open RP, Octavian: o tempora, o mores!

[fiercefluffy.livejournal.com]

Octavian had seen a sign-up sheet for a Valentine's Day event. The Encyclopedia Britannica had become Octavian's best friend, and resorting to this work, he learned that some crazy cult had swept the globe, become the dominant cultural force in the West, and co-opted perfectly good holidays. His familiar Lupercalia had become a celebration ostensibly to honor some Christian 'bishop'.

This led him to ponder many things. Over his solitary light dinner in the Great Hall, he ruminated:

How could an obscure religious fringe group based on quasi-cannibalistic rites grow to such power?

Should he sign up for this Valentine thing, in order to become more familiar with new practices, or should he abstain to show disapproval?

Would it be at all feasible to procure for his friend and sometime employee Titus Pullo a wench with whom to celebrate the Lupercalia? Pullo had mentioned before the disappointing lack of prostitutes at Hogwarts. What had he said was the modern term? Ah, yes. Spice Girls. Octavian would have to see about procuring a Spice Girl for his friend. Pullo deserved it!

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[fiercefluffy.livejournal.com]

"I did not get that far in my thinking as yet," Octavian admitted. "I have only just today learned about this holiday as it is currently celebrated. My impression of the village is that it does not contain the amenities of a metropolis, which would include a proper brothel."

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"This is a fact," she conceeded. "I do not suppose that this planet is like Dathomir. On my planet, a woman captures her lovers. Her partners are limited only by how fast her legs are.". Her mother had captured her father that way.

"Most planets are not as wild. My grandmother is an expert at procuring suitable servants.". She took a bite of her bread. "But this does not help us find a prostitute for your friend."

[fiercefluffy.livejournal.com]

"The more I learn about your grandmother, the more I am put in mind of my mother." Octavian took a swallow of water, as if to wash away the taste of his mother's name. "I do not object to the purchase of servants, temporary or permanent. I am beginning to understand that people here do object in some ways. They treat the house elves as we would have treated our servants and slaves. I doubt Pullo would care to take a house elf to his bed, however. I'd rather get him someone he would like."

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"If slavery is against the custom of this world, we should still be able to temporarily hire the services of a prostitute. Do you have any idea of the cost of such a woman?" If Octavian spoke highly of this Pullo, then he must be worth an expensive whore. Sex workers were definitely a commodity where one got what one paid for. Her experience was with male slaves and servants, but the basic principles were the same. Attractive. Free of disease. Knowledgeable in the art of pleasure. It was a subject that Tenel Ka herself had little interest in, but she had heard the bawdy stories told around the fires of the Singing Mountain Clan, and the whispered comments muttered from one noble to another in the royal halls of Hapes.

[fiercefluffy.livejournal.com]

Octavian did not like to admit ignorance. His jaw tightened.

"The Encyclopedia Britannica did not give the necessary information," he admitted.

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"Then we will have to ask how much a prostitute at Hogwarts costs," she said, perfectly serious. "I often see signs asking questions. Maybe we should create one ourselves."

[fiercefluffy.livejournal.com]

Octavian considered this plan. It was almost too direct for his taste. At the same time, Tenel Ka was nothing if not direct, and that was something Octavian admired about her. It would take her kind of mind to come up with such an effective and practical solution.

"It would have to be a sign Pullo could not see."

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"That would not be hard. We would only need to charm it like the messages sent by owl." Left to her own devices, the poster would only show Pullo a blank sheet of paper, but maybe Octavian would be more creative. "Do we also need to advertise for your prostitute, or do you have one already?"

[fiercefluffy.livejournal.com]

Through his arduous childhood, Octavian had learned not to give Atia the satisfaction of seeing him betray even an iota of shock. Indirectly, then, he had the house of the Julii to thank that he did not splutter at Tenel Ka's question.

"I have no need of one," he said flatly.

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Octavian's face was indeed well schooled; Tenel Ka never would have noticed his shock though normal means. Through the Force, though, she could tell that her question had bothered him. If a prostitute was required for this celebration, shouldn't he have one of his own? She seemed a little bit flustered before she answered. Sometimes, being privy to other's emotions unsettled her. With other Jedi, it was a natural occurence. With non-Force sensitive people, it could be embarrassing. "Ah. Then it is settled. We shall make a poster for your friend. Unless you would rather do it on your own?"

[fiercefluffy.livejournal.com]

Octavian did perceive a moment of silence, possible confusion, before she spoke. He looked down at his plate. "No, I would appreciate assistance. Your knowledge of how to make this poster invisible to Pullo would be invaluable."

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She could use magic in this case. There were ways of manipulating images through the Force, but she would have to know it target better. it also reeked of the Dark Side. "Then we will need paper. I suppose there is a spell for this, but I am not familiar with it."

[fiercefluffy.livejournal.com]

Pleased that here was a bit of magic he actually knew, Octavian said forthrightly: "Accio parchment." A sheet of parchment, drawn from who knew where, obeyed. Another well-placed Accio had a quill and inkwell for them to use.

Octavian's experience of advertisements was limited to the town crier's regular pronouncements. He took quill and ink, as it was for him to do the writing, this being his poster. He would not have offered to write for Tenel Ka were it her poster to write. It would have been presumptuous of him, and besides, he was curious as to how a one-armed person might write. Writing would be difficult without a second hand to hold the paper in place, surely. A large rock could hold down the paper, though, or an urn or some other decorative object of estimable weight ... hm.

"How best to begin, I wonder. I am given to understand that nearly all women in this place and time are literate. Still, a brief text would be ideal. Were I writing only to a single particular prostitute I might write at more length." He was stalling. He felt that there was no good prostitute-related equivalent to Today's news has been brought to you by the Capitoline Brotherhood of Millers! True Roman bread for true Romans!

[ah-aha.livejournal.com]

Tenel Ka's eyebrows raised when the paper zipped into the room. She was impressed. With the Force she could have called the items too her, but with nowhere need the speed or skill that he just had. She would have to practice when she got back to her own room.

"I feel that outlining the qualifications should be enough. Age, sex, and any features you think your friend would like. Also, they must be quality prostitutes."