Leonardo da Vinci (
howexciting) wrote in
synopsychic2016-05-11 04:51 pm
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[Jaunt-Locked] Where's Gregory Peck when you need him
[The first part of Leonardo's broadcast seems to be a misfire, in only that it is quiet and almost disbelieving.]
Non รจ possible... this is... home? Italia...?
We are in the Kingdom of Naples... no, that is back in my time, this is Campania felix... Dio mio, we're in Stabiae--
[There is silence for a good fifteen minutes, as Leonardo prepares and questions the populace. Then, he finally comes on the Network.]
For anyone who is listening, I have some good news. And some bad news. The good news is that I have located our exact location in space and time. We are in Stabiae, an ancient Roman resort which Pliny the Elder described in detail in his records. The year, at least according to the gossip of Emperor Nero's daughter, Claudia Augusta, and her recent death, and the recent appointment of Titus Vespasian as the governor of Africa Proconsularis, indicate that this is the Year of Our Lord 63.
The bad news is that in sixteen years, this place will be completely destroyed with ash, much like the city just five miles north of here, Pompeii. In fact this entire region will be flooded with molten earth and ash, and be consumed entirely. Further, Emperor Nero is on the throne, according to The Natural History, as written by Pliny the Elder... and I am sure you have heard of the stories of Emperor Nero.
I will be referring to myself during this Jaunt as Leontius Florentinus Vincio. Just Leontius will do, if you see me, but it is the best translation of my name I could come up with on short notice. If you require names to blend in, please, let me know and I will do my best to translate... or transliterate your names, should it be impossible. They usually come in three names, though sometimes two in women's cases, that being her name and the name of her husband. But it can be more or less depending on one's epic deeds or acts of heroism, or simply their fame throughout the Empire.
Further, a few points of advice on etiquette. Men are expected to wear togas. [He briefly livestreams a picture of himself in a toga and traditional sandals.] Ladies, do not wear a toga, like the men, unless you would like to be mistaken for a prostitute. Instead, find or make a stola. [He briefly livestreams a random gaggle of women walking past, each one wearing pretty stolas and giggling amongst themselves.]
Secondly, if you are to claim family ties, keep in mind which one is the eldest male in your "family". If you are a father, grandfather, or sometimes an elder brother or elder cousin - you are in charge, and you are expected to be obeyed no matter what. Younger brothers might or might not, depending upon the will of the deceased father, but... it is best if you choose your family ties wisely. If you argue in public, people will grow suspicious, or they will believe you are uncivilized and will try not to speak to you. Obviously, this would be difficult to further our investigation.
It is probably best to claim that you are from distant parts of the Empire if your native homeland is from outside Ancient Rome's bounds. Perhaps you can claim you are traders from distant lands, but you will not be treated as Roman citizens, that way. Many of the outer provinces were treated lesser than the inner provinces. Still, it is worth a try, to maintain appearances and keep our illusion going.
If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to ask me, but try not to come to me in person. I wish to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
Non รจ possible... this is... home? Italia...?
We are in the Kingdom of Naples... no, that is back in my time, this is Campania felix... Dio mio, we're in Stabiae--
[There is silence for a good fifteen minutes, as Leonardo prepares and questions the populace. Then, he finally comes on the Network.]
For anyone who is listening, I have some good news. And some bad news. The good news is that I have located our exact location in space and time. We are in Stabiae, an ancient Roman resort which Pliny the Elder described in detail in his records. The year, at least according to the gossip of Emperor Nero's daughter, Claudia Augusta, and her recent death, and the recent appointment of Titus Vespasian as the governor of Africa Proconsularis, indicate that this is the Year of Our Lord 63.
The bad news is that in sixteen years, this place will be completely destroyed with ash, much like the city just five miles north of here, Pompeii. In fact this entire region will be flooded with molten earth and ash, and be consumed entirely. Further, Emperor Nero is on the throne, according to The Natural History, as written by Pliny the Elder... and I am sure you have heard of the stories of Emperor Nero.
I will be referring to myself during this Jaunt as Leontius Florentinus Vincio. Just Leontius will do, if you see me, but it is the best translation of my name I could come up with on short notice. If you require names to blend in, please, let me know and I will do my best to translate... or transliterate your names, should it be impossible. They usually come in three names, though sometimes two in women's cases, that being her name and the name of her husband. But it can be more or less depending on one's epic deeds or acts of heroism, or simply their fame throughout the Empire.
Further, a few points of advice on etiquette. Men are expected to wear togas. [He briefly livestreams a picture of himself in a toga and traditional sandals.] Ladies, do not wear a toga, like the men, unless you would like to be mistaken for a prostitute. Instead, find or make a stola. [He briefly livestreams a random gaggle of women walking past, each one wearing pretty stolas and giggling amongst themselves.]
Secondly, if you are to claim family ties, keep in mind which one is the eldest male in your "family". If you are a father, grandfather, or sometimes an elder brother or elder cousin - you are in charge, and you are expected to be obeyed no matter what. Younger brothers might or might not, depending upon the will of the deceased father, but... it is best if you choose your family ties wisely. If you argue in public, people will grow suspicious, or they will believe you are uncivilized and will try not to speak to you. Obviously, this would be difficult to further our investigation.
