#Palatine High School

[kevinmmiller]

"A League of Their Own"

Part of My Forthcoming Political Memoir “Time of My Life��� (tentative) Baseball which was something that I enjoyed as a kid. And a sport that I still enthusiastically incorporate into my life. Had, by the fourth grade, become something which I knew could carry the day. And, eventually propel me into the local, and national media’s spotlight. In Tampa, Florida. And the surrounding area. One of the…

[postcard-from-the-past]

High school in Neustadt an der Haardt, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany

German vintage postcard

[missadangel]

The Heart of Rome (Marcus Acacius x OC)

All Chapters List

XIX. Trouble (Smut!18+!MDNI)

Nulla sunt arcana quae tempus non indicat.

There are no secrets that time does not reveal.

                                                                  J.R.

"Hanno?" You stammered slightly. It was strange to see him standing before you after such a long time and even more confusing to feel uncertain about how to respond. "Is that really you?"

He smiled, displaying his familiar smile.

"I think so."

That was exactly the sort of response he'd give.

"There he is!"

A man shouted from behind, momentarily distracting you. Hanno narrowed his eyes and swore.

"Get him! Quickly!”

Before you could even think, Hanno grabbed your arm and whispered in your ear, "I'll be at the popina (wine bar) near the gladiator school tomorrow." He took a quick look over your shoulder.

Geta looked alarmed when he saw the men running towards you. "Aurelia! Protect the princess!"

"I have to go now. I'll wait for you there, Aya."

You opened your mouth, but you couldn't say anything; you just watched him running down the street, getting away. The men stormed past you and ran after him, while Geta and the guards came to your side in a hurry.

"My lady! Are you alright?"

Geta grabbed your shoulders. "Did he do something to you?"

You shook your head.

At that moment, the sound of horses neighing echoed around.

"General!" one of the guards called out, looking backwards.

You both looked over there.

Marcus jumped off his horse, eyes narrowed, which made you nervous. He was looking at Geta's hands on your shoulders as he walked quickly towards you, so Geta swiftly removed his hands from your shoulders.

"Acacius, you are very intuitive."

But he did not look at him, his eyes fixed on yours. You smiled at him, though it was weak.

"My lady, I was not aware of your intention to visit here." His voice was filled with curiosity. He turned his eyes to Geta.

"I have asked her to accompany me here."

You were about to answer yourself when the men who had just chased after Hanno turned around with him, grabbing both arms. Geta stopped them with a raised hand.

They bowed to him.

"Who is this man? How dare you touch the princess? Speak!"

You looked at Geta, getting mad at him for mentioning 'touching thing' in front of Marcus. Just as you expected, he clenched his jaw, tensing up.

“I said speak!”

Hanno didn't answer, he just glared at him menacingly, which made them even more tense.

"Emperor Geta asked you a question!" Marcus snarled.

"He escaped from the gladiator school, Your Majesty. We've been looking all over for him." One of them replied.

"He's from the colonies, your highness. He only speaks his native language." The other one explained.

Your eyes widened as Marcus gripped the handle of his sword.

"He meant no harm," you said, your voice cracking.

"Gladiator?" Geta tilted his head and studied his face. He then looked at them and yelled. "How could you let him escape and roam free on the streets? You useless bastards!"

Hanno looked at Marcus in a slightly odd way; there was a clear sense of tension between them.

"What the hell are you waiting for?" Geta gestured with his hands. "Get him out of here now!"

You placed both hands on Marcus' as he gripped his sword. "I'm alright," you reassured him.

Your touch had the usual calming effect on him. But his expression didn't soften until the men pushed Hanno into the prisoner's carriage. Hanno gazed at you from within the cage as you watched his departure, and you struggled to keep a straight face while trying to suppress your feelings. Marcus looked at you, examining your face. "Are you certain you're alright?" he asked, knowing you well enough to read your facial expressions correctly.

You smiled and nodded. "I am, really. But I thought you were in the barracks," you said, glancing at Octavius behind him.

"I was..." Marcus said then turned his gaze to Geta. "There is an urgent matter. I need to take you to Palatine Hill."

Geta narrowed his eyes. "Is it about that bastard cousin of mine?”

Marcus glanced at the children gathered around you, and the people looking at you with curious eyes. "I think you'd better see for yourself when you get there. Shall we?"

"I simply hope that one day will pass without incident! Just one!" Geta grumbled as he walked with the guards to the carriage.

Marcus smirked then he turned towards you. "I believe you would like to come with us, my lady."

It wasn't a question or a request, but the way he was acting made you curious.

"I'd like to come with you, General, if that's alright. It's been over a month since I paid my respects to my father anyway."

"As you wish, my princess.” He was usually a bit hesitant about you going there, but not today, apparently. He helped you onto the carriage and winked at you before walking over to his own horse and getting on.

"General Acacius. Commander Darius. What is the meaning of this? Tell me what's happening here at once!”

You were as bewildered as Geta as you took in the scene before you on Palatine Hill. Nerissa, the slave girl you thought was dead, was alive—and she had a baby with her.

"Your cousin Elagabalus was holding this girl captive, Your Majesty," Darius explained. "My men found her and brought her here."

Geta's eyes widened in surprise. "Why would he do that?" he asked loudly.

You sat down next to Nerissa, who looked frightened. Embracing her, you felt her begin to cry. The baby was crying too; it seemed he had been born only a few weeks after your own. As a mother yourself, you could tell that the baby was hungry. “Why don’t you gentlemen talk outside?” 

All three of them looked at you and nodded, except Geta, who frowned instead of nodding.and then all left. The girl then explained to you everything that had happened to her while she was breastfeeding the baby. After Flavius and his men had attacked all the slaves and wounded her, the other guards, the ones under Macrinus captured her. And after Macrinus was executed, they cooperated with the men of Leptis Magna and handed her over to them. And she said that she was already close to labour when Elagabalus found her. Poor girl was so exhausted and weak that she thought she was going to lose the baby. Compared to your chubby Marcius, the baby looked thin, he was two weeks to pass his first month and you couldn't hide that you were a little worried about him. In fact, Nerissa was a noble Greek, not a slave, she had told you her story before. Maybe that's why she was kidnapped. If Macrinus cared about this girl there must be certain reason of her importance. Suddenly the baby started crying again, you checked her breast, she must be low on milk.

"Give him to me," you said, holding out your hands.

"But, my lady…”

"My breast milk is enough for both my Marcius and your baby," you said with a smile.

She returned your smile and placed her baby in your arms. Unlike your chubby Marcius, this baby had silky golden blonde hair on top of his head, just like his father. She thanked you and prayed for you as the baby suckled at your breast. Just as you were about to hand the baby back to her, Julia burst into the room.

“What do you think you're doing?”

You glared at her and handed the baby to her mother, who flinched in fright. You stood up and approached Julia, not liking the way she looked at the girl.

"You get the hell out of here right now and take the child with you!"

She sat up but you stopped her by raising your hand.

"Why would she? After all, she gave birth to a boy, it's Geta's."

"So? The child can't inherit the throne unless Geta weds her."

"I am aware. You must free the girl first, then wed them."

"She's a slave! How dare you think she's worthy of our emperor?"

'You know your son's interest in her. She's a concubina, not an ordinary slave."

"Yet she's not his wife! The Senate wouldn't accept the child as an heir since it wasn't born from legal marriage.”

“That is why I’m saying you must wed them. She’s a captive of war, forced into slavery. Her family is noble, isn't it, Nerissa?"

The girl nodded, looking at her hesitantly. "Yes, my Empress. If we were to send word to my family in Athens, I'm sure they would be able to send you an answer.”

Julia put her hands on her waist, thinking. "You dumb girl. Why didn't you tell me all this time?"

Her cheeks flushed and she bowed her head. "Because I loved Emperor Geta with all my heart. He didn't want me to tell anyone about it, not even his brother Emperor Caracalla."

"All those fights they had... It wasn't just to share your cunt huh?"

"Lady Domna!" You barked.

She approached her, ignoring your glare. "Even if I can convince the Senate, I can't convince Geta. He's really determined not to get married." She looked at you out of the corner of her eye.

"I'll talk to him." You said without looking at her. Then you turned and looked at Nerissa. "Don't concern yourself. No one can get you thrown out of this palace. I'll make sure your family is notified."

"I'll take care of that, you try to convince Geta if you can. But I wonder one thing Aurelia. What's in it for you? What's going on inside that beautiful head of yours I really wonder?’

"Don't confuse me with yourself, Lady Domna. Some favors are given without expecting anything in return.."

She laughed hysterically. "You may deceive others with your gentle and innocent face, but not me. Helping all those poor people and winning the love of the people with this way was a good move. I would never have thought of doing such a sneaky thing. Well done."

"You wouldn't understand even if I told you about it, so I won't tire myself out."

You turned your back on her, leaving the room.

As you left Geta's chambers and walked towards the great hall, you noticed Octavius and the other Praetorians standing outside. You could hear Geta's loud voice coming from inside, so you went to talk to Octavius before entering. "I spoke with Decima," you said.

