Roman Society, a ROMANtic Story

The Market

The market was so busy all of the time, but especially on market days. Patricians and Plebeians can shop here, but usually everyone keeps to themselves considering some of the tension that has been going on between the two classes. You see, us Plebeians think it is very unfair how we don't get to make decisions on laws, or have important jobs like Patricians do, so now some Plebeians are starting to protest.

I went to the fisher's warf to purchase some fish for tonight's supper. 

"Hey, Aulus my boy!" Mr. Sinius exclaimed. He was a heavy man, so it took some work to waddle over me. Mr. Sinius was the captain of the largest ship and he basically ran the whole warf. "Haven't seen ya in a while."

"It has been a while since we could afford your fish, sir." I stated

"Yes, well, what can I do for ya, Aulus? I have trout, cod, slamon and oh! We just got some catfish that tastes absolutely-"

"I'll just have the trout, sir." Mr. Sinius will go on and on about fish if you let him. One time, I spent an hour listening to him ramble about the myths and legends about Tuna. There is something wrong with the man.

"Just the trout? Are you sure? The catfish is a real deal and-"

"I'm sure, Mr. Sinius." I said with some impatience.

"Alright, have a good one, Aulus!" Mr. Sinius wrapped the fish in some paper and I gave him some silvers. 

I waved good-bye and gave him a smile to apologize for my impatience towards him, when he was just trying to be helpful.

Then I saw her. She was gorgeous. She was wearing a white, flowy dress and her long, dark, siky hair was swaying in the breeze behind her. Two servants were walking beside her as she was smiling and talking to a Patrician. Was she a Patrician? Probably, considering her clean, white dress and the two servants.

She sensed me staring at her and she looked my way. When she saw me, she smiled a beautiful smile that hit me so hard I thought I was going to fall back. She also had mocha skin. She must have been from the Orthian descent. It was a group that was made up of all Patricians and was one of the most honered groups in all of Rome. She turned back to the citizen she was speaking to. Ten seconds of glory was all I needed.

I was feeling pretty good now. She was so amazing and all the way home I was thinking of her stunning smile and how she looked at me with her ultra marine eyes. 

I took the short path to my house and followed the creek to the straw hut. My mother was waiting for me at the door.

"Did you get the fish?" She inquired.

"Yes, Mother."  I said wearily.

"Good, now get ready for supper and help Marcella get ready as well."

"Fine." I said with a sigh.

I stepped inside the warm house. Vita was engraving something on a tablet at the table.

"What are you doing?" I asked Vita, as I set the fish on the table.

"I am doing art." Vita explained. There was such a thing as paper, but a lot of people thought it was more beautiful to engrave on tablets.

"Lovely" I sat down and took my jacket off. Vita was creating beautiful art. Her hand carefully held the gouge to create an enormous tree.

 Then all of the sudden there was a knock on our door.