Lepidus finally came back home after a full day in the Assemblies. Tired of politics for the day, he took out his toga and went to his private baths rest and review and his personal condition. Finances were good, his plans were being fully realized and he made one or two worthy political alliances.

After the Baths, Lepidus dismissed his household slaves for the day and closed himself in his private library, where he scratched a few notes on the paper and took a book of Thucydides to read aloud to himself, as he always used to do to relax before his sleep. He was then interrupted by a knock on his door. “Enter”, he answered and faced himself with Iulius Curius Marcellus, his loyal advisor and lawyer.

“You know, Lepidus, I bring news to you…!” – Curius tried to sound smart, his face on an enigmatic smile that intrigued Lepidus – “What kind of news?” – Lepidus rebuffed. “Simple, I have just heard that one Senator, L. Caecillius Metellus Dalmaticus, just died".

Lepidus became further impatient and merely replied what the hell of a relation did it have with his life. He took distance from the Senate after his quarrel with the Censors, and suspected that only his Equestrian links intimidated the Censors simply not to expel him. “Good luck that my family is Eques” – he said to himself once – “those men of the Senatorial Class get all fancy when they talk about their fathers and grandfathers and the like but when the Equites intervene they kiss our sandals like Slaves for our money. But now he faced Curius again and asked him the question again.

“Oh it’s simple, Lepidus. The deceased Senator was also Plebeian Pontiff; this means there is one vacant spot in their College.”

“I’m NOT going to run for this nonsense, Curius. Good try but no!” – Lepidus was losing his patience quickly and would not tolerate Curius any longer – “But dear Lepidus, it’s your chance! I will hire a priest to teach you the essentials tomorrow morning, and you will go to the College of Pontiffs try to make a good impression for yourself and get elected.”

“What is my gain with that, Curius? What? Am I going to wear a funny hat all the day and stare at people making strange sounds while waving my decrepit wooden cane? Is that what you want, Curius?”

“No, it’s more important than that… It’s always good to stay in touch with the Gods, besides you will earn a bit more respect to your character! More than now, of course.” – Curius tried to be diplomatic – “What? I don’t care for what the others think. And if I want to be closer to the Gods, I will give the Temples money or the likes. Don’t bother me further, Curius.”

After half an hour of debate, Curius’ lawyer mindset finally convinced Lepidus to learn his basic religion course. In the following morning, a bearded figure came to his house and told him the basics; Lepidus couldn’t stand him, but certainly the fruits would be good. Later in the day, he sent a request to the College of Pontiffs demonstrating his interest to run for the recently vacant position and showing some of his fresh new knowledge of such matters.

==============================
==============================

OOC: Gaius Licinius Lepidus announces his intention to run for the vacant position of Plebeian Pontiff left by Caecillius Metellus Dalmaticus.