He looked up at you, a bit surprised.

"I will make sure to mention it to the general, so you can feel assured."

"Thank you, my lady. I really appreciate it. But if it's all right with you, I would like to speak with him myself first."

"Of course, Octavius," you replied with a warm smile.

He walked you to the door and the guards opened it for you.

Marcus and Darius looked at you. Geta however, his back was turned, resting his hands on the table. He then turned his head when he heard your footsteps.

"Commander Darius," you said, looking at him. "Would you please give us some privacy?"

"Yes, my lady," he replied, motioning for the other guards to step outside.

Geta poured himself a glass of wine and settled into the lectus behind the long golden-colored curtain.

Marcus grabbed your arm, "Perhaps it’s best if we don’t get involved."

You reassured him by touching his hand. "I just need to speak with him."

He let out a sigh, "I’ll be right here."

You smiled at him, then turned around and walked towards Geta. As you pushed the curtain aside with your hand, you noticed that he had already finished his glass. He turned it upside down and shook it. Quickly, you picked up the decanter from the table and poured more wine into his glass.

“He looks just like you, you know,” you said.

“Oh please!”

“What's the matter with you? Aren't you happy to see her again?”

“I'll die of happiness!” he replied sarcastically. You sat next to him. “You must marry her so the child can be your legal heir.”

He looked at you sternly, a look you had never seen before. “That's not how it works in Rome!”

“I know the truth about her,” you insisted.

“You know nothing, Aurelia!” he barked, then stood up angrily.

Marcus watched the two of you from a distance, clearly feeling nervous, but he waited patiently.

"We need to let her family know about all this. If you wed her quickly-"

"She does not have a family." He interjected emphatically, taking a moment to inhale deeply. "Caracalla had all of them executed."

"What did you just say?" you wailed.

Marcus stepped towards you as soon as he heard your loud voice. Still unable to believe what you had just heard, you didn’t notice him until he touched your back.

“It was before the revolt in Egypt. Her family came to Rome; they wanted to take her because she was the sister of their princess. That was one of the reasons the Greeks supported the revolt, Acacius.”

You looked at Marcus. It might sound a bit strange, but that rebellion actually brought you to him in a really unique way. After a moment of silence, you feel more determined to convince him.

“She must have had family left behind. You need to inform them about the situation. If you marry, it could be possible to establish peace between them and Rome, right? Additionally, if you appoint your son as your legal heir, you will regain their trust and take a step towards improving relations too.”

He folded his arms, “Marrying a Greek? I don’t think the Senate would approve of that.”

‘"Well, you must convince them, right?"

“I shall undertake that responsibility!" Julia's voice echoed through the great hall, filled with joy. "You must wed her, my son."

Geta looked at both you and Julia. "You two agree on that, huh? I’ll be damned." He then turned to Marcus. “What is your perspective, Acacius?”

"I am not a politician, Emperor Geta. However, it is undeniably advantageous for us that the Greeks refrain from participating in any future rebellions against Rome. So I agree with my wife, Lady Aurelia.”

You respected him; despite his modest denial of being a politician, he displayed considerable wisdom.

"I think I owe her that much," Geta murmured.

"We must start preparing for the wedding right away," Julia said with a smile. "But first, I need to invite the wives of the senators and discuss everything with them. They might be upset with me about this." Suddenly, her expression changed as she looked at you. "Aurelia, perhaps they'll be more easily persuaded if you join me. They respect you."

"Being in the same room with those women again? Not for me, Lady Domna," you replied. Julia was about to protest, but Marcus's stern gaze seemed to silence her.

"Then we ask for your permission to take our leave," Marcus said.

Geta nodded. "You may leave."

Marcus extended his arm, and you accepted it as you both departed from the hall. As you made your way out of the courtyard toward his horse, Marcus leaned in, whispering; “Aurelia, what is your intention?”

You met his gaze and lightly touched his face. “I am seeking to protect our son.”

He looked confused as he tried to understand your meaning. You took his hand. “Let us return home to continue our discussion; I miss our son deeply.”

He responded with a smile, gently kissing your hand. “So do I.”

“What you mentioned earlier...” Marcus said as he poured wine into his goblet. “I am curious about what you meant by protecting our son.” Marcius, seemed full, releasing your breast. He made the most beautiful sounds that filled the room with warmth and then drifted off to sleep peacefully.

“I meant to prevent him from being seen as the heir to the throne.” You stood up and gently put Marcius on the small mattress next to your bed. He seemed to fall into a peaceful sleep; at least, you hoped so. Marcus handed you one of the glasses and then moved over to watch him sleep. You took a sip from the glass and began to remove the fancy hairpins from your hair.

"You're afraid he might become emperor..." he said, covering him with the small blanket. "More than anything," you replied as you placed the hairpins into the box. "The weight of such responsibility is immense, Marcus. There will always be those who seek the throne and those who would want to harm him and manipulate him. How can I live with this fear? How can we live?" When you turned your head to look at him, you found him gazing back at you. He stood up and stepped toward you.

"I will be so relieved if Geta gets married as soon as possible," you said, yawning involuntarily. It had been a long and tiring day, first because of Hanno and then Geta.

Marcus's big hand reached behind you, grabbing your hair and sweeping it over your shoulder, leaving your neck exposed. Your tiredness instantly faded, replaced by something else entirely.

"I can't disagree with that." You swallowed as his warm breath licked your neck. And you gasped as his lips found your jugular. You closed your eyes, surrendering yourself to the sanctity of his touch. He wrapped his arms around you, under your arms, and pressed himself against you. One hand slid down, under the fabric of your tunic, touching your folds. You moaned quietly as he stroked your clit with his thick fingers. "Are you ready to be mine, princess?" His tone was so seductive that you would be damned if you did refuse him.

"I am-mmph..."

Your delighted moan was muffled as he mashed his mouth against yours, aggressive and lustful. You shuddered and wrapped your arms around his neck without missing a beat, mewling submissively even as his hands left your clit and moved to your hips instead, grabbing them firmly and sending jolts of excitement up your stomach. He then lifted you up making you laugh unashamedly as his hands squeezing your butt-cheeks beneath fabric even as your lips stayed connected. His tongue prodded your lips and you parted them instantly, letting out a horny whine as it invaded your mouth and dominated yours with embarrassing ease. As if to comply with that he held your ass more firmly, that being the only warning you got before he roughly laid you down on the bed. The little one's cooing made you break the kiss. But when you looked at him he seemed happy in his sleep. You whispered to him as Marcus' impatient fingers quickly grasped the hem of your tunic. “I love this tunic of mine, so please be gentle.”

“With your tunic maybe, but not with you.” He said grinning, sending a shiver of pleasure down your spine. He leaned down, his lips grazed down your collarbone, breath hot against it, and a moan rolled off of your tongue as he kissed the top of your breast and then sucked upon it harshly. You found yourself afraid that might be hurt but it didn’t.

The thought was purged from your mind though as he swiftly snatching your other nipple up in his mouth. You gasped, your hand ending up in his curly hair and tugging it; utterly melting as you felt his tongue swirl around repeatedly before he gave it a wet-sounding suck, tugging it out until your nipple sprung from his lips and left your breast jiggling a little. His face placed between your breasts a mere second later, growling lustfully as he rubs them and tickled you with his hot breaths. He didn't stay there for long. Planting another few quick kisses upon your flesh then with a rush of eagerness, he undressed himself, his movements fast, impatient. Simply making you aroused more.

Just like he said before, he wasn't gentle when he grabbed you by the hips and pulled you towards him. He had just placed your legs over his shoulders when a soft cooing stopped him. You both looked at each other, remembering that there were three of you in the room now.

“How about we skip this part for now?”

Marcus smiled and kissed your knee. “I'll make it up to you, I promise.”

He leaned down and kissed you; it was passionate, tender, eager, and even a little rushed.

But then, however, there was his erection resting against your stomach, precum dripping onto your flesh. You ran one hand through the precum and along the length. He gasped at the touch, pulling away from the kiss. You met his eyes as you brought him to your entrance. He grinned, baring his teeth.

“Eager I see,” he said in a heated whisper.

With a playful grin, you pressed your finger to his lips and whispered, "Acta non verba, my love.”

Then, with a seductive lean back and spreading your legs, invited him in. He had his need pushed against your clit, along the sensitive skin, through your wetness. You cooed, writhing for him to feel inside you. He gave you one more kiss before shifting slightly to grab the backs of your knees and spread your legs wider than you had them. He pulled out a few inches and pushes back in, easing you into his thrusts before he starts picking up and every time he thrust into you, stretching you, made you crave more and more. Sweat dripping down your brow as he thrust deeper, lifting you by your knees and bending your legs towards your torso. In this position where you couldn’t move very much, he took control, finding sweetest spot with his aching need. You couldn’t stop moaning and mewling, crying out his name as he goes faster.

