#britalia marciana

[dawn-venus-devotee]

Gem Of Rome

Ch 1: A Spring Surprise & Celebrations Align

Word count: 2711 words

Britalia’s POV

It was a warm afternoon, the comfortable breeze blowing through the city of Rome, caressing the skin of her peoples. Another day to pass and yet another victory to be celebrated, the great war general Marcus Acacius’ most recent victory in specific, his claim to victory in Numidia. Oh my sweet, sweet uncle… bloodshed does not suit him in my honest opinion, but his position in the Empire is a necessary evil. He is entrusted by both Emperors, Geta and Caracalla, which is in mine, his and Lucilla’s best interests.

I was sitting at the vanity Lucilla had built for me in my private quarters in the home we lived in, pampering myself and beautifying myself even further as I spoke to my Uncle Acacius as he sat on the edge of my bed.

“Uncle Acacius, I am not saying I do not understand why you keep me out of reach from Geta and Caracalla. But I do ask you to hear me out, please.”

My dear Uncle Acacius, a man in his early fifties, who has faced many battles and wars, gave me a stern look before speaking.

“Speak plainly, I am listening.”

I let out a small hum at Acacius’ words and nodded my head a bit before speaking, staring into the mirror of my vanity as I brushed my hair.

“Geta and Caracalla are childish, impulsive, ill tempered and lack rationality…. I am someone who is able to balance them out, rule from the inside out and make all the decisions, and work my way to Empress by marriage. If I am to marry both of them, so be it. Plus, you are General Marcus Acacius, a true pietas ... They owe you every victory Rome has had since you came to be. They are indebted to all you’ve done, you have their trust in abundances….”

He listened to my words carefully, nodding, deep in thought. He then looked at me and spoke.

"I don't deny that you have good logic, Britalia."

He paused for a moment.

"You understand that they are not easy men to handle, to deal with. They are strong and stubborn."

He paused and thought about it for a moment more, letting out an exhausted sigh.

"Geta is the more mature one of the two, more well-mannered, with control. He is more rational and logical. As for Caracalla…he is older, yet still young and foolish, not much good to him. He lets his ego and temper get in the way." 

Ah yes, the aforementioned Emperors. They were rather an…. Interesting pair, those two. Geta seemed to be more level headed of the two, I would, I suppose, and Caracalla… he seemed quite temperamental. Though I would suppose he does not wish to be that way, something tells me so in my heart and soul. I had met them briefly a handful of times, but today… Today I was determined to make one everlasting impression on the Emperors, one that would linger in their deepest of thoughts and be burned in their minds like an emotional brand. 

I turned a bit to face Acacius, raising a brow as I continued to brush my hair, my soft blush pink dress pooling a bit at the bottom onto the floor.

“Yet Caracalla is the older of the two, interesting….but I assure you, uncle, I have this under control. I am known as “The Gem of Rome” for a reason. The only concern I have is for that slippery little oil covered eel Macrinus ... He's selfish, greedy and highly manipulative…. but I can play the long game….”

Acacius looked at me, clearly a bit surprised by my words.

"Ah…you’ve caught on to Macrinus’ tendencies, then." He said with a bit of approval. 

He got up and walked to me, putting a hand on my shoulder in a fatherly manner.

"You are quite the clever and intelligent woman, my dear niece."

He lifted my chin gently and looked into my eyes, then sighed heavily before speaking once more.

"As wise as I know you are, you are still a young woman, only twenty three. I don’t know if you can handle their childishness, stubbornness and impulsiveness."

I let out a small hum and set my brush down on my vanity before getting up from my seat, sitting down next to Acacius on my bed and placing a hand on his shoulder.

“Uncle, they lack a paternal figure, yes, but what else do Geta and Caracalla lack…?”

He put his hand over my own hand, looking at me with understanding.

"A woman to rule over them. They need someone with brains, someone with wit, someone to humble them, keep them from being completely impulsive to a fault." 

I let out a chuckle, nodding my head before looking outside to see dusk stretch across the sky from dark purple to pink to burnt orange….I let out a hum before looking back at Acacius.

“It is getting late, Uncle, I would suggest you spend time with Aunt Lucilla. I’m certain she would like that before retiring for the night.”

He looked at the sky and nodded in agreement. He took my hand in his, and gently squeezed it before getting up.

"You are right, my dear niece. I shall take my leave and have dinner with Lucilla. I trust you’ll be alright for the night?"

I smile and nod my head before speaking once more, returning the squeeze to Acacius’ hand.

“I will be. All of us will need to be well rested for tomorrow, as will be the celebration of your victory in Numidia. It will be at Senator Thraex’s home, prepared for the most lavish celebration almost to the point of obnoxiousness.”

Acacius gave me an endearing chuckle and nodded his head in return.

"I have been prepared for Thraex's obnoxious and over the top celebrations. He is quite the…odd character, to say the least."

He walked to the door and looked back at me for a moment.

"I shall see you tomorrow, my dear niece."

 As he spoke, he did so with a warm smile as he left your room and closed the door behind him.

