and depart. please, tune in tommorrow and have a safe night...

Chaotix
Gaius Scribonius Curio( Finally, the name of a True Roman!)
Shinseikhaan
Ignoramus
everyone

As a rule, men worry more about what they can't see than about what they can.

Alive (22):
Beefy187
Greyblades
LittleGrizzly
everyone
johnhughthom
AggonyDuck
Shinseikhaan
spL1tp3r50naL1ty
Chaotix
Khazaar
Ichigo
Jolt
Gaius Scribonius Curio
Marshal Murat
Iskander 3.1
Captain Blackadder
atheotes
Tratorix
Askthepizzaguy
Ignoramus
TheFlax
Caius

Killed (10):
White_eyes:D
mini
Beskar
Yaropolk
pevergreen
Glenn
GeneralHankerchief
Andres
woad&fangs
Sasaki Kojiro

Proscripted (5):
navarro951
Tiberius of the Drake
Cronos Impera
Cultured Drizzt fan
YLC

WoG/Suicide (0):

It is now Day VII. You may begin voting. This day phase will end on Thursday, May 28th at 2:00pm EST.

[ULC]

You attempt to hide your own treachery behind posthumous counter declarations. Your case rejected overwhelming by the Senate, your monstrous schemes halted, all you can do is attempt to haunt those who had you proscribed. Well I for one will sleep sounder tonight knowing that your sleep is much more permanent.

Is it not interesting Senators that a convited criminal of the Pompeian faction has accused a Populares Senator of the highest virtue of being a traitor, while those of the Optimates who have had previously questions raised about their allegiance are proclaimed openly to be innocent.

Enough of your relentless weeping from beyond the grave, shade, cross the River Styx and do not trouble us again!

You truly are the Curia's butt monkey. I betrayed nothing, and did only what I thought was noble and just. If through my sacrifice the Republic can be saved, then so be it! Death is something any man who holds his values to heart should never fear! Those who would forgo their standards, their beliefs for another day of life deserve it not! I am a Senator! I am for the Republic, be damned my party to ruinous hell if they decide that their coffers beget more attention then their responsibility to the people of Rome!

If you listen to him, then only the dead will have escaped the fate the living will suffer, and the joke shall be upon you! He is not virtuous at all! He still spouts pointless parties divisions! He makes it clear that only one party has the best interests for Rome, and that all others are fools! Rex Follis art though! Support of tyrants, pillagers of freedom and rapists of dignity! Shame be upon those who think this man speaks any truth, he who would divide you along pointless lines through fear, slander, and intimidation!

Forgive me, I have gone on long enough - please divide my estates amongst the people, through a vote of those still with passion and pride for the Republic. My worldly possessions mean naught to me, only that the ideals of Rome be upheld.