When your moans became louder, his big hand covered your mouth, silencing you. "Sssh, you'll wake him up, love," he whispered, finding your ear through your hair. "And I don't want our fun to end just yet." You nodded and continued to moan into his palm. He kept covering your mouth with his hand as he carried on thrusting, each one deeper than the last. He was sweating from his brow and the sweat was dripping onto your chest. He wiped the sweat with the back of his hand and pushed his hair back, but it was no avail; it swayed downwards as he leaned down to give you a messy kiss.Then you two drew back, inhaled a breath, and reconnected. Eventually he removed his hand from your mouth, he just wanted to bring you both to the climax, he didn't care about anything else at this point. Effortlessly, he threw your legs over his shoulders and leans forward, bracing his hands on either side of your shoulders and taking you just right. He then reached around to get his fingers on your clit, rubbing relentlessly.

“Marcus” you cried, “Marcus please—”

You can barely heard him over the wet-sound of slamming against your body. “That’s right, my love. Say my name. Come for me.”

All the stimulation gets to you and you obey. You gush on his length to the point where he has to pull out and watch as you make a complete mess of the bed. The rest of your body trembling, hips thrusting on their own, and fingers clawing at sheets. You scream at this point and he has to cover your mouth again, but this time not with his hand, but with his mouth. You moan and whimper into his mouth, hoping that you have not woken the little one up.

"Look at that," he groaned, rubbing your throbbing cunt and you clenched. "Well done, my princess. You’re a good girl.”

Desperate for his need and his orgasm, you pressed your heels against his back. "Inside. Inside me, Marcus, please."

Saying your name, he suddenly plunged back in. You responded with another scream, arching your back and taking every hard thrust. His breath faltered and his moans grew louder. And... You'd just had a second orgasm, but if he kept it up, you'd have a third.

“Wish me to fill this beautiful cunt of yours up…hmm?”

“Yes,” you said between his thrusts, “Yes, my love, fill me in, Gods!”

“I will gladly grant your wish…” He snarled.

Marcus' at his loudest when he came inside you, giving you everything you want and more. As he pushed himself into you, you come again. This time there is no concern or intention to be careful not to make a loud noise. You tightened around him with every thrust, moaning with him and accepting the messy kiss he giving you. It was hard to kiss back when your breath is stolen, when every emotion hits all your nerves and you can’t think straight. He didn’t move once he gives you his last drop. A moment passes where the two of you simply catch your breath. And eventually, as a result of all this noise, the final expected happened and little Marcius began to cry.

You both looked at him, panting, and then back at each other, grinning triumphantly and mischiveously. When you feel the soreness hit, you wiggled your legs and Marcus got the hint. He carefully placed your legs back on the bed. You whimpered as he pulled out, and you could feel the mix of fluid drip out of your cunt. When Marcius started crying louder, you tried to sat up, but your most sensitive parts were throbbing a bit and your legs felt numb.

“Marcus, will you give him to me? I can’t feel my legs.”

He kissed your cheek. “Forgive me. Couldn’t help myself.”

You smiled. “Couldn’t help myself, either.”

He gave you a kiss before getting out of bed and you leaned against the headboard while you watched him tenderly take Marcius in his arms and kiss his head, caressing his little nose with his own. It was something you never got tired of watching, it was so sacred, so beautiful. Before Marcus placed him in your arms, he put a pillow behind your back and kissed the top of your head as you smiled up at him. He was rough when he made love to you, but he always blew your mind with his incredible gentleness and tenderness afterwards.

After having breakfast together in the room, you and Marcus visited the stables. You had become quite skilled at grooming lately, and it was incredibly peaceful. However, there was another reason for your visit. While you were absent-mindedly combing Unio's mane, thinking about what Hanno had said. You were having second thoughts about going to the place he mentioned. Would he have to escape again to get there? How had he ended up in Rome? How did he become a gladiator? You were startled by Marcus' touch on your waist. Unio let out a neigh as you accidentally tugged on her mane. To soothe her, you gently touched her nose and gave her a kiss.

"I see you really enjoy that, my lady," Marcus said with a warm smile.

You returned his smile. "I do. It has such a calming effect." You tapped the brush to remove the hair from its bristles.

Marcus let out a light sigh. "Well, I must admit that what I'm about to ask you to do might not be as calming." You raised your eyebrows in curiosity and narrowed your eyes when you spotted the wooden sword in his hand. "But this... it's made of wood..."

"I wouldn't hand you a sharp sword for your first lesson," he said firmly.

You placed the brush in the basket and picked up the sword, clutched it with both hands, examining. It was heavier than it looked. "It feels a bit like a toy," you murmured.

He touched yours with his wooden sword. "Rule number one: Whatever weapon you wield, you must forge an unbreakable bond with it; treat it as part of your arm.”

Your caring husband, Marcus, had quickly transformed into your stern General, Acacius.

"Yes, General," you muttered.

He smirked. "If you master this, you can begin using a real steel sword.” he encouraged you. "Remember, finding balance is essential in your early lessons."

"Balance?"

He nodded. "It's like dancing—using the right steps. Come with me; I'll show you what I mean." He took your hand and led you out of the stables, where he had taught you how to use a knife.

"Aren't you supposed to be on duty today?" you asked.

"I am, but I have time before I take my leave. Come."

When you reached the wide open space, Marcus took the wooden sword from your hand and stood in front of you.

"First, you must improve your agility. Catch it, princess!"

He tossed one of the swords towards you, but you weren't able to catch it, so it fell to the ground. “Whoa!” You bent down to pick it up. “Why did you... "It's not as if I'm planning to attack my enemy by throwing it."

He narrowed his eyes. “I see you’re feeling confident. Alright, what are you going to do with it? How will you use it? Tell me.”

"I should just stick the pointy end into my enemy, right?"

He grinned smugly. “Do you really think it’s that simple, my lady?”

You shrugged. “It shouldn’t be too difficult.”

He opened his arms. “Very well then, strike me.”

With both hands, you gripped the sword tightly. Suddenly, you realized it wasn't as easy as you had thought, but you were determined not to embarrass yourself in front of him. Marcus struggled to hold back his laughter at the expression on your face. Ignoring him, you raised the sword and lunged toward him. As you initiated your attack, he effortlessly pushed your sword away with a flick of his hand, barely moving his arm. You staggered backward, nearly dropping the sword.

"It’s not as easy as it seems, is it? That’s why I’m telling you to focus on your balance first. In time, you’ll understand what I mean, and when I throw it to you, it will be much easier to catch. Now, think of it as a real sword and show me how you hold it. Try again." This seemed simple, but it quickly became clear from the look on his face that I was doing something wrong. “Now you are standing wrong. Turn your body side-face, yes.”

He came over and put one hand on your waist and the other under your chin. "Just, so, yes." Then he looked at your feet. "Spread your legs."

"I can do that," you said, grinning widely, thinking about things you did in your bedroom, like how he spreads your legs in there.

Be ready to be mine...

He kissed your cheeks, where they had blushed, and your naughty thoughts were replaced by a desire.

"Focus, princess."

"Apologies. I was thinking about something..." You batted your eyelashes.

He brought his face closer to yours. "Are you trying to get away from your training by seducing me, hm?"

"Maybe I am." You giggled.

"Well, you succeeded."

He leaned in and kissed you on the lips.You let go of the sword and put your arms around his neck, and the moment you touched his hair, the inevitable thing happened again – he lost it!  He wrapped his arms around your waist, deepening the kiss. You let his tongue enter your mouth, and everything else in the place and the reason you were there flew away, there was only him and your warm breath through your nostrils, caressing each other's cheeks. Your hearts were beating rapidly with excitement. When you heard footsteps approaching, your lips suddenly stopped moving, breaking the kiss. Pulling himself back with some difficulty, he smiled at you, licked his lips, then turned his head in that direction.But you didn't, instead, you ran your eyes over his side view, admiring his gorgeous face.

"General!"It was Cato's voice.You pulled your hands away, but Marcus' hands were still around your waist.

"Cato, is something wrong?”

"I've been informed the Council is meeting today, sir. And Emperor Geta said he'd like to see you there during the session." Then he looked at you. "You too, my lady."

You frowned.

"Thank you Cato, get the carriage ready then."

"There's no need," you said firmly. "I’d better not attend."

Marcus lifted his eyebrows. "Do you have other plans, my lady?"

You looked away. "It’s an official council meeting. I don’t think there’s any need to disturb the Senate members with the presence of a woman. Besides, I planned to visit my cousin Paulina today."

For some reason, your tone sounded so convincing that it even surprised you.

"Is that so? You didn't mention that," Marcus said.

"I was going to..." you lied, feeling a wave of self-hatred wash over you.

Marcus's eyes weren't skeptical as they roamed over your face. "Well, I think it's better that you're there than at the council."

"I agree. Come, let me help you dress appropriately," you replied, grabbing his arm. He smiled, allowing you to pull him inside.

After Marcus left the villa with Cato, you made your decision to meet Hanno. You nursed Marcius and handed him over to Norell, then went up to your chambers to get dressed. It was almost noon by this time. Everyone in the villa believed you were going to visit your cousin, including Decima, who accompanied you in the carriage. However, when the carriage was halfway to its destination, you ordered the driver to take you through the streets of Rome instead. You put on your cloak, ignoring Decima, who looked at you in astonishment.

