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Post by Jason on Mar 26, 2007 21:02:20 GMT -5
Jason stood before the temple of Ares, examining it with the detached near disdain of an Athenian. He combed his fingers through shoulderlength black hair and sighed; with a dark look up at the temple, the Greek man sat on the steps-well, sprawled was more like. To think. Ares. He'd seen the bloodcrazed statue, smelled the sacrifices - oxen and sheep and cow. These Spartans were madmen. They were not thinkers; they simply ran into everything headfirst with no conception of logic or planning or survival. And now they thought to stand alone against Xerxes?
It was utter insanity. Jason bowed his head, studying the steps in front of him. He missed his son, missed Athens - and did not want to be here. He didn't want anything to do with this war, but unfortunately Xerxes wasn't going to give Athens a choice.
"Athena be with us. Calm the blood of your brother's children" he said under his breath, well aware of the blasphemy of praying to her at Ares' shrine. He closed his eyes for a moment, and enjoyed the silence.
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Post by Paris on Mar 27, 2007 0:34:11 GMT -5
"Ooh," the word escaped the pretty boys lips on reflex. He had forgotten where he was. He was certain that the man who had captured his attentions was an Athenian. The line of his body as he reclined...it just screamed! Athens. Paris was so relieved that he had found a fellow Greek, not yet another of these barbarians, that he forgot himself and all composure.
He had journeyed here upon his return from the Persian capital. He knew that Xerxes would come here next knowing that if Sparta fell the rest of Greece would be his as well. Well, Paris thought practically, the rest of the world already is...at least anyplace worth seeing. He moved with confidence toward the fellow Athenian, his eyes falling on him with clear approval that it was pointless to deny. He couldn't be sure but he thought perhaps the man was praying.
He'd pray too for a chance to roll with THAT. He took in a well earned breath of fresh air and released it in a well practiced hmmph. He glanced over at the Temple beyond them in an attempt to ignore that he wasn't getting the adoration he had hoped for. Such times called for drastic measures.
He tilted his lightly powdered and batted his eyes, "I'm lost. I think I took a wrong turn at Corinth."
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Post by Caelestius on Mar 29, 2007 3:23:35 GMT -5
Caelestius, a Spartan, a true holder of the Spartan Law. He was not pleased with what he saw, truly, Athenians inside of Sparta? Without the causing of an uproar? They speak of Athena, in Ares' shrine.... It was a good thing that he had not brung his weapons, for if he actually had, he would have an itch to draw it out. He decided to currently ignore those two, and instead, relieve the itch that disturbed his back instead.
Walking over he the offering's pot. The dropped down several slabs of cooked meat into the pot, normally he would prefer it lightly cooked, but since it was an offering, he had cooked it as best he could, which still would not be the best feast of the gods. The large Spartan, began to mind his own business, passing a adrogynous man (Femme-like Male, Or Paris xD) stopping, and coughed out the slight waft of perfume. It was a shrine of course, and no violence was permitted within the shrine. But it still stung his mind, the man had dishonored Ares.
The obvious difference between Athenians and Spartans were that, Athenians lived a luxury life that Spartans did not. Butt Caelestius could spot a Athenian any day. He turned back, his anger slightly upped than before.
"Athenian... please be aware that blasphemy in Ares' shrine, within Spartan walls, will get you killed. "
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Post by Paris on Mar 29, 2007 7:22:49 GMT -5
To say that Paris was a typical Athenian was not completely accurate. While he was an Athenian and espoused the decadence those in his affluent circle demanded life to offer them, he was far from ordinary. He carried himself with a level of pre-destined arrogance and self-importance that was off putting to those who failed to see the light. As was the fashion, he chose to live his life in such a way that enabled him to enjoy as much as possible, doubling his chances for sensuality and relaxation, so to speak. The fact that he was a WORLD FAMOUS ACTOR...only partially affected him.
