Election year. Never a good thing.

link

Note: With thanks to Tony's mun. Part of a longer piece of work I've got in script format.

It wasn’t to say that Vorenus didn’t trust Tony Stark. The man was a powerful member of the community with untold power and respect. Everyone knew that once the man had gave his word on any matter, it was unlikely that he would change his mind.

The problem was that Tony Stark was also a mafia don and that his word usually related to ordering deaths, planning to fuck any number of people over and generally being the biggest, nastiest bastard that one might come across.

So really, he had to wonder why he was standing in the middle of an abandoned warehouse, face to face with the don discussing matters of a top secret investigation ( that not even the police commissioner himself knew about.  )

Word count: 1469

In my attempt to get into giving Vorenus some actual serious consideration as a muse, I'll be working with some of his actual canon and such. This is a first for me (I've never written a fandom muse before) so please bear with me and feel free to leave as much concrit as you'd like. And yes, I've been reading too much Terry Prachett.

Some time in the second century of the common era, the traditional system of pagan belief in regards to the gods was overwritten by a man name Ptolemy. According to Ptolemy’s universe, there was no longer simply earth with the gods above and the gods below. Rather the gods existed beyond the stars and to reach them all manner of rituals would have to be employed to break beyond the sub-lunar realm and all of the planets and then the stars themselves. Ptolemy also focused on the role of fate in his writings, emphasizing the idea that fate or fortune or whatever you’d like to call her (and it was most certainly a her, because men couldn’t possibly be that cruel and capricious) was the driving force behind all events, rather than the gods.

And while Lucius Vorenus might have been born two hundred years too early to know of Ptolemy’s world view, there was no denying that he would have agreed one hundred percent with the man’s assessment of fortune and its role in human lives.

( Really, where to begin on the number of ways that fate has fucked him every which way over the years? )

Lucius Vorenus | HBO's Rome
Word count: 770
Warning: Contains MAJOR SPOILERS for seasons 1 and 2.

It has been some time since I sat down and paid this journal any attention, but lately a few circumstances have brought me back to my favourite grumpy Roman - least of all reasons being that it's been about a year since I got into Rome's fandom and I'm still utterly endeared to the entire story.

That being said, for the time being I'm actually going to concentrate on Vorenus. He has always been one of the few fictional characters I've identified with on a personal level (long story there) and the only muse I write with any level of frequency that isn't my own creation. I'm fond of him, and he deserves a lot more attention from me. So, here's what's going on with him from now until say, 31 August.

sixwordstories: I'm still really not hanging out here, although I think there's a few people I met there I need to re-establish contact with. I really, really loved having other characters from Vorenus' canon to interact with, and the individuals involved were always brilliant.
dear_mun: Pretty much on the down low there. He only gets to bitch a little bit lately.
unter_allen: I'm a little stuck here. On one hand, most of the characters there that Vorenus had strong relationships with have departed, making it a bit hard for me to really bring him into any sort of view. On the other, there are one or two muns who expressed interest in interacting with him, and I don't wish to disapoint.
unter_allen mafiaverse: This is also a problem. Out of all the places I'm involved, this is probably the place I love playing around in most - I've done a lot of collaborative world building here that I am just flat out proud of, and I'd like to do more when circumstance allows (which, at the rate that I've bollocked it up, may be never.) Vorenus in this verse certainly has more stories to tell, and they're far more plot driven than most of my introspective character pieces. I'm scripting one piece now that I need to call in for help with (and go watch more of 'The Wire' for too) and there's another short bit that I need to ask nottheherotype's mun for permission to use Tony. A lot of my own actions have compromised me here, which ashames me greatly, but so long as I have stories about this verse, they will be written.

I'm looking to work with Vorenus within his own canon more too, so I'm probably going to be joining over at charloft. Much reading on late republic history has been done lately anyway, so I best put it to use.

Now, as of 31 August, I'll be in Italy - Florence though, not Rome. (Certain individuals? Not amused - but I'll be going to Rome when I can!) I'll be living with a host family, and I'm not sure what my connection is going to be. I'll probably be semi-active on certain communities where it's required if I can meet standards, but everything else will be at a hault.

No LJ-cuts. Sorry. This is actually kind of important.

I'm currently not on instant messenger, so the best way of contacting me is via comments on Vorenus' journal and privately messaging me.