“I thought we were going to your aunt Antonia’s house?” 

“No, we’re not.” 

She opened her eyes wide. “Are we going to stalk the general again?” 

You glared at her. “No, of course not.” 

“Then where are we going?” 

You tied the laces of your cloak and replied, “Decima, trust me and don’t ask questions. I promise I’ll tell you everything later. Stop the carriage!” 

The coachman obeyed your command and halted the carriage on the east side of the Colosseum. The gladiator school was on its left, and the popina was at the corner of the street. 

“There are no houses or shops here,” she muttered. 

“I know,” you said, pulling the hood over your face and stepping out of the carriage. Decima stood up as well, but you stopped her. 

“I’ll go alone.” 

“But Aurelia—” 

“Don’t worry, I’ll be safe. I won’t be long, and Decima, this is between us, alright?”

She nodded. “Fine, but please be careful.”

“I will be,” you replied with a smile and began walking into the crowd. You weren’t wearing much jewelry; the last thing you wanted was for someone to realize you were their princess.

The street was less crowded than you had expected. Many people were discussing today’s council meeting and moving at a brisk pace toward the Roman Forum. Perhaps most people had gathered there, which would work to your advantage. When a group of passersby glanced your way, you quickly turned your head.

“Did you hear that General Acacius is attending too?” one person said.

“Yes, I wonder if the princess will be there,” another replied.

“We’re going there to see her anyway,” one continued.

“I think she will definitely attend,” another added.

“I’ll finally get to see her up close,” someone else said.

You smiled to yourself. “I’m sorry,” you mumbled quietly.

After passing through a few more people, you looked around. You were now passing the gladiator school, and you shuddered as you remembered how you had last been imprisoned there. Then you thought of Hanno—how did he end up here? It was just one of a thousand questions you wanted to ask him. You quickened your pace, and when you saw the popina’s signboard, your heart began to race with anxiety.

The harmonious music, accompanied by the sounds of laughter and conversation from within, extended into the street, fostering an inviting atmosphere but not for everyone, apparently.

Please don't let anyone recognize me. Please don't let anyone recognize me.

You pushed open the double-leaf door. The people standing nearby turned their heads to see who was coming in, but they couldn't see your face and soon returned to their chat. One person glanced at you with curiosity but quickly looked away. Suddenly, the music stopped, and you froze, but it had nothing to do with your entrance—it was just a coincidence.

Soon, the music began again. You took a deep breath of relief and moved forward, scanning the tables one by one. You noticed a man in a black cloak sitting alone in the corner. You moved there and tilted your head to see his face, but first, you glanced around to ensure no one else was sitting alone. It must have been him. You leaned toward him and whispered, “Hanno?"

You were so startled when the man looked up at you that you jumped back. A bulky man with numerous scars on his face scrutinized you and then raised his eyebrows with a low curse. “Am I high already?” he asked himself.

“Oh, forgive me. I thought you were someone else,” you stammered.

He grinned widely, showing all his teeth. “I’ll be whoever you want me to be, beautiful.”

Just as you were about to turn away, his large hand grabbed your wrist. “Come on, sit down and have a drink with me—just one drink.” He pulled you toward the chair.

Was he drunk? At this time of day?

You struggled to free your arm, but you couldn’t even budge it. “Let go of my arm!”

“Come now, don’t be stubborn. A beauty like you doesn’t come along every day.”

“Look, I’m a married woman, and you wouldn’t even want to know who my husband is.”

He frowned.

“Let her go!”

You turned your head in the direction of the familiar voice. Hanno had pushed the man's arm away. “Damn it, Aldhard, didn’t I tell you not to drink after the opium?”

You crossed your arms. “So you two know each other?”

Hanno rolled his eyes. “Don’t ask.”

The man stood up and looked at both of you. “You little shit. You never told me you had such a beautiful friend. So that’s why you’re always running away, huh?”

“Go back and get some rest. You can’t go out in the arena tomorrow like this.”

The man huffed as he turned to walk away. “That’s why I’m drinking, you bastard.” He left, muttering curses in his native language that you had never heard before.

Hanno turned to you. “Forgive me for being late. But it’s hard to get out of there.”

You sat down in a chair and exhaled deeply. “Hanno, it’s strange to see you here after all this time. Especially as a gladiator.”

He settled into the chair where his friend had just been sitting. “It’s quite the story,” he said, raising his arm to catch the keeper’s attention. “I’m surprised you came, you know.”

“It wasn’t easy,” you replied.

“I guess you came secretly from your husband.” He smiled crookedly.

“I came secretly from everyone. You know why.”

"Yes, I was quite surprised to hear that. I can't believe you're a princess. I always knew you were special, but..."

A little later, a young man brought you a jug of wine and two glasses, along with a platter of chicken for two.

"The chicken here is really good. Come on, eat,” he said, spooning some onto his plate, opening his mouth wide, and starting to eat with appetite.

You reminisced about the meals you had shared together in the tavern back in Egypt.

“Forget about me and tell me about yourself,” you said as you dipped your spoon into the food. “How did you get to Rome? How did you become a gladiator, and where have you been all this time?” You brought the spoon to your mouth, not because you were hungry, but because the smell was enticing, and you wanted to taste it.

He didn’t look at you and continued to eat. “I was brought here by your husband.”

You nearly choked on your morsel, coughed, and sipped your wine. “What did you say?”

“As a prisoner of war.”

“Or did you fight alongside the Persian army against Rome?” Your voice was louder than you intended, causing nearby people to turn their heads. Hanno glared at them, and they quickly looked away.

“Hanno, what happened? Tell me everything.”

His blue eyes clouded, and his expression hardened. “Alright. That night…” He took a deep breath. “I mean, the night the rebels raided the Roman military camp. By the time I got there, they had taken all the Medici from the Valetudinarium.”

“Oh, right. Where were you that night?”

“I heard one of my friends was injured during the revolt, so I decided to go help him. When I entered the room to tell him I was leaving, Vicius mentioned that you were asleep. That turned out to be the last time I saw both you and him." He took a sip of his drink, looking gloomy. "The next day, Vicius' body was brought to the Valetudinarium along with the other Medicii. I personally took care of his funeral, all of his friends were deeply saddened. However, what was even more haunting was what they said. They claimed they saw you among the prisoners. They had killed him, and not only that, but they had also taken you as a prisoner. I was so angry that I ran to the harbor, but I couldn't catch up. The Roman ships had already sailed out to sea, just about to disappear over the horizon."

Your eyes filled with tears as you recalled that night.

"I apologize for not coming here sooner. My mother was sick, and I was occupied with her treatment, but I couldn’t save her. There were also many other patients to care for. Vicious was a skilled medicus; he was irreplaceable."

“Hanno, I'm sorry.”

“Aya, or Aurelia,” he said with a sad grin. “Why did you marry him? How did it happen?”

“Hanno, look…”

He interrupted, “After what happened to Vicius, all I could think about was coming here, finding you, and running away with you. I was certain you would be sold into slavery, and I couldn't sleep at night knowing you might be living a terrible life.”

“I wasn’t, actually. I love him, Hanno. He’s my life now. "We were planning to come here with Vicius, and now you know the specific reason why.”

“So, it turns out you and Vicius had a secret, huh?” He laughed. “All that time you were hiding in the Valetudinarium, trying hard to pass as a man, never going out in public, and his overprotectiveness toward you… I mean, it was obvious there was a reason, but I never expected you to be a Roman princess. I don't know what to say.”

“I found out when I came here, but how did you know I was married to the general?”

“Last week, I saw the two of you at the temple. People are always talking about you two. That day, they made us put on a little fighting demonstration at the Roman Forum. Honestly, I had a hard time recognizing you at first; you looked quite different from before.”

“I’m still the same person.”

“I doubt that.”

“What do you mean?”

“You're different; you've changed. Maybe your experiences have altered you, just like they have for me.”

“Why did you fight with the Roman army? You're not a soldier.”

“They needed a medicus and promised high payment. And you think I can't fight or something? Have you forgotten how many times I saved you from those filthy rats? They kept saying you were a scrawny young man and forced you to fight with them. Don’t you remember how I beat them up, girl?”

You laughed. “Yes, I remember.”

“Fighting against Roman soldiers seemed tempting to me. They said the rebels had joined forces with a small army in Syria organized by a Roman consul.”

“Macrinus?”

“No idea. I've never met him.”

“You can't. He's dead.”

“I bet your husband killed him, great Roman general.” He said mockingly.

You frowned and said, “Please don't talk about him like that. He's the bravest, most honorable man I know, and he's not as bad as you think. He’s also kind and understanding.”

“How touching. He wasn’t so innocent when he slaughtered hundreds on the battlefield, you know. He was like a beast.”

“It’s called war. What did you expect him to do? That’s what you did too—you fought and killed people, didn’t you? Besides, Vicius was killed by one of his soldiers, and he avenged him by killing that soldier in return.”

“But he took you prisoner—made you a slave.”

