New Rome

34. The Results Are In

Ellie sat on the edge of his seat, alone in the living room, anxiously waiting for the election results. He was already dressed in his formal suit, though it was only narrowly passed dawn.  The suit was for later that day, when the newly elected consuls would have a formal meal with the Imperial family (Wylo and Ellie included). There would be a ceremony to swear in the two new consuls but only the Imperator and senate would be party to that. 

The votes were coming in, district by district. The Lantern had voted his way. He'd used his persona as the Silent Prince to rig the votes towards a senator named Magnus Evershine. An easily corruptible candidate, with dirty laundry that might be aired at any convenient time.  Ellie clicked his fingers nervously. 

            In the Castle of Red, the Imperator and Livia were both listening to the news – sat side by side in their garden sanctuary. Graesen plopped a grape into his mouth, feigning unconcern but his eyes were tight.

"The Lantern's results are... surprising," he commented.

"Really, how so?" Livia asked, having glossed over that result. Graesen drummed his fingers against the armrest of his chair.

"They are unanimous for a candidate. I believe this is a first."

Livia helped herself to more crackers and shrugged her shoulders – finding nothing particularly interesting in that. Graesen continued to muse, paying keen attention to the results of every district. To rule New Rome, you had to know New Rome – there was no room to be caught unawares. It was the early hours and Graesen hadn't slept all night but he still looked wide awake, his quick mind far too occupied to grow tired.

              Agrippa snored loudly. He was crashed out on the bathroom floor, his feet tangled in strewn towels. Tann was on the bed, his arms and legs sprawled out and taking up all of the space.

             Meanwhile, in Kai's newly decorated complex, Arly was wide awake. Her, Kaze and Claudius had been called down to the capital for the elections. Used to waking up early for a morning run, she was in Kai's gymnasium – running on a treadmill. She quickened her pace for the final sprint of her run, fresh beads of sweat seeping into her hairline. A tired but exultant grin spread across her face when she was done, in one of her best times. She programmed the treadmill to steadily slow down and concentrated on breathing.

"Morning," a voice called from behind her. Arly turned and smiled shyly at Kaze.

"Greetings," she replied, still a little out of breath. Kaze looked around, checking that they were alone before confidently striding toward her. Neither of them had found the courage to tell Kai that they were dating yet. Kaze hesitated, on the brink of bringing her into a hug but reading reluctance in her expression. He cocked his head to the side in question.

"I'm dirty with sweat," she mumbled - embarrassed. It wasn't fair. Kaze worked out too, but he always ended up looking incredible, with the type of messy hair and glow that models strove to recreate. She was just a flushed and sweaty mess. Kaze chuckled and pulled her into a hug.

"You are absurdly blind to your own charms."

Arly sighed happily, melting into his embrace. Kaze's self vibrated between them and Arly pulled away. "Must be the election results," he murmured, retrieving his self from his pocket so that he could read the news result. "Two new consuls... Senator Sextus and... Senator Lex."