It is probably best to claim that you are from distant parts of the Empire if your native homeland is from outside Ancient Rome's bounds. Perhaps you can claim you are traders from distant lands, but you will not be treated as Roman citizens, that way. Many of the outer provinces were treated lesser than the inner provinces. Still, it is worth a try, to maintain appearances and keep our illusion going.
If you have any specific questions, please do not hesitate to ask me, but try not to come to me in person. I wish to remain as inconspicuous as possible.
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[I mean, he's happy to be home, but... what's so good about this situation for Tick-Tock?]
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CALIGULA AND NERO WERE PURPORTEDLY GIANT FUCKWADS: THE POST
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cw: historical suicide mention
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It seems I will need a crash course on womanhood, as I find myself stuck in my original form.
[She seems exasperated.]
I also find myself wishing that my history teacher cared about Rome. If we were in Egypt, I might have a slight advantage.
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[Leo's trying to call her hot, is the point here.]
Domestic achievements were honored perhaps moreso than others, for a woman, naturalmente. Patria Potestas was still very much in effect, in these days. But that does not mean you must play the role of a housewife.
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One, I was dropped in dressed as a performer. Do you think they know enough about very distant places during this era to call my bluff when I say this is how they play music there? [He's very used to being told that Western viewers "won't get it," but that's also been proven horrendously wrong.]
Two, if I were to get a Roman name, do you know any involving "pine," maybe?
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[He sensory livestreams for just a moment, playing a bit of traditional Roman music on a lyre.]
Perhaps Silvius? It means "forest". Or simply Pinus, which means "fir", however... the English speakers amongst us might laugh.
[Because. You know. It sounds like penis.]
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...What's the locals' opinion on magic?
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Or, they believe in it, but not in the kids we do.
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... and furthermore, it would change my world's history if we did, so it is perhaps not wise.
As for magic... Ancient Romans were extremely superstitious, but we mere humans were not gifted with such powers from the gods. You might, perhaps, claim yourself to be a street magician, should you forget, but I would do my best not to forget, anyway.
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Is it wrong that I actually feel kind of...excited this round? Because, right now, I do.
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[His voice is quiet and curious, before turning grave.]
It's not wrong, as long as you don't get careless. It's a rare jaunt that isn't dangerous in some form or another.
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[Private]
[This next part is private to her, and only her.]
Carina... I'm home. True, not in my time, but... I... I never thought I would see Italy again. Dio...
[He's speaking psychically, so he does not sound it, but it feels as if he's tearing up on his end.]
... I'm speechless.
[private]
Private forever
Private forever
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It's against my programming to impersonate a deity
Come on, we were all thinking it.
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Translations for italics in hovertext, if needed
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... it is my pleasure.
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... perhaps you could say you became a freedwoman, and Romanize your name? Then your name could be something such as Rufina Nixia without anyone batting an eye. You would have taken Rufina as your new "given" name, of course, but you could still address yourself as Nixia.
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Quick question: how long do these jaunts usually last? Are we talking weeks? Months? [We're not talking sixteen years, right?]
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Umm... I'm pretty sure Stephanie is Greek? Probably? Is that okay, or should I maybe start trying to figure out something else to call myself?
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[He breaks off, disgusted and not able to continue the thought there. Though another one occurs and the irony involved there is incredibly amusing.]
As far as names, my given one is Apollon. I highly doubt that will amuse most of them in direct translation, will it? But...when I was little, Papa nicknamed me Paul. Perhaps...
I think that Paulus is more common as a family name or in direct transation, as the lesser? But there have been several Pauls among the popes, no?
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[If it were up to him, all these people would be free. But the last time he freed wretched souls... it cost him a potential friend, it cost him his dignity and respect among the other Travelers, and it cost him any chance of forgiveness for his actions. He cannot directly free these people.
... but indirectly. Indirectly, perhaps...]
[Start Private]
[Leonardo switches to a private mental connection, just briefly.]
At least they all have a chance of becoming freedmen. True, it is not the same as being a citizen of Rome, but it is better than slavery. We could gain some money. We could buy slaves, in bulk, and then set them free. Give them a stipend so that they might make a life for themselves. We would just have to be careful not to flood the market with too much of the same coin, and we could do it.
[It will not stop the volcano. This much is true. But it will hopefully better the world, one small step at a time.]
[End Private]
Much like madonna Minerva, you could claim to be a priest of Apollo, if you used it as a cognomen, or even an agnomen if you are feeling particularly ambitious.
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Private forever
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[But okay, required grumping about the assumption that everyone's from similar worlds aside, there's actually some important stuff here.]
Do we have to go by different names?
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Indeed. Sabetha has asked me the same question. I will be happy to offer you a full synopsis of his reign, if you wish.
If you do not go by a different name, there is a chance we will be recognized as spies or imposters. And seeing as we have been returning to worlds we have been to once of twice before... it will help our chances in the future. I will be more than happy to transliterate your name, if you would like, so that your name is not dissimilar to your given name.
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Emperor?
[The concept still eludes her somewhat, even though she thinks she remembers the last world they'd been to having one as well.]
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