“He didn’t know who I was.”

Suddenly, he was distracted by the loud laughter of the women at the next table. You both turned your heads to look in that direction. Hanno reached towards you and pulled your hood more in front of your face.

“Don’t stare at them; we’ll get in trouble if they recognize you. And the ones sitting right behind us? They’re Spaniards. Believe me, they hate the Romans as much as I do. So whatever you do, don’t attract their attention.”

You didn't even want to ask why, but it was clear that the men and women were romantically involved, and the Spaniards seemed to be quite fierce characters. Suddenly, you realized that coming here might not have been such a good idea.

“Hanno, who bought you? If I talk to your master, maybe I can persuade him to set you free.”

He laughed. “I’m not a Roman, but I know that’s not how it works here. Tomorrow, I must fight in the Colosseum and win. That will bring me one step closer to my freedom.”

Your chest suddenly tightened. “But the Colosseum is too dangerous.”

“Are you worried about me?” he grinned. “Don’t be. I can take care of myself.”

“I’ll talk to my brother. I don’t know; there must be a way.”

He laughed hysterically. “Your brother? You mean the emperor? It’s not like he’s going to care about me. I don’t suppose you’ve heard the rumors about him.”

“He’s changed. He’s an emperor who cares about his people now.”

“Is he now?”

“Tell me his name. Who bought you?”

“Aya,” he growled.

“Tell me.”

“What will your husband say if you buy me?”

That was the real question. You sighed nervously.

“That’s what I thought.”

He raised his glass to his lips and drank it all.

Then he looked back over your shoulder. “Shit.”

“What the—”

“When I say so, we’ll run outside together, alright?”

“What? Why?”

“They realized I escaped. Again.”

"But why am I running? You're the one they're looking for." 

"It's him! Stop right there!" 

You stood up and looked over. It was the same guys from last time; they knew who you were. You tensed and took a step back, but suddenly you realized someone was touching you on your hips. In a fit of rage, you turned around and hurled his drink in his face.

"Do you think I'm a whore, you filthy bastard?" 

As the man angrily wiped the wine from his face, you immediately regretted what you had done. When he stood up, the others did too. “Jódete, maldita perra (Fuck you, stupid whore)!”

“Watch your mouth, cabrón!” Hano yelled.

Your eyes and mouth widened when the men drew their swords, and you instinctively hid behind Hanno.

"I suppose you have a reason to run now," Hanno whispered to you.

One of the men who had come to take Hanno held up a hand to stop them.

"Return to your table now," he ordered.

“Do not tell me what to do, maricón!”

“What did you say?” He drew his sword.

“He said arsehole to you,” Hanno translated with a grin.

“Damn Spinards, I shall cut your tongue!”

Hanno seized the opportunity amidst the chaos and pushed him onto the other man, causing both of them to collapse to the floor. The impact knocked over a table, spilling drinks and food everywhere and creating quite a mess. Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted dramatically, and everyone began to fight with one another. Hanno grabbed your arm and shouted, “Time to run!" He pulled you along as you both fled the scene.

When you got out into the street, you kept running faster, because the other men kept running after you.

“So you can speak spanish!” you shouted as you ran alongside him, your eyes scanning for the carriage.

“Only swear words!” he replied.

“Ugh! I hate you!”

“I’m not the one who spilled his drink all over his face!”

“You're the one swearing at them!”

The guys chasing after you were shouting something in spanish, and it was not hard to guess what they were saying.

“Aren’t you a gladiator? Can’t you fight them off?”

He laughed nervously. “I don’t think you realize how many there are.”

You looked back, and your eyes widened when you saw at least ten people.

“Where the hell did they come from?”

“I warned you about Spaniards! They are overprotective!”

“The carriage is just over there!” You said, pointing east of the Colosseum. “If we can get there-“

“No, not the carriage! They'll catch us before we get on!”

“What are we going to do?”

“I know a safe place; if I hide you there, I can escape them myself.”

When you looked back, they were still running insistently. Desperately, you searched for the carriage, realizing you had no choice but to follow Hanno. Fortunately, you soon reached the place he had mentioned. It was the barn of a house.

“The owner is old and deaf; he doesn’t come to the barn much,” Hanno said as he removed hay bales one by one to create a hiding spot for you. “Come, you’ll be safe here.”

“But for how long? What will you do?”

“I'm going to make them follow me down the road and I'm going to grab a sword from one of them and fight them. After I get them away from here, you run to your carriage, alright?”

You nodded. “Be careful.”

He smiled and looked back as the voices drew closer. "Hide well," he said before leaving the barn. You could hear his footsteps followed by those of his pursuers. You waited patiently until all the sounds faded away. Soon, the only noise was the gentle bleating of the lambs.

Standing up, you began to push the hay bales aside one by one. The smell was almost unbearable; if you were pregnant like before, you would have been violently sick. You brushed the straw out of your hair with your hands. Your legs ached from running, but you knew you had to reach the carriage no matter what.

You slowly stepped into the courtyard of the house, observing your surroundings. Fortunately, no one was in sight, except for the chickens, which, frightened by your presence, scattered away. The street was quiet, with just a few people who looked at you with curiosity, but you were too exhausted to care. After walking a bit further, you realized that you were very close to the street where the carriage was located, so you picked up your pace and walked there with relief.

Decima asked you questions along the way that you struggled to answer, and you responded as simply as possible. However, your real fear was what you would face when you got home—your clothes and everything else were a complete mess. You needed to get home before Marcus arrived. You couldn't help but worry about Hanno. Would he be able to fight those guys off? Would he be able to save himself? You had known him well since childhood, and you shared many memories together that were impossible to forget. No one could have predicted that things would turn out this way; it felt like a cruel twist of fate.

When you arrived at the villa, it was already evening. You and Decima got out of the carriage and walked into the courtyard. As soon as you stepped inside, you froze. Marcus was standing in the center, still wearing his formal white toga. He struggled to drape the shawl over his shoulder, as he didn't often wear this type of toga. However, the stern and confused expression on his face wasn't due to this difficulty; it was because he saw you with your clothes in disarray.

"Leave us alone," he said sharply, his gaze fixed on you. There was no one else around; he had directed that command at Decima. You bit your lip as she left the courtyard, leaving the two of you alone. He stepped towards you, inspecting you from head to toe so quietly that you wondered if he was trying to suppress his anger. Finally, he exhaled a deep, ragged breath, his dark brown eyes boring into yours.

"Where have you been?" he asked in a deep, almost growling voice. "I need an explanation right now."

@orcasoul @pedroslut4eva @immyowndefender @lailathepedritofan @screechingchildfury @shinymusicpanda @somedayheaven @ivoryandflame @negrita2345 @music-lover09 @javiismyhsbnd @idontcareihavenoidea @jisungandpedrolover @mmkkzz @ro-nahime-things @indiegirlunited @kluvspedro @movievillainess721 @berriesarepunk @bonadeamo @heramj @blushingwueen @smoochispoof @littlemisspascal @kirashess @okaaaadereeee @this--is--music @mmkkzz @ro-nahime-things @indiegirlunited @kluvspedro @movievillainess721 @berriesarepunk @bonadeamo @heramj @blushingwueen @smoochispoof @littlemisspascal @kirashess @melsunshine @meetmeatyourworst @footballfangirl94 @daejangandimja @ariesandwolves @hooomansstuff @vlonerv @chewie-bars @dendulinka6 @lucienofthelakes @superqueenearthquake

your likes, comments and reblogs are soo important to me, and thank you for all support, love you all❤️

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[theboombutton]

Spoilers Ahead

OK let's talk about the lore implications of The Magnus Protocol episode 4's statement.

Timeframe

The Mannheim School was founded in 1741-1742; and the Royal Court of the Palatinate left Mannheim in 1778. This gives us a roughly 35-year timeframe within which which our violinist could have made his initial carriage journey to Germany - barring timeline differences.

This absolutely destroys my theory that the Fears arrived here from the TMA universe, found a universe without Fear, and broke through in East Germany during the Cold War. This episode firmly establishes that there were Fears in the Protocolverse in the late 18th century, and that they were well-established at the time - established enough to have a guy giving out cursed artifacts in the woods of Baden.

Were they the Archiverse Fears, that just happened to arrive earlier than I thought? Were they Protocolverse Fears? Were they Fears from yet another universe, escaped from their own Fearpocalypse?

The Fears

So this is a really fascinating statement because it seems to marry our old friend TMA Slaughter Classic, with whatever the fuck Ink5oul was doing in TMAGP episode 2, with just a mention of the Archivist-associated power to elicit an unintended confession.

The Slaughter connection I'm sure I won't have to argue - it's straight out of TMA. In fact, it's so straight-out-of-TMA that to me it suggests that this is almost certainly the Archiverse's The Slaughter. If we were dealing with an artifact of a different universe's Fear of violence, I wouldn't expect it to be so connected to music. There's nothing about music that inherently connects it to horrific violence, and yet Bardwell jumps out of a carriage and dashes his skull on the rocks because of what seems an awful lot like the Piper's Song. Violin Audrey Two goes full Grifter's Bone when it's unable to get blood.