Had someone walked past him in any other city in the world and coughed, he would have snapped his head around and cut them to the quick. But this was Sparta! He held his tongue, but just barely, his expression bringing him near to tears. But not quite...it was more effective that way! He was beginning to expect being treated badly. He had been accosted several times since coming home to Greece. The looks alone had been horrendous and cruel. He couldn't understand why...maybe it was the Persian perfume.
But that shouldn't matter at all!
Wasn't life to be about pleasure and beauty and art and frivolity and creative freedoms? YES! He answered his own question, a round of all too familiar applause inside his head. The trip to the Persian capital had affected him more than he would ever admit. He was teetering very near the point of indignant rage now. He hated feeling so! It made his otherwise flawless skin blotchy.
"Athenian... please be aware that blasphemy in Ares' shrine, within Spartan walls, will get you killed."
He was aware of the large Spartan behind him. He was used to extremely tall men at his back now, he knew the feeling well. He glanced at the other Athenian, must be the strong silent type...
Very well, if he was going to die, then he might as well do it with style, "I am a free Greek, sir. I come and go as I please. Though admittedly...I seem to be unable to find a safe harbor...even within Spartan walls!" He was on a roll now, the dramaturgy spilling forth from his pretty mouth with growing fervor as the thrill of oration overtook him, "Are Athens and Sparta not now united, if not in deed but in spirit at least? Hmmm?"
He raised a sculpted brow, pausing for effect before continuing bravely with the force of a Roman Senator asking for more clean towels in the public baths, "You cut me to the bone, sir! Your cruelty is senseless indeed! For we Athenians know blasphemy when we see it! Can't we all just get along!? The Persian Xerxes approaches...does no one else recognize how frightening that is?"
So, granted he had more first hand knowledge of that fact than anyone else here, but that was completely beside the point. He looked to the large Spartan and back to the reclining Athenian. Could he expect any support in this? He had no idea if his words had touched them. He felt better though, and that was enough for now.
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Post by Caelestius on Mar 29, 2007 8:26:52 GMT -5
(lol wtf xD. Before I go any further, I was directing the blasphemy part to Jason, not to Paris. But maybe he's just over dramatical. Hold on a sec, I'll use this post as an RP Template.)
EDIT: WOO!!! Time to post!
The Spartan chortled at the man, The over dramatical and slightly loony man. Although the Spartan's sentence of speech may have confused the Athenian, he speaks like that nonetheless, it is inevitable, the man was blind with honor. He did not mind the presence of Athenians, but to talk about Athena in Ares' temple is something a Spartan should never do, lest they be executed. Ares, was the God of War, Spartans thrive on war and for that, they thank mainly two gods, Hercules and Ares. These two were the most sacred to them, and if any bastard attempted to insult them, even a non Athenian, Sparta would twitch to be at their throats. This time, even though unrealistic, Caelestius did not do anything. Even if he was a man of pure honor.
"Athenian, I guessed you were one, because of stereotypical views of Spartans. If you have ever taken up a sword, and told to fight and live for it. You would know why we value Ares over Athena. That is why he," He pointed to the man that was talking of Athena in Ares halls, " has done what would have been a crime now tolerated because of Xerxes. If I were to offer Athena the dead carcass of a goat in Athens, I would probably be dead, In Sparta, the same rules apply to Ares. If I wanted to kill you, I would have done so by now. But no, it is true that Persia is what we are fighting against, and a simple insult must be tolerated to secure bonds."
Caelestius Paused.
"You speak of fear, as if Spartans know what that is however. We are trained not to show emotion, we are simply a mechanism of battle nothing thrives us more than a challenge. That is why all Spartans, are madmen." Although he says this in negative light, he says this with a proud voice, a true Spartan holds up his ego to anyone, " How can you help this war, Athenian?"
