Book I: Chapter 9 | Symposia

“Fortune Favors the Bold”

An elf girl wearing a ceramic mask crudely resembling Pliny spoke with exaggerated gestures before the reclining crowd.

“That is what the helmsman said, to me, Pliny,
My home and my family I left behind, yet fortune’s favor I still could not find.”

A group of Three other Elves wearing similar masks now spoke.

“Plinius, Commander, Where shall we row?
“Pompeii is blockaded”
“There is nowhere to go.”

Barbara pretended to watch while pretending to sip her beverage. Allowing the warm spices tickle her nose, while tempting herself with a sip. She allowed her mind to wander as the cloaked and masked figures gesticulated and shouted about the Fire of Vesuvius. She had heard it all before. Several times in fact. Two of the elves in choral masks, Olivia Plinia Luna, and Titus Plinius Lunus were practicing regularly just outside of the window in the dark hours of early morning. She liked to think her occasional pillow tosses at Olivia every time she botched the meter of “Pietas Pompanianibus” earned her some credit as an acting coach.

Pliny:

The smoke of the mountain, it blooms like a tree.
Chorus:

Your stylus, Plinius, so the future may see.

Barbara cringed at the forced Plin-Eye-Us, turned to see if it irritated him.

True stoic, That Pliny. Wait! Why is this play about Pliny?

The realization suddenly dawned on her. This play was specifically commissioned for this banquet.

It's not to flatter Pliny, that's for sure.

She looked over at the unreadable face of her adoptive father, watching the play in silence. Sipping the strong beverage, in one hand, and finger tapping along to the meter.

Olivia has been dreaming of telling the Story of their mother Lorara Moonlight, last of The Parentes. It's some of her best work too, why not showcase it here?

Chorus:

The fire spreads to the buildings below, sulfur smells waft the waves.

Plinius:

So many countless seek shelter, Romans search the caves.

Alexander likely had his firm hands in this too, but if it was up to him, he would commission a play on Julius Caesar or someone. What is his angle here?

She turned to see Alexander in the distance, opposite to her and next to Pompanianus. He is whispering with Pompanianus. Then out of the corner of his eye sees Barbara, He turns to her from the distance, smiles and raises his glass. Castra in front of her turns and glowers.

Barbara looked away.

Chorus:
Pious Pompanianus, where does he reside?

If Rectina has fallen, where else can we try?

The City of Pompeii is further ashore

Could Herculaneum offer us more.

Pliny:

Pompeii was invaded, only ash now survives.

The City of Hercules, too, it was boiled alive.

Any soul near the mountain, they are already below.

To son of Plotius, who in Stabiae, we go.

So Alexander commissioned this feast, to convince us, and therefore his father, to do… something. He wants a Blemmiye, he wants my support, and apparently he wants us to think of Pliny’s death?

Barbara dared to take a sip of her drink. Allowing the spiced beverage to wash over her mouth. And burn her tongue. The pleasantness hit quickly. Even with as much water she and the elv- Dryadae needed to dilute the drink, it still quickly started to have its effect.

Chorus:

To Pliny your Younger? your Nephew? what then?

What of your sister you shall not see again?

Plinius:

In Misinium I leave him, to my affairs I now trust.

Sail! To Stabiae or Styx, Sail I must.”

Well, there is the Line, it has improved slightly.

Barbara turned again to Pliny’s recliner to see how irritated he was. It must be unbearable having your language butchered with such hamfisted dramatics. But her knowing smile faded when he looked at the man.

To most looking at him, Pliny’s expression wouldnt have changed. Its still the same stern teacher keeping constant poise, face neutral, and eyes unyielding. But Barbara saw the little details. The Softness in his eyes. He blinked…slowly on the name of “Rectina.” He would on occasion look into his drink where the ripples a soft smile would grow around his upper cheeks and eyes.

Is he smiling? Does he like it? Maybe not, but he knows they are really giving him and its not words. Its Pietas.