The interesting part though is that these incidents are the exception to the rule of the violin's favor. At first it seems happy to make small, flesh wound mutilations of its player, which doesn't sound like the Slaughter at all. Yes, he moves on to serial killing, but it's a very methodical, planned kind of violence - not at all what I'd expect from the Archiverse Slaughter. And the theme of an artist mutilating themselves in service of their art seems very similar to Daria in Protocol episode 2.

Of course, the art connection might just be a coincidence. There is a disproportionate amount of art about art and artists, just because it's high on the list of things artists tend to think about. It's the same reason there's not a whole lot of art about septic tank maintenance*.

I doubt it, though.

Here's my working theory: I think there are at least two universes' Fears at work here, and there wasn't enough room in the Fear-Space for two full sets of entities to represent and feed on essentially the same fears. So they got smooshed together.

The Archiverse Slaughter got smooshed with a close equivalent - a fear that included Archiverse-style violence, yes, but also included a significant element of self-harm, and was culturally wrapped up with artistic performance in the same way that the Archiverse Slaughter was wrapped up with the sound, but not always the performance, of music. The Smooshed Slaughter teeters between its aspects, showing one face or the other depending upon the situation.

OK but what was with the Archivist powers?

idk tbh. I can think of two theories, neither of which I find particularly compelling:

The guy in the woods wasn't actually an avatar. Instead, he was a Salesa type, a distributor of supernatural trinkets. He had some kind of artifact of the Eye on him that gave him archivist compulsion powers.

All of the Archiverse Entities were changed by their time under the rule of the Eye, so being strongly-enough touched by an Archiverse Fear gives you mild Eye Powers for free.

Augustus

Yes I know everyone thinks this is Jonah, and I admit there is a good chance it is Jonah. But I don't like it, and I hold out hope that it isn't.

Personally, I like the idea that the Fears were specifically attached to the voices that told the stories in TMA, in which case Jonah wouldn't have been dragged along; but, if it was based purely on the physical presence of the people in the top room of the Panopticon, then yes, Jonah could have been brought along. To our knowledge nobody ever went after Jonah's body down in the labyrinth, so his eyes would presumably have been left alive in Elias's head for like, the whole episode.

I still hold out hope that Augustus is an Archivist-equivalent from another universe that also went Fearpocalypse and also released its Fears to the multiverse. While I'm pretty certain we're dealing with two sets of Fears here, possibly combined into one set of Smooshed Fears, I'm not at all certain that the non-Archiverse Fears are originally from the Protocolverse.

Conclusion

It's 3 AM and I have to go to bed. I think I've properly scheduled this to post an hour after the episode drops; if I'm wrong about the episode timing and accidentally spoil someone, I'm very sorry.

---

* yes I know there's septic tank dive fetish photos, I said "not a whole lot" not "none whatsoever."

[sgiandubh]

Would you know anything about the bedbugs infestation in Paris ? Is it as bad as the media says it is ?

Thank you 😊

Dear (returning?) Paris Anon,

At least I suppose it's you. 'Bedbug Anon' was a bit cheeky, to be honest.

Well, yes. I do know a thing or two about it. I even just re-watched a very popular and well-informed French talk show (C dans l'air) which spoke at length about it on October 2 (suit yourself, if you understand French: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKUizY5ek5A) - this explains my belated answer. It was, as usually, a most entertaining and insightful inquiry on what is now not only the latest wave of collective hysteria, but also a very serious political French affair (everything is political, in France).

For a more entertaining, yet alarming Anglo-Saxon POV, check The Cut's cheeky correspondence from Paris Fashion Week (https://www.thecut.com/2023/10/snug-as-a-bedbug-in-a-high-fashion-rug.html). I couldn't help but wonder if C dutifully left her suitcase outside or put her white Panda shirt in the freezer, just to be on the safe side, like all the American fashionistas recommended (see article above).

With French topics, I have a infallible rule of thumb: if it made it to the media, then it's bad enough and you should multiply the effect at least by 2, just to have an idea. It is a dire straits moment for France, when they are expecting to be submerged by hundreds of thousands of tourists, lured in by the Olympics: national pride is at stake. So this is why they invited an entomologist and two medical school professors at that talk-show: to explain the traumatized masses even Cleopatra had bed bugs (I kid you not and only in France) and that it has nothing to do with the lack of hygiene. Mysteriously, no other rationale was brought forth, but I would guess it has to do with the inflation of wallpaper that plagues all the bourgeois French apartments (those spaces perfectly fit to entertain people, but inept for comfortable living). Bed bugs just love wallpaper and upholstery, for some mystifying reason.

Since you asked at your own risk, I am afraid you have to put up with my logorrhea and allow me to shortly explain you something about French attitude to hygiene. Some people (Americans, especially) are horrified by what sometimes is a nonchalant approach to it, but I don't really mind and I don't find French people repugnant at all (God forbid!). But it is true that instead of 'cleanliness is next to godliness', French kids heard for centuries things like ' l'eau pique' (water stings). Jamie and Claire's Paris was not its lionized book and series avatar: it was a pigsty, where people routinely threw their chamber pots either in the Seine river or just haphazardly in the open street sewage running under their windows. So much so, that this is why the Sun King chose to flee from (bed bug) infested Louvre Palace and chose to repair and expand his father's old hunting lodge at Versailles, with the result we all know.

Not that Versailles was any better, hygiene-wise: Gabaldon's descriptions are correct, but they do not measure up with the brutal and hilarious honesty of the Princess Palatine. A rotund, plain but witty woman, Liselotte von der Pfalz (the sister-in law of the Sun King, no less) wrote (in French) absolutely wonderful letters to her German relatives. And I do remember howling when I happened to stumble upon things like : 'oh, in Versailles, just about everyone shits just about everywhere, without a single care in the world' (I am quoting from memory, but the idea is very accurate).

Along came two (contemporary) men. Louis Pasteur whose germ (Jamie's wee beasties) theory of diseases radically changed the public health game in France, aside from discovering the cure for rage. And the Baron Haussmann, who razed all the (bed bug) infested Medieval Paris neighborhoods, plus re-introduced underground sewage (tout à l'égoût) to France. And built many of the supremely elegant avenues and boulevards that are the real pride, joy and soul of that strange, annoying and beautiful city I deeply love and know like the back of my hand.

So you see, Anon, the pain, the shame and the struggle are real.

I hope I didn't make you dizzy. Don't forget to tell us if you liked Paris and don't be a stranger.

[primeprofitmedia]

Corinna Kopf Net Worth, Relationships, Career and Other Details

With a reported net worth of $12 million in 2023 according to Celebrity Net Worth, Corinna Kopf has made a name for herself as a multi-faceted social media star in the United States. Kopf’s online presence began to take shape back in 2011 when she first joined Twitter, and she later expanded her reach by creating an Instagram account in the following year while she was still a student. As a result of her hard work and dedication, Kopf has managed to garner a massive following of over 6.5 million on Instagram, 1.74 m on YouTube and 2.9 million on Twitter.

Career

In 2015, Corinna Kopf’s career received a major boost after her appearances on David Dobrik‘s vlogs as a member of the renowned Vlog Squad. Her popularity skyrocketed, and she decided to engage her fans by conducting a poll on Twitter to inquire if she should start her own YouTube channel. To her delight, her fans responded positively, and she subsequently launched her self-titled YouTube channel in 2017. As a Vlog Squad member, Kopf has enjoyed the privilege of collaborating with some of the biggest names in the social media space, including Liza Koshy, Alex Ernst, and Toddy Smith, among others.

Kopf is an avid gaming enthusiast who has been enamoured with video games from a young age. She kicked off her live streaming career on Twitch, where she frequently streamed popular titles such as Fortnite and other captivating games. Kopf was able to garner a significant amount of followers and steady viewership throughout her tenure on the platform. Unfortunately, she was issued a ban by Twitch in 2019 and shortly after, was signed by Facebook Gaming for an exclusive streaming contract. This marked a major milestone in Kopf’s professional career as a streamer, allowing her to reach new heights within the industry that would not have been possible without this opportunity.

Birth and Education

Corinna Kopf is a social media star born on December 1, 1995 in Palatine, Illinois. She has German heritage and is a native speaker of the language. Her family resides in predominantly Midwest states such as Wisconsin, Iowa, and Missouri.

Corinna Kopf is an American national who was raised in an upper-middle-class family and follows the Christian faith. Her father works as a businessman, while her mother is a homemaker. Kopf attended a local high school in her hometown and from a young age, she nurtured dreams of gaining a huge fan following and becoming a star in the entertainment industry.

In addition to her aspirations, Kopf is also blessed with stunning looks, an attractive personality, and stands tall at 5 feet 5 inches. Her long, shiny, and blonde hair coupled with her captivating eyes are a few of the many traits that make her alluring…Read More

Source: Prime Profit Media

[allcnaprograms]

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In this article, we will explore some of the best CNA classes in Illinois that offer high-quality training, hands-on experience, and excellent job placement opportunities. ​Whether you are‌ a recent high school graduate, a career ⁢changer, or ⁤someone looking to⁢ advance in the healthcare field, these top CNA classes will help⁣ you unlock your future and achieve your​ professional goals.