~ (THE NEXT DAY) ~

It was the next day and Uncle Acacius and I were just arriving to Senator Thraex’s home, walking in and greeting the elder man who was about in his seventies. I was dressed in a flowy yet fitting silk aquamarine gown, as well as adorned in gold jewelry. I smiled a charming smile and grabbed a hold of Thraex’s hands.

“Senator Thraex, lovely to see you once again, it’s been ages. Thank you for hosting the celebration of my uncle’s victory here in your home.”

As every one of Rome’s most elite people gathered inside Senator Thraex’s home, I could feel my senses become slightly overwhelmed by a multitude of sights, sounds and smells. Music, art, concubines, food and wine…. It certainly pays off to be part of the Senate. 

Thraex gave me a wide, cheery smile in return and took my hands in his.

"It is my pleasure to host, my dearest. You look absolutely stunning tonight." 

He looked behind me and saw my uncle behind me.

"Ah, General Marcus Acacius, you are here as well! It is an honor and a joy to have you here! Come, come! Let us feast!"

He hooked an arm with mine and started leading me inside.

"I hope you are ready to have the night of your life! Food, drink, music and lots of laughter await!"

I let out a chuckle and as Thraex wandered off to go grab something, I then looked at Acacius and raised a small brow before speaking, my eyes looking off into the distance as I saw Geta and Caracalla surrounded by concubines. I grab a chalice full of wine before downing it like water.

“Liquid courage, if you will….I am going to go to the brothers, make an impression….watch from afar, Uncle…?”

Acacius looked over at the twin brothers, seeing them surrounded by concubines. He sighed a bit, knowing that it would go downhill very quickly.

"Very well, my dear niece." He said with a weary tone.

He grabbed a chalice of wine of his own and watched me as I made my way towards the brothers.

I nodded my head at Acacius before walking towards Geta and Caracalla, a charming smile on my face as my hands were in front of me, my gaze shifting between the both of them equally and my tone sweet like honey.

“Emperor Geta, Emperor Caracalla….a pleasure to see you both, it has been far too long. I cannot thank you enough for coordinating this celebration for my uncle, General Acacius. He is truly a remarkable man, is he not…? But you two….you two are generous emperors for even allowing this….I thank the both of you….”

The brothers sat back with their arms crossed, giving each other knowing looks and glances as they heard me approach. When I stopped before them, both of them looked down at me.

Geta had a sly smirk on his face, while Caracalla had a cocky smile.

Geta, the younger yet more mature twin, was the one to address me, his voice deep and charming.

"Ah, the beautiful and lovely niece of the great General Acacius. It is a pleasure to see you again!"

Caracalla chuckled and looked me up and down, a glint of playful mischief in his eyes before speaking in a cocky yet sly tone.

"You look more beautiful than the last time we saw you. Quite the woman you've grown to be." 

Geta gave his brother an annoyed glance to shut him up, before looking back down at me, his own gaze admiring my beauty.

"You have grown into quite a fine and lovely lady, Britalia. You are just as your uncle described. Beautiful, smart, and very charming."

I let out a small chuckle and fiddle with the rings on my fingers as my eyes flutter for a moment to savor the taste, before swallowing and speaking once more, letting out a hum and smiling.

“My Uncle, he….he has been the one to raise me and he has only taught me the best. Manners, humanity, knowledge ... I, Britalia Marciana, owe everything to him, every single thing.  And he dares have the gall to be so modest. I still thank you greatly, Geta, Caracalla…my Emperors…”

With my free hand, I grab their hands gently, kissing their Emperor rings as a sign of respect.

Both Geta and Caracalla watched and listened intently to me, admiring my beauty and elegance. Geta smirked a bit as I spoke of my uncle, while Caracalla chuckled at me kissing their Emperor rings.

"Your uncle is a very humble man." Caracalla said.

"Of course, he is." 

Geta responded in agreement. He looked at me closely and smiled.

"He has done a good job in raising you, my dear." He said smoothly. "You truly are a gem to Rome, as he has described."

Caracalla, the more childish and impulsive twin, spoke next, his tone full of cocky confidence.

"You grew up to be a fine and beautiful young lady. You will surely make a good wife one day."

He paused and smirked as he looked me over. He spoke with a teasing tone.

"Perhaps to two men even."

I let out a slight exhale as I feel my face ever so slightly flush at both Geta and Caracalla’s words, feeling myself become flattered by them both.

“My dear Emperors, you flatter me both….”

As I heard a few servants shuffle about with a painting, I remembered something, letting go of their hands before standing next to the painting.

“Oh, yes, I remember ... As a token of my appreciation to the both of you, I offer you this painting I did over the span of weeks…please accept it.”

As the painting was revealed to both Geta and Caracalla, it showed a large and greatly detailed, realistic painting of them both, showing them in striking resemblances to the gods, such as Apollo and Bacchus. Every detail, every brush stroke….it was perfect, making them look like striking and ethereal gods.

The brothers stood a bit speechless as they looked at the painting. They both looked very surprised and a bit in awe of my level of talent. They both admired the details, the colors, the way it was so realistic.

Geta was the first to recover and he let out an impressed whistle.

"This is magnificent." He said, sounding rather impressed.

