Calculus II

III. Thinking Rationally

Hypothermia, Martinus, and Calculus II stood outside Nebulus's villa, staring up in awe at the tall doors, whitewashed walls, and sloping red-tiled roof. The home was enormous, complete with ionic columns and even a little courtyard fountain.

"Wow," Martinus said after a moment. "I want one of those."

"Choose your wife wisely, then," Hypothermia commented drily. "You'll need to marry into a very rich family to live in a place like that."

"Oh, I wasn't talking about the villa," Martinus clarified. "I meant the fountain. I think it would be funny to have a little cherub peeing into a fish's mouth. Don't you think it would look good outside the brewery? My dad would think it's hilarious." He turned to Calculus, who merely shook his head in bemusement at the odd decoration.

"Hilarius?" Hypothermia echoed, puzzled.

"The adjective, not your father," Cal explained.

"Oh." The confusion vanished from her expression. "So, are we going to go in?"

"It looks kind of empty," Martinus commented. "I think the household staff caught wind of their master's demise and decided to take a holiday."

"That's a bit rude of them," Hypothermia huffed.

Martinus shrugged. "It's not like he needs anyone cooking dinner or sweeping the floors for him anymore."

"Why don't we go next door instead?" Cal suggested. "Maybe the neighbors noticed something."

The villa next to the deceased astronomer's was no less impressive, and in fact, was perhaps even more so. A maid greeted the trio at the front door and led them through the vestibulum, across the atrium, past the peristylium, around the triclinium, and into the tablinum, where they were told to wait while she fetched the head of the household.

Martinus sat down on a chair with a tired sigh. "I definitely do not want a villa," he said. "There's too much walking involved. Did you see how far it was from the triclinium to the nearest cubiculum? I think I'd fall asleep at the table after dinner before I could cross that distance to my bed."

"No, instead you'd rather have a crude fountain in your front lawn," Hypothermia retorted.

Martinus shrugged, not at all perturbed by her criticism. "I think it captures the spirit of Bacchus very well. It's perfect for a brewery."

The maid returned to the study a moment later, followed by a tall man with a solemn expression and a short, dark beard. The patrician was wearing red sandals and a whitened toga candida that indicated his involvement in politics.

"Well, who do we have here?" the man said, turning to Calculus. "I think I've seen you somewhere before."

Cal was momentarily surprised to find that he recognized the man as well, but quickly recovered. "Yes sir," he replied. "I know your son, Pyrus."

"Oh, you must be that plebeian boy he's told me about," Helius replied with a small smile. "Calciferous, or something, wasn't it?"

"Calculus the Second, sir," Cal corrected respectfully. He could only imagine what things Pyrus had had to say about him, since the two teens were not on good terms with one another. Still, it seemed that the boy's father didn't have a terrible opinion of him, at least. It was only a shame that Pyrus hadn't acquired any of that politeness.

"Ah, yes, yes. So what brings you and your friends to my villa?"

Cal glanced at Hypothermia and Martinus before giving an answer. "We were wondering if you could tell us about your neighbor, Nebulus," he said. "And if you've seen anything suspicious lately."