**Benefits of Becoming a CNA in‌ Illinois:**

-⁢ High demand for CNAs in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities – Competitive salaries and benefits for CNAs in ​Illinois – ‍Opportunities for career advancement ​in the healthcare ‍industry – Fulfilling work experience ⁢by helping ‌patients and ‌making ⁣a difference in their lives – Flexible⁣ work schedules ⁤and‌ opportunities to work‍ in various healthcare settings

**Top CNA⁢ Classes in Illinois:**

1. ​**City Colleges of Chicago ‌- Malcolm⁢ X College:** – Location:⁤ Chicago, IL ‌ – Program Length: 12 weeks ⁤ ⁤ – Curriculum: Comprehensive ‍training in ⁣nursing skills,‍ patient care, and medical terminology – ⁤Job⁤ Placement: Strong connections with local​ healthcare facilities ⁣for ⁢job placement assistance

2. **Joliet Junior College:** – Location: ​Joliet, IL – Program Length: 8 weeks – Curriculum: Hands-on training in basic nursing skills, infection control, ​and communication – Job Placement: Career services ​for students to help⁢ with job placement after graduation

3.⁤ **Harper ⁤College:** – Location: Palatine, IL ​ ⁤ – Program Length: 10‌ weeks – Curriculum: Classroom ⁣lectures, lab simulations, and⁢ clinical experiences in a healthcare setting -‍ Job⁢ Placement:⁣ Career counseling and job fairs to connect students with potential employers

**Practical Tips for ‍Choosing the Right CNA Class:**

– Research ⁤the curriculum⁤ and program length ⁢of⁢ each⁤ CNA class – ​Consider the⁤ location and schedule of the classes⁤ to ensure​ they fit ⁢your ​needs – Look for programs with ⁤hands-on training ​and clinical experiences for real-world practice – Check the​ job placement rate ⁤and ‍support‍ services ​offered⁣ by the CNA classes – Compare tuition costs and ​financial aid‌ options available for each program

**Case Study: Sarah’s Journey to Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant**

Sarah always had a ​passion for ⁣helping ‌others and​ knew she wanted to pursue a career in healthcare.‌ After researching different healthcare professions, she⁢ decided to become a Certified Nursing Assistant to start⁤ her career​ in the medical ⁤field. Sarah enrolled in a‌ top CNA class in Illinois that offered comprehensive⁣ training, hands-on experience, and job placement‍ assistance.

During her CNA training, Sarah learned essential nursing skills, patient care techniques, and communication strategies. She also gained‌ valuable experience through clinical rotations at⁢ local healthcare facilities, where she worked under the supervision​ of ⁣experienced nurses and ‌healthcare professionals. After completing her CNA ⁣program, Sarah passed the state certification exam with ⁤flying colors‍ and ⁢landed a job at a reputable hospital in Illinois.

Now, Sarah is thriving ​in her career as‌ a CNA, providing quality care⁤ to patients, assisting ⁤nurses with medical procedures, and making a positive impact on the‍ lives⁤ of others. She is grateful for the top ​CNA class that ‍helped ​her unlock her future and achieve her dreams​ of working in the‍ healthcare industry.

**Conclusion: ​Unlock Your Future with‌ Top ⁤CNA Classes in Illinois**

Becoming a⁤ Certified Nursing Assistant is a rewarding ‍and⁣ fulfilling career path for aspiring‍ healthcare professionals in Illinois. By choosing one of the top CNA classes ‍mentioned in this ​article, you can receive high-quality ⁢training, hands-on experience, and ‍excellent job placement opportunities to jumpstart your‌ healthcare career. With the growing demand for CNAs in‍ the healthcare industry, now is the⁤ perfect time ‍to unlock your future and achieve your professional goals as a CNA in⁣ Illinois.

https://allcnaprograms.com/open-your-future-top-cna-classes-in-illinois-for-aspiring-healthcare-professionals/

[laurencna]

Leading CNA Schools in Illinois: Your Guide to Launching a Rewarding Healthcare Career

**Title: Top CNA Schools in Illinois: Your Guide to Launching a Rewarding ⁢Healthcare ‍Career**

**Introduction**

If⁤ you’re looking to embark on a fulfilling career in the healthcare industry as a Certified Nursing​ Assistant (CNA)⁣ in Illinois, you’re in the right place. Pursuing a ​career as a CNA can be a rewarding experience, offering opportunities to make a positive impact‌ on the lives‌ of ​patients while enjoying a stable and in-demand job.

**Why Choose a Career as a CNA in Illinois?**

Certified Nursing Assistants play ⁣a crucial role in ⁤healthcare settings, providing direct‍ care to patients under the supervision of licensed nurses. CNAs assist with activities of daily living, ‌such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and mobility. In Illinois, CNAs are in high demand, with a projected job growth rate of ​9% from‌ 2020 to 2030, ⁣according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

**Benefits of Becoming a CNA in Illinois**

– Competitive pay and benefits – Job stability and growth opportunities – Opportunities‌ for career advancement in the healthcare field – Fulfilling work that‌ makes ⁢a difference in patients’ lives

**Top CNA⁣ Schools in Illinois**

1. **Joliet Junior College -‌ Joliet, IL** – Program Duration: 8 weeks ⁢ ⁢- Tuition: $1,200 – Contact: (815) 280-2421 – Website: www.jjc.edu

2.‌ **College of DuPage – Glen Ellyn, IL** – Program Duration: 6 weeks – Tuition: $1,500 – Contact: (630) 942-2800 ‌ – Website: www.cod.edu

3. **Harper College – Palatine, IL** – Program ⁤Duration: 10 weeks ⁣ – Tuition: $1,800 – Contact: (847) 925-6000 – Website: www.harpercollege.edu

**Practical Tips for Choosing the Right CNA School**

– Research‌ the school’s accreditation and reputation. – Consider the program duration and ​schedule. – Compare tuition costs and financial aid options. – Visit the campus and talk to current‌ students or alumni. – Look for schools with high pass rates on the CNA certification exam.

**Case Study: Sarah’s Journey to Becoming a ​CNA**

Sarah always had‍ a⁢ passion for helping others and decided to pursue a career as a Certified Nursing Assistant. After researching various CNA schools in Illinois, she chose Joliet Junior College⁢ for its reputable ‍program and affordable tuition. With dedication and hard work, Sarah completed⁢ her training and passed the CNA certification exam on her⁢ first attempt. ​Today, she enjoys a rewarding career working in a local nursing home,‌ where she makes a difference in the‍ lives of ⁣residents every day.

**Conclusion**

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant in Illinois is a rewarding career choice that⁢ offers job stability, competitive ⁣pay, and opportunities for growth. By choosing a top CNA school and completing your training, you can launch⁢ a successful healthcare career and make a positive impact on the lives of patients. Start your journey to becoming a CNA today and take‍ the first step towards a fulfilling career in healthcare.

https://trainingcna.org/leading-cna-schools-in-illinois-your-guide-to-launching-a-rewarding-healthcare-career/

[hayleycna]

Ultimate Guide to Top CNA Programs in Illinois: Your Path to a Rewarding Healthcare Career Starts Here!

**Title: Ultimate Guide to Top CNA Programs⁢ in Illinois: Your Path to a Rewarding Healthcare Career Starts Here!**

**Introduction:** Are ​you‌ interested in pursuing a career in the healthcare field as a Certified Nursing Assistant ⁢(CNA) in Illinois? If so, ⁤you’ve come ​to the right place! In ⁣this‌ comprehensive guide, we ‌will explore the top CNA programs in ⁣Illinois that will equip you with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in this rewarding profession. Whether you’re a high school graduate looking to jumpstart ‌your career or a⁢ working professional seeking a‌ career‍ change,⁤ becoming a CNA⁣ can be ‍a fulfilling and lucrative path. Let’s dive in and‌ discover the best CNA programs in Illinois to⁢ kickstart your⁢ journey towards a successful healthcare career.

**Top CNA ⁢Programs in Illinois:** 1. **Chicago State ‌University:** ⁤ ‍ – ⁢Location: Chicago, IL ‌ – Program Length: 8-12 weeks – ‌Curriculum: Includes classroom instruction and hands-on clinical training – Accreditation: Approved by the Illinois Department ‍of Public Health (IDPH)

2. **Joliet Junior⁤ College:** ⁤ ​ – Location: Joliet, IL – Program Length: 6-8 weeks ⁣ – Curriculum: Covers basic nursing skills, infection control, and patient care ⁤ ⁤ – Accreditation: Accredited by the Higher Learning ​Commission (HLC)

3. **Harper College:** – Location: Palatine,⁤ IL – Program‍ Length: 6-10 weeks – Curriculum: Emphasizes communication skills, ethics, ⁤and professionalism – Accreditation: Approved⁣ by the Illinois‍ Board of Higher Education

**Benefits of Pursuing a CNA ‍Program in Illinois:** – **High Demand:** The ‌demand for CNAs in Illinois is projected to grow, providing job security and stability. – **Competitive ⁢Salary:** CNAs in Illinois can earn a competitive salary with opportunities for advancement. – ⁤**Career Growth:** A CNA certification can⁣ serve as a stepping stone to a rewarding career in healthcare.