Agape kai bios
-Meg

Having problems adjusting to upper-class life.

Note: Can be based on V's canon or Mafia-Verse, if you'd like. 8D

Note: I blame Meg for this one. She’s got a head Atia now, and that woman is terrifying enough on her own. When we started working her into mafia verse, things clicked into place pretty quickly. The narration should provide most of the information, but we concluded that she would have married Obidah Stane and used him for her own power gain, and not be very upset after Tony’s imprisonment and her husband’s death at the hands of Suzume Stark. A death like that would actually be beneficial, as it would allow her to gain power on her own and attempt to acquire some that Tony’s arrest has left in the City. Atia is currently Meg’s and is yoinked with LOTS of love. (Mostly because I fucking love the crazy bitch.) Set in unter_allen's mafia verse

Vorenus waited quietly in the restaurant, staring at his watch. Of course the woman was late. She wouldn’t have it any other way. He wondered, briefly, what she thought the purpose of lunch was. Certainly not a friendly lunch between old acquaintances. Vorenus knew that Atia had come to the City to look at the playing field, and her mere presence was enough to prompt him to come out of retirement and resume his post as the City’s police commissioner. Tony’s arrest had created a power vacuum that neither Lucifer nor Stark’s children had quite filled, and with Obadiah Stane gone, ( Atia was free to move as she wished... )

Okay, myself and Vorenus are back on track. Something clicked last night thanks, Meg, I think the wee shenanigans with Altair helped and his voice is back on my head and grumpy as ever.

Thaaat being said. rebelhowl I believe I owe you a thread. Would you prefer it on sws or here? Lemme know.

Anyone else, I'm back to lurking as him on sws you'll see him again. Still looking for a Pullo though, hoping a friend will pick him up.

Won't be around much T-Thu until past 5 because of work, but that's to be expected.

'Til then!

Vorenus voice seems to have gone missing, so I'm taking a few days off from playing him. Sorry to everyone, especially since there's been an upswing of Rome characters lately. *facepalm* The man has impeccable timing.

1. Put your iTunes (or player of choice) on shuffle and list the first 25 songs
2. Post the songs for others to give you prompts based on the song of their choice.

What you people get to do:
3. Pick your song, say if you want your muse in it or just Vorenus and my free reign, and pick a verse: canon (and if so say when in canon), unter_allen verse or unter_allen mafia verse (and again if you want a specific point in time say when).

:3 C'mon. Challenge me.

( Songs under here. )

The First Twenty Four Hours of the Case of the Death of E. Iserath

With thanks for Kibs for assisting me with the Tamaki dialogue.

8:36 PM
You realize that working nights is the best thing for you, now a days. It allows for the perfect balance between family, work and sleep, even if the hours are slightly unorthodox for a police commissioner. It also means that you find yourself bored and lonely in your office more frequently, as you come in at 3 PM and don’t leave until around midnight. Save people working on cases and officers on the night and graveyard shifts, there’s no one else around.

There’s a d20 sitting on your desk, so you pick it up and roll it, just for your amusement. At that moment, the phone rings. You answer it, and all colour drains from your face. The caller, you think its Ledra Rattan but you can’t tell because the shock is too great and you don’t care who it is, tells you the last thing you wanted to hear tonight. Your response is automatic. That you’ll be there within ten minutes, just let you put your coat on and run out to your car.

8:53 PM
Crime scenes in the city are usually like this, of course. A body, shoved into an alleyway, in some miserable condition. Whoever finds the stiff, and it’s almost always some unfortunate bystander who does it, leaves before any cop can arrive out of fear of an assumed mafia association. ( It’s impressive, in its own sick, twisted way, how much control Tony Stark has over the city and its citizens. )

Word count: 2375

Having read Rome Season One: History Makes Television, a collection of essays about Rome, and being renewed with an intense love of the series, I felt it appropriate to sit down and write some on Vorenus as I play him.

I will begin by saying thusly: I have often been compared to Vorenus, even before I began playing as him. And while I do not have what several of my friends have termed his "allergy to fun" I do understand his severe no nonsense attitude. Ancient Rome is a topic of interest for me, and Hellenistic religion is a part of my specialization as an undergrad where I attend university.