Barbara reflects on the word. It's one the Pompaniani uses religiously, and the Plinii use sacredly.

We honor our Parentes by honnoring our elders. We give to Pliny what can not be given to them.

It struck her that she had never actually heard the whole story of Pliny told before. She knew it, everyone knew it. It was a story absorbed through fragmented pieces from the Two Roman’s discussion, along with their past work with an Emperor named Vespasian.

It probably isn’t a happy memory to him is it? How does he feel. Does he feel unfinished? A failure? Disappointed?

Olivia and Titus must have painstakingly gathered information from Pliny, Pompanianus, and the Other elves to compose this: a history of how their father came to save them.

And rather than help them, I sat by the sidelines and threw pillows.

Barbara turned away to recline on her elbows and stare into her glass. A knot started to form in her stomach.

You have triumphed, o cup.

She takes a large drink and lets it burn her shame.

Chorus:

You feared her before, Pliny, yet her admiration you hold.

Sail on Pliny, Fortune favors the Bold.

The Actor playing Pliny walked through the door frame that made the stage. The audience clapped, then politely waited a moment before chatting amongst themselves.

She wanted to go ask Pliny what he thought, but as she turned to him he saw Olivia and Titus, still in their robes but the masks off. Pliny was offering gentle critiques of their form in between praise of their studiousness and courage in trying difficult forms. The beaming siblings listened eagerly. Barbara changed her mind.

She turns to Castra on the Other side. She is already on her second glass.

In vinas veritas

Barbara speaks to her in gentle elvish, asking about the difficulty preparing for Alexander’s big event.

“Castra, you look wonderful in your new tunic, the Green stripes suit your eyes. I’m amazed you had time to prepare yourself and do the cooking for the event.”

“Did Alexander tell you anything about his plans?” Castra asked with an arched eyebrow.

“No”

“Well you aren’t fishing anything out of me either! You only have to wait a little longer.”

“I just wanted to know if you knew. I mean. You must be close with Alexander since you are all kinsmen.”

Pollux popped his head over his sister and interrupted.

“Alexander mostly talks with father when he is not working on his own project. We actually don’t see him that much. And when we do. It's irritating. He starts demanding all these little exacting details…”

“Shush, Ononi!”

Castra then took a long drink from her glass, and looked out to the other side of the semicircle of couches. On the other side was Alexander. Pompanianus had so many members that she was here on the border between the two houses.

So far away from him.

“Listen, I have a little Hypothetical for you.”

Barbara’s ears perked up a little.

“You know how we all got adopted, You by Pliny, Alexander by Pompanianus, and Us…also by Pompanianus.”

“Yes, so?”

“So he’s part of our house now, and I know we are all one big family in spirit and bonds et cetera.”

Castra’s red nose wrinkled and she tried to think of a way to ask without embarrassing herself.

“So, is he my brother now? You know, like a real brother like Pollux is. Just curious.”

ohhh.

Barbara let out an involuntary giggle.

“Well, hypothetically, we are part of the same Gens, which is kind of like a family but is more like an Elf Tribe with a common ancestor. Thats why you all have different Cognomens like the Midorii or Foliargenti.”

“So those are different families, within a family?”

“Yes.”

“So…”

"Pliny says it wasn't uncommon for different families within the gens to marry."

Castra looked relieved.

“Wow, that’s so…interesting. I really should learn more about all this history and culture, really enlightening.”

She nods too quickly then moving strands of red hair away from her face takes another gulp and looks more sincere.

“I appreciate you helping me out, especially since you got to spend some time alone with him.”

She spoke the two sentences as if they were connected.

Barbara gives her a mischievous smile.

“Castra, Alexander and I both pursue excellence, How can I be triumphant if my opponent doesn’t know how to play?”

Castra’s face returns the wicked smile, and turns around.

Barbara grabs the pitcher from the table.

“One more couldn’t hurt.”