Let's Kill Caesar

7: Jellybeans Unlimited

"You can't be serious," Endymion hissed. "Caesar won't change anything; if he does it will be for the better."

Cicero didn't meet his eyes as she drew her hand away and snatched up her coffee. A long sip. Endymion could only twiddle his thumbs, unsure if that was a queue to leave. He sighed and tentatively rose to his feet. "Look, I should just go..."

Alma sprang up suddenly, lips pursed. "No. Stay Brutus."

"It's fine Cicero," he laughed, blushing with shame. "I shouldn't waste your time on such frivolous shit."

"I said no, Brutus." Cicero's shoulders rolled back, she gestured to the armchair strongly. "You came for advice - now let me offer some."

Endymion glanced at the door. Just hear her out. It would be wise - knowledge is never given this freely. With anxious clumsiness he sat back down. Alma smiled triumphantly and followed, one long leg leaning across the other.

"So this will be your first magistracy then?"

Endymion nodded slowly. "My first election. I doubt I'll get anywhere."

"That's not very Roman of you, Brutus." A sly grin. Endymion bowed his head, ears warming.

"Well on that note, my first piece of advice is this: start imagining you can win." Alma's eyes pinned him down.

Endymion snickered dryly. "You're joking. Aren't you a realist, Cicero?"

"Yes," Cicero snapped, tugging on one of her curls, "but I am also a plebeian - how else do you think I got here?"

Endymion shut his mouth daring not to challenge her. Alma stuck out her chin, cleared her throat. "My second piece of advice - choose your friends and stick with them, no matter what."

"Choose? How-"

Alma stuck up a finger. "I'm handing this out for free, the least you can do is figure it out for yourself."

Endymion grimaced. "Right. Sorry."

Cicero took another sip of coffee. "And finally, the most important for you to know." The senator leaned forward her brow furrowed. Goosebumps covered Endymion's arms as she breathed, "I don't give up secrets that easy Brutus. Two is enough. Come back when you have something I want."

***

"I can't believe you went to Cicero of all people."

Endymion covered his face with his hands as Bastian cackled, almost rolling off the bed.

"I thought she'd have some wisdom, okay?"

After Alma's useless so-called 'advice', Endymion had no choice but to take solace in the company of Bastian Octavius.

The youths were sprawled on Bast's four-poster bed while some cringey sitcom they had viewed repeatedly played softly on the TV. Chocolate wrappers and donut boxes were strewn across the floor; collateral damage of Endymion's humiliation.

Bastian rolled onto his stomach, big eyes sparkling with amusement. "Well what did Alma say?"

Endymion grunted. "Nothing new - just said allies were important and to believe in myself."

His friend guffawed, body shaking with laughter.

"She did not!"