**Practical Tips for Success in CNA Programs:** – **Stay Organized:** Keep track ​of assignments, deadlines, and clinical hours. – **Seek Support:** Reach out ⁣to instructors, classmates, and mentors for guidance and assistance. – **Practice ​Self-Care:** Take‌ care of your physical and mental well-being‌ to avoid​ burnout.

**Conclusion:** Embarking on a career ⁣as‍ a Certified Nursing Assistant in Illinois can open doors to a fulfilling and impactful profession in the healthcare industry. By enrolling in a top CNA⁣ program, you will⁣ gain the skills and experience needed to⁢ provide quality care to patients while enjoying a rewarding career. Whether you choose Chicago ⁤State⁣ University,​ Joliet Junior ⁣College, or Harper College, your journey towards becoming a CNA starts here. Take the first step towards a brighter future and ⁢make ‌a difference in‍ the lives of others by ⁣pursuing a CNA program in Illinois today!

Remember, the⁤ path to a rewarding healthcare career begins with the right education​ and training. Choose a top ‍CNA program in Illinois and⁣ start your journey towards success!

https://cnatrainingcertification.org/ultimate-guide-to-top-cna-programs-in-illinois-your-path-to-a-rewarding-healthcare-career-starts-here/

[umichenginabroad]

Week 9: Easter Edition

Welcome back to my blog everyone! This week we had our IFSA version of “spring break”, which just so happened to be an extra Thursday off of school. It happens to overlap with Easter Monday so we have a solid 5 day weekend to explore! 

Bypassing Branches: Escaping Easter in Prague

I spent Thursday wandering through Prague’s many Easter markets. There’s one in nearly every main square, or náměstí, with countless stalls selling snacks, jewelry, handmade crafts, and more! For all the ladies, however, I highly recommend getting out of Prague for the actual Easter day. They’ve got this crazy tradition where guys go around with handmade willow sticks decorated with ribbons and playfully swat the girls. It's called Pomlázka, and it's said to bring beauty and youth. In return, girls are supposed to hand out homemade eggs or a shot of local spirit. I’m really not sure how great it would feel to get hit by a branch, especially as the guys get progressively drunker and more aggressive throughout the day, but I’ll respect the tradition… from a distance. 

Easter Affairs, with an Italian Flair

Thursday night I flew out to Italy for a solo trip. I landed pretty late, so I stayed in a cute hotel right next to the airport. In the morning, the nicest mother took care of me, making me breakfast + sandwiches to go and coordinating transportation to the bus stop so I could get to the city center. 

My travels throughout Italy ended up aligning perfectly with their most famous Easter traditions! Every Good Friday in Rome, the Pope leads a torchlight procession between the Colosseum and Palatine Hill. I actually could not describe my excitement to see the Pope in real life, but he ended up calling in sick at the last minute, and didn’t show up. I still got to watch the procession in a huge crowd though.

I spent Saturday and Sunday in Florence with my best friend from high school, Camille, and her family. The tradition in Florence on Easter Sunday is literally an exploding cart – the Scoppio del Carro. Camille’s family attended Church in the Duomo that morning, not expecting the ceremony to start with lighting of a (fake) bird on fire, sending it flying out a window, and then igniting a massive cart packed with fireworks. lol imagine their surprise. I missed filming the actual explosion but I captured a picture of the actual cart below. 

On Easter Monday I traveled to Milan, just in time for their annual Fiera dell’Angelo: an extensive Spring market with flowers and plants. I also found a stand selling popular street food, including Sicilian cannolis! My grandparents are from Sicily, and owned an Italian restaurant in Milwaukee when I was younger. I grew up making cannolis with my cousins for weddings and other special occasions, so I was super excited to have a taste of home here in Italy.

So there you go, Easter with a side of culture shock, and I’ve gotta say, I’m here for it. Thanks for reading, Happy Easter!!! 😄🐣🌷

Čau (or more fittingly, Ciao!),

Reese Liebman

Computer Science and Engineering

Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) CS Tech Career Accelerator in Prague, Czechia

[starckre]

Investing in Palatine, IL Real Estate: Is Now the Right Time?

Palatine, a northwest suburb of Chicago located in Cook County, Illinois, has long been an attractive area for families and professionals looking for affordability, good schools, and proximity to Chicago. With a population of just under 70,000, Palatine offers a small-town feel while still providing easy access to big city amenities. For real estate investors, Palatine presents an interesting opportunity. Here we'll examine the current real estate market in Palatine and consider whether now is a good time to invest. So, get ready for contact with certified relocation professional.

Housing Market Overview

The housing market in Palatine remains strong, though it has cooled slightly from its peak in 2021-2022. Home prices continue to rise, but at a slower pace than earlier in pandemic-fueled seller's market. The median home price in Palatine as of July 2022 was $385,000, up 11.6% from the previous year according to Redfin. While bidding wars are less common, homes are still selling quickly at just 12 days on market. Inventory remains tight, with only 1.5 months of supply available. This persistent shortage of homes for sale will likely keep upward pressure on prices.

Rents have also been rising steadily, making Palatine an attractive area for investors. As of July 2022, average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment was $1,395, up 15% year-over-year, according to Apartment List. Occupancy rates have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels above 95%. With rents rising faster than home prices, Palatine remains affordable relative to other Chicagoland areas, offering investors opportunity for cash flow.

Drivers of Demand

Several factors suggest demand will remain strong in Palatine real estate:

Job growth - Palatine benefits from proximity to major employers like Zurich North America, Weber-Stephen Products, and GE Healthcare. Unemployment stands at just 3.1% as of June 2022. New developments like the $300 million Sterling Bay warehouse project on the former Motorola campus will bring more jobs.

Population growth - Palatine's population grew 4.2% from 2010 to 2020, nearly twice the Cook County rate of 2.3%. New residential developments will accommodate demand.

Highly-rated schools - Palatine School District 15 is consistently ranked top in the state. For families, this is a major draw.

Transportation access - Easy access to I-90, Route 53, and two Metra stations make Palatine a convenient suburb. A new proposal to extend Route 53 north could enhance accessibility further.

Potential Headwinds

Despite the positives, some factors could dampen real estate outlook:

Rising mortgage rates - Rates above 5% reduce buyer affordability and dampen demand. Sales may moderate.

High property taxes - Typical property tax rate is over 2% in Palatine, among the highest in the metro area. This could deter some buyers, especially if home prices moderate.

New construction - 2,000+ new residential units planned could boost inventory, moderating price growth. However, construction costs may delay projects.

Overall Assessment

Fundamentals remain generally favorable for residential real estate investing in Palatine. Though the market has cooled slightly from its peak, tight inventory, strong demand drivers, and increasing rents continue to make Palatine attractive. Investors should monitor mortgage rates and new construction closely, but opportunities currently outweigh risks. Taking a long-term view, Palatine offers stable population growth, a vibrant local economy, and accessibility that set the stage for continued real estate demand. For buy-and-hold investors or those considering new development, Palatine offers promising upside potential.

[kevinmmiller]

Stephanie, Consuela, and Ariana

@kevinmmillerr on @instagram and My Online Blog: www.kevinspolitics.com. Reminiscing about my teenage years for an upcoming project, and Web Series that I'm working on: "Stephanie, Consuela, and Ariana" - Excerpt from "Time of My Life" (Forthcoming)

Daily writing promptWrite about your first crush.View all responses Stephanie, Consuela, and Ariana An Excerpt from “Time of My Life” (Forthcoming) A little while before all these events came to pass, Freshman year, and perhaps thoroughly along the same lines, I found what could only be described as what I thought was eureka, or some Diocletian retreat. I mentioned that I was someone who came…

[chicagochinesenews]

伊州學校2023-24學年本週開始陸續上學了

(芝加哥時報快訊)經過漫長的暑假後,伊利諾州的學校2023-24學年從本週開始陸續回學校上學了， 帕拉廷-沙姆伯格高中區211 (Palatine-Schaumburg High School District 211) 的五所學校，以及 聖查爾斯區303 (St. Charles Unit District 303) 的學校是第一批開學的。 Continue reading Untitled

[ifrabaig]

Toy Camera - Overlap of Fremd High School, Palatine IL, April 2023

[bebeind]

subdue color assignment, Teachers favorite, photo of ceiling in Fremd High School cafeteria, Palatine IL

[rock-and-roll-hell]

April 19, 1975

Dressed To Kill Tour

Fremd High School Gymnasium - Palatine (Chicago), Illinois

📸 Unknown

One school student recalled the show: "[We] knew something wild happened that Saturday night when during our Monday morning gym class it smelled like we were running inside a giant bong" (Beachwood Reporter, 11/2/11).