Rutilius Lupus leaned back against the concrete and tile in the sauna of the baths at Rome, enjoying his ample free time with a relaxing steam. He and his senatorial friends often reserved the room in the middle of the week to chat and discuss happenings in the senate. Mallius Maximus soon entered, a longtime friend and fellow pleb.

"Maximus! Glad you are here. How goes it my friend?"

"Quite well quite well. Listen, just the other day, I saw a most amusing sight. Consul FLaccus was truly FUMING over the Pontifex's order to convene the college. He's a moody one the consul. It IS the right of the Pontifex, and there HAVE been Pontifixes who were not in Rome."

"Flaccus. I agree with your character assessment. Intelligent man, but very emotional. Now Sejanus, here is a piece of work. Whenever he enters the senate I swear he is going to stab someone!"

"Hahah. He's been spending too much time with the troops. His diametric opposite is Catulus. The Princeps somehow manages to be everyone's friend and no one's enemy, have you noticed? Now that is politics."

"Indeed. And HIS diametric opposite is Paullus. I think everyone in Rome hates the man. He's brought it on himself you know. He has attacked every man in one way or another, and nearly rebelled in Hispania! Frankly I am surprised he is still alive with power."

"The Fabius name is an old one. No one wants to touch that. Who else is there to deconstruct Rutilius? Ah, Terentius our man in Gaul. He pretends to be an honest man while laying the groundwork for his own promotion. Those are dangerous men."

"Aye...aye. Faustus! Sejanus scares me, but Faustus...he is born of something wicked, just like his father. Not a good man, nor honest, he is someone who will earn a dagger in the back before long."

"Undoubtedly. Heh, how about our brave hero Aeneas?"

"Insane...absolutely insane. Why put yourself to risk like that? By the gods, its the legions that are meant to die, not the general!"

"Hahhah... *sigh* Who is left? AH, Cornelius Pola! Just a quaestor a few years ago, now quite the man. What do you think of HIM?"

"... I really have to be going, I just remembered, Livia wants to have a nice family dinner tonight. Farewell!