Caracalla looked away from the painting to me, grinning in admiration.

"You are very talented, Britalia."

Geta nodded his head in agreement.

"Not only beautiful, but talented as well." He said with a smirk.

Caracalla looked me up and down once more, admiration in his gaze.

"Indeed. Quite the complete woman." He said arrogantly, as if to say he wanted me for himself.

Geta rolled his eyes at Caracalla's arrogance, but he still agreed with the statement. He had similar thoughts as well. He looked at me with an appraising gaze.

"Your uncle said you were wise as well." He said in a smooth tone.

"He was not lying." Caracalla added with a cocky smirk.

As I heard all of the honeyed words from both Geta and Caracalla, I could feel a stir of something within me….something indescribable, something never felt before….I didn’t realize that tactically downplaying myself would get me this far….As I glanced between Geta and Caracalla, I could see the both of them almost…softening….almost as if they were putting their petty sibling rivalry aside….

“Your words, they truly are flattering and mean much to me…my Emperors…..Perhaps I will see the both of you tomorrow at the Veneralia festival….?”

The brothers exchanged glances and subtle smirks as they watched me. They were both equally impressed and intrigued by my very being, though Caracalla was a bit more blunt in expressing that than Geta was.

Geta looked my body up and down once more, his gaze lingering a bit too long on my curves.

"Yes, you will see us both there." Geta said smoothly. The twins nodded their heads in agreement.

Caracalla smiled a bit cockily, eyeing me up. He looked me up and down, almost as if he was imagining what I looked like underneath the aquamarine colored gown.

"It will be a…pleasure to see you again." He said in a low tone, his gaze lingering on me for a bit to emphasize that he meant more than just see in a literal sense.

I smile and nod my head before slightly bowing and making my way back to my Uncle Acacius, raising a brow at him and a small grin on my face. I nodded at him as if to silently say that I did it. I then grab my chalice and refill it with wine before taking a sip.

“The Gem of Rome knows not of failure….”

Acacius had seen the interaction from a distance, and he was rather impressed by how well I interacted with the two. He was surprised by how well I had  handled the brothers.

When I walked up to him, he gave me a nod in a silent approval, and he smirked at my statement.

"You don't fail indeed, my dear niece." He said, a hint of pride in his voice.

He then looked back at the brothers, seeing them both watching me with admiring gazes. They were clearly very interested in me. Geta was a bit more subtle and collected in the way he looked at me, while Caracalla looked at my existence over almost with greed, almost as if he was undressing my very soul with his eyes.

Acacius gave me an amused smirk and chuckle as he spoke.

"Both brothers are clearly interested in you. We shall see tomorrow at the Veneralia festival ....”

Upon hearing Acacius’ words, I felt a small smirk tugging at the corner of my lips, taking another sip of wine from my chalice. After swallowing and remaining silent for a moment, I finally spoke.

“I plan to make the festival truly unforgettable, Uncle… ”

[dawn-venus-devotee]

  Gladiator II OC Lore

The Gem of Rome, the essence of beauty and a devotee to the great Lady Venus… How else could one describe the admired and vivacious Britalia Marciana? Not only was she adored by Rome and her peoples, but she was the niece of the great General Marcus Acacius, the one who was in charge of Rome’s many victories in wars and conquerings of lands far and wide. 

Her body was truly a beautiful one….smooth and slightly tanned skin, addicting curves and thickness, wide child bearing hips, freckles, moles and beauty marks littering her figure, dimples that highlighted that breathtaking smile of hers, her stunning hazel eyes that shine bright, the slender sloped nose, those rosy and full cheeks, those plump and full pink lips, her long, thick, luscious dark brunette hair down to her rear….. truly a beautiful sight to behold. It was as if she were carved out of stone by Lady Venus herself, as it would make sense for her to be a devotee to the goddess.

Although afforded many of the luxuries in Rome only the highest would receive, she was given such luxuries and accommodations by the Emperors themselves. Although the co-rulers of Rome and her subjects, who were Geta and Caracalla to reject the existence of such a pretty little thing… ? They have been Emperors, but before that, they were men… men with insatiable appetites that not even the most well honed of whores and concubines could satiate. No, no, what they needed more than life or air itself was their pretty little Gem of Rome, the forbidden fruit of the empire, blood to the great general… 

She was a mystery, scent of lilies and pomegranates, like figs and the sea water. She was as captivating as an anomalous cloud in a sunny blue sky, like a single deer in the forest by a pond. Like a rainbow after the most severe of storms… She was uniquely incredible and fascinating in every way possible. 

She was often seen around the streets wearing gold, and she had a heart of gold as well to match. Helping the poor urchin children, offering them food and warmth, often spending time with the less fortunate and being as charitable as possible. Most of the Senate found it to be odd, wondering why the niece of such an esteemed general would do such a thing. Some found it to be a cruel thing to do, thinking it to be a political ploy, mostly Macrinus of all… He knew of her history, knowing her to be pure at heart and nothing to hide, yet he was a selfish man who saw her to be a threat to his plans. He wanted the throne to the Roman Empire to himself, yet he couldn’t do that if the Gem of Rome was in the picture.