Historically speaking, Lucius Vorenus was in the 11th legion, and is mentioned in Caesar's commentary on the Galleic Wars. Caesar writes thusly:

In that legion there were two very brave men, centurions, who were now approaching the first ranks, T. Pullo, and L. Vorenus. These used to have continual disputes between them which of them should be preferred, and every year used to contend for promotion with the utmost animosity. When the fight was going on most vigorously before the fortifications, Pullo, one of them, says, "Why do you hesitate, Vorenus? or what [better] opportunity of signalizing your valor do you seek? This very day shall decide our disputes." When he had uttered these words, he proceeds beyond the fortifications, and rushes on that part of the enemy which appeared the thickest. Nor does Vorenus remain within the rampart, but respecting the high opinion of all, follows close after. Then, when an inconsiderable space intervened, Pullo throws his javelin at the enemy, and pierces one of the multitude who was running up, and while the latter was wounded and slain, the enemy cover him with their shields, and all throw their weapons at the other and afford him no opportunity of retreating. The shield of Pullo is pierced and a javelin is fastened in his belt. This circumstance turns aside his scabbard and obstructs his right hand when attempting to draw his sword: the enemy crowd around him when [thus] embarrassed. His rival runs up to him and succors him in this emergency. Immediately the whole host turn from Pullo to him, supposing the other to be pierced through by the javelin. Vorenus rushes on briskly with his sword and carries on the combat hand to hand, and having slain one man, for a short time drove back the rest: while he urges on too eagerly, slipping into a hollow, he fell. To him, in his turn, when surrounded, Pullo brings relief; and both having slain a great number, retreat into the fortifications amid the highest applause. Fortune so dealt with both in this rivalry and conflict, that the one competitor was a succor and a safeguard to the other, nor could it be determined which of the two appeared worthy of being preferred to the other." -Source

This is all that is know about the 'historical' Vorenus. In literature, film etc. it has become common to use Pullo and Vorenus in the roles of the Roman everyman. They are special because they are mentioned in the Gallic war commentaries, one of the few regular Romans to do so, and because it allows people to work with real historical figures who clearly made an impact in their bravery that even Gaius Julius Caesar wrote about them. HBO's Rome is no different.

HBO's biography about Vorenus describes him as "dour and pragmatic man, with a tendency towards self-laceration" as well as "honorable and severe...unforgiving and pitiless when crossed." It's a brief description, and one that bears some elaboration.

I've often heard, and said myself, that Vorenus has a stick up his ass. This is very true. Vorenus is frequently stern, and shows little emotion. Season one of Rome develops him from beyond this point as he readjusts to peace time, rebuilding relationships with his family. And this is one of the huge points in his characterization, as far as I see it. Vorenus truly does love his family, but he struggles with it. Severely. This is showcased in the very beginning of season one, and especially in season two after Niobe's death. Around episodes 11 and 12 though, as Vorenus rises in rank, becoming a magistrate and then senator, something for him clicks and he begins to be more affectionate. The scene between himself, Nioboe and Vorena Major when they discuss marrying Vorena Major to a rich senator in order to demonstrate their new rich status demonstrates a certain level of love - he actually jokes with Niobe, and shows her genuine affection. The affection is hammered home in the first half of episode twelve. Again, here, the two joke and rib each other affectionately as they perform the rites to bless their fields, and even irritate the priests presiding over the ceremony as they steal several moments to kiss. It is touching, and makes his attitude in season two more heartbreaking. Niobe's death causes a fundamental change in attitude towards his family, something that he is in charge of, but also is less loving towards because of Niobe's adultery.

One thing in Vorenus' character that I enjoy touching on, and the show does give some attention to, is his faith. Religion, in the series, is shown and shown frequently. Scenes in the Vorenus household often include the altar dedicated to the household gods, and Vorenus is shown praying to Venus early on in season one in order to regain Niobe's love. (As he remarks to Pullo, if she does not love him in return he is merely "her slave.") In season two, he deliberately breaks a statue of the goddess Concord and calls himself a "Son of Dis" in order to cement his power on the Aventine Hill and gain the fear of the captains. I could wax religion all day, but my point is this: Vorenus is a religious man. The gods, in Hellenistic Rome, were in everything and everywhere. I tend to play Vorenus with a world view of the Ptolemaic cosmos, which I acknolwedge is anachronistic. However, allowing fortune a larger role in Vorenus' world view is something that adds to his religious nature. Fate is a capricious bitch, and no man knows this more than Lucius Vorenus.