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Post by Jason on Mar 29, 2007 17:36:48 GMT -5
(  Paris. Wow. Dude, I was lmao at that post. Reeeally makes us Athenians look good  ) He was so engrossed in thought, Jason at first didn't notice the other Athenian. But he sort of could not ignore it as the boy's voice rang out. Jason looked up, and inwardly groaned. It was an actor. They were, by far, the most self indulged Athenians, and ridiculously wellpaid...admired by some, mocked by many-this was the face of Athens! This! Great. He didn't say anything for a long moment. It was almost a blessing to see the Spartan approach, though Jason narrowed his eyes and stood up at the words. The other Athenian took the liberty of responding, and Jason nearly buried his head in his hands. Athena, please. How embarrassing. In front of a Spartan, no less! "It is not blasphemy to pray for a battle without madness," he retorted stiffly, when gestured to again. "We pride our minds over our brute force-that is what we off. Perhaps if you did, we could have reached some sort of agreement with the Persians." Though the Spartans would possibly offend everyone humanly possible! That's how they were! Savages. |
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Post by Paris on Mar 29, 2007 19:59:33 GMT -5
((OOC: Thanks! Well, I try. LOL))
((OOC, Part two: Taking liberty with 'portions of Paris' recent past' {especially in regard to Xerxes} in an effort to build the character, I'll edit if need be.))
Paris was oblivious to the attitudes of the men around him. His mind was busy trying to think of more he could say to express his peculiar brand of Athenian wisdom. He was quite sure that he could talk sense into these Spartans, if they would only listen to logic. He was worried about Greece. He had seen Xerxes personal army and knew that there were nations more where those came from. There was absolutely no way that such a small city state like Sparta could stand against the Persian God-King.
The Spartans were great-looking but they were savages, not nearly as advanced as Xerxes' grand schemes. Xerxes was a God, these Greeks, though he loved his own country...these Greeks were merely men. And quite fond of dying. Paris reminded himself sadly that Xerxes would likely oblige them such a wish. Paris had never been political, but he knew power. Had felt power. Xerxes would not be denied.
He'd been appalled by the visions at Corinth. In fact he was still shaken by what he had seen. He didn't want that to happen to all of Greece. And it would, unless he could find someone here to accept logic and reason.
His thoughts were distracted from the depths of hell as Jason stood. He couldn't help looking at the man. His friends in the theatre may have been right, maybe he should have 'married' a nice Greek boy...or at least fallen for one. Paris couldn't help that he was fond of more. That he wanted more. He had fallen for a God among men. The God King himself...such a glorious man. He accepted his choice but it didn't make times like this any easier. As he listened to the Spartan and his fellow Athenian discuss the fine points of war, Paris finally said, "You speak of blasphemy. You speak of war. All war is madness, can't you see that? I fear that before this ends blood will stain our cities. Children will lose their fathers. We need to put an end to this now...before it is too late."
Paris felt sick to his stomach. An all too human response, he reminded himself. He had been honest. He could not see this ending well. Not at all. He smiled then, putting on the show once again, "Tell me Spartan? How far must I go to find a market? I am in search of souvenirs."
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Post by Caelestius on Mar 30, 2007 2:42:28 GMT -5
Ares, My lord, forgive me for not being able to defend your repute.
Caelestius twitched at the man's (Jason) comments. His fist had naturally become a fist from frustration, or anger. Although he showed none. "If you wish to pray to Athena, do it at her shrine, do not try so in an Ares Shrine. The shrine, is for Ares. Not for Athena, that is why we have different shrines Athenian."
"We pride our minds over our brute force-that is what we off. Perhaps if you did, we could have reached some sort of agreement with the Persians."
"So, you think that if we met some sort of agreement to Xerxes, would he not wipe us of our gods? Break down all the statues that we built, replace them with statues of Xerxes?" Caelestius grunted, "Athenian, I am not logical. I am a mechanism of war, that is all. From a very young age, we were trained to be tools of destruction. If I were you, I would stop bantering about logic, we know we have none. For glory is all we care about, understand that."
He then turned to the actor.
"As for you, the only souvenirs you will find here, are the collection of souvenirs from our enemies, you go up to any Spartan soldier and buy from them. For another thing, under the rule of Xerxes, people will still lose their fathers, and children will still die. Sparta will crumble, we know, but we will create havoc before it all ends."
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Post by wowposter on Nov 3, 2008 2:29:59 GMT -5
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