These are the two aspects I focus on with Vorenus for a good reason - they are the easiest for me to write and the most apparent when I analyze his character. They are also why I do not write Vorenus in a serious manner within the series. The complexity of his character, the man he is, is simply too daunting and too towering for me to measure up to. Rome does a better job with that than I could ever aspire to, and I do not feel that I should try something that has already been done so well. Why reinvent the wheel?

This is why most of the fic posted here is mafia-verse Vorenus. I have more creative control with him there, while maintaining the key characterization. He is fascinating there as well, and the friendships between himself and Altair and especially between himself and Edgeworth are fun to write. I also enjoy exploring the working relationship he has with Damon Gant, although it hasn't developed very much. I hope to do more with it eventually.

All the same though. Lucius Vorenus is a man worth writing. He is compelling in his own right as a historical figure, a fictional character, and as the narrative fictional character of a fangirl.

Fate was a moody old bitch. Vorenus always acknowledged that in his private thoughts, whether for better or worse. It kept his life interesting, at least.

Interesting not meaning “oh that’s interesting” in the positive connotation that it was typically assigned. Interesting, in this case, indicated sharp twists and turns that he never could have anticipated and even as he thought back on them, he still couldn’t believed the events occurred at all.

But the one that he was looking at right now, staring in the eyes and fighting back a loud strain of laughter at the irony of the situation, was the fact that Suzume Stark was about to become City police commissioner.

( He couldn’t have thought of anyone better for the job, of course, which was a praise of her abilities as well as Vorenus’ own pleasant surprise. )

Pullo is dead. That much you know. His blood is on your hands in the most literal sense, because you held him while he passed into the next world. Pullo always joked that he would burry you. Watch over your wife and daughter. Make sure everything was okay, because you both knew being police officers for the City came with a short lifespan, and with your luck, you’d probably die first. He had said it as a joke. You agreed, but because you knew it was true. Pullo was the lucky one, who fate smiled upon. You were the one who was constantly pissed on.

You smile grimly at that. There’s nothing worse fate can do now. He’s gone, and you remain. The fights with Niobe, the constant fear of being killed by the mafia? They’re all nothing now. Pullo is gone.

His funeral isn’t anything special. You go, of course. Niobe and Lucilla accompany you, dressed in black. They only go because you go, though, and only care because you’ve all but shut down since his death. You don’t talk. You barely eat. You barely sleep. You simply sit on the balcony, staring at the city, lost in whatever thoughts you have. Or lack of thoughts, at this point. Niobe worries about your change in behaviour, but doesn’t say a word. There’s no point in doing so. ( It’ll go in one ear and out the other anyway.  )

Word count: 997

Vorenus was working a late shift again. He had actually become quite happy with how his hours were working out. He would work from four in the afternoon until midnight, go home and go to sleep, then wake up at nine and spend the morning and early afternoon attending to matters of family and the house.

It was ten o'clock now, and he was getting a bit bored. Best check the email again. There were a lot of messages he had missed. The subject of one in particular caught his eye, and he opened it.

To: l.vorenus@city.pd.gov
From: g.mascius@city.pd.gov
Subject: Tip

Vorenus-

Something that needs your attention. Phone call came in at 11:47AM today, tip off about Stark's location in a day's time. Down by the harbour, ten o'clock. Says that he'll only have Altair with him. Could be a hoax, could be true. Department needs your instructions on what to do.

-Mascius

He drew in his breath sharply. He should call Massius. Find out more information, then call Warren. She had been very slowly edging into Stark's inner circle, rumouredly slept with him as well (he doubted it.) Maybe she'd no.

No. There was one phone call to make first. He took out his phone and entered 37 into the speed dial. "Edgeworth?"

I don't even know anymore.

L. Vorenus says: SERIOUSLY WHAT ARE YOU DOING IMING ME
Tony Stark says: I WAS JUST BORED OKAY WANTED TO SAY HI.
L. Vorenus says: HOW ARE YOU EVEN DOING THIS
Tony Stark says: IT'S COMPLICATED BETTER IF YOU DON'T KNOW
( L. Vorenus says: YOU WENT ALL MACGUYVER WITH A PLASTIC SPORK AND SOME TOILET PAPER JUST TO IM ME DIDN'T YOU )