Marathon With Books (OPEN)

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Noah was blear-eyed, but he had to do this. The exam was in January. It was the end of November. He had gotten off work late and came home to Jill already asleep, so he gathered his books and went to the forum, where a few streetlights were all he had. He just needed fresh air. He had left a note for her in case she did wake up. He just might pull an all-nighter. No work tomorrow, so why not. He had to be ready. He sat on the cobblestones and leaned against the edge of the fountain wall and set his bag against his side on the ground. So much to do. And it was cold too. The cobblestones below and the fountain behind sent chills into his skin. The breeze rustled his shoulder-length hair. Even the joint in his shoulder felt off, as the cool was chilling his metallic arm, so where it was melded to flesh, it was a smidge uncomfortable. He pulled his jacket closer and zipped it right up to his neck.

Out came a heavy tome about law, specifically written by the longest-serving leader New Rome had ever known. No, not Stone. A man who served in the Legion as centurion, then praetor, then Senator, then Speaker…starting the last few years of the Civil War and ending almost 50 years later, when he stepped down from office to spend time with his grandkids more. An honorable man. Some say he had the blessing of Honos himself. He never mentioned his lineage, though. That was the odd thing. Either he was humble, or simply did not come from hugely significant background. Noah liked to think that maybe the man had been a relative of his. Wouldn’t that be something?

Back on target. He flipped his hood up to keep the wind off, making him look something of a homeless person who liked books. Which, in New Rome, was unheard of. That was a great things about this city: there were absolutely no homeless. There were orphans, but the orphanage was hardly bigger than an American suburbian ranch house. Romans took care of each other. They were a community. And he wanted to be a part of it. So he cracked open his book – and a bag of Fritos for sustenance – and got to work.

TAG: @ OPEN
WORDS: 390
NOTES:

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This was kind of a problem. Ronan was milling about the market place, looking at all the different stalls. Everything from the smells to the brightly colored things, they really piques his interest. The air was getting to be a bit cold out but with his tempreature, he was fairly comfortable in cooler weather, and warm weather was not much of a bother. He had spent little time in the forge where he used to spend hours on end. Now it was different. Now it was more likely to spend time behind the large Praetorian desk buried behind a massive mountain of paperwork. It was one of the most tedious things in the world, paperwork. It was the worst pain in the backside ever. Most of it was the same. One thing after another of just writing, signing his name, dealing with troublemakers. The fourth cohort had caught a thief that had been lurking around the barracks as he snatched a few things here and there. There was the mention that it didn't look much like a thief to him. The bastard was still walking after all.

Argentum clicked behind him as Ronan purchased a few things, placing it into a sack as he got a few things from different vendors. Mostly it was a few snacks for later. He hadn't quite fixed the office where he had a bunch of snacks laying around. His desk as forge overseer had a mini fridge and at least nine boxes of cereal. He hadn't brought those things back yet, however he was happy to leave them there for his siblings, Ed, Nova...anyone who wanted it. Maybe he could get a bit fruit bowl and fill it up with his favorite fruits. There was a happy bark as Argentum chased after a few kids, one rolling a ball for the metallic dog. Ronan couldn't help but laugh as he walked along towards the fountain. The dog came to a stop as he stood there and sniffed at the guy with the massive law book.

Words: 343
notes: hope it's okay
Tags: Noah Rearch

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Noah’s entrance exam was February 5. He had to buckle down. He just had to. If he didn’t past his test, where would he be? No where he wanted to be, that was for sure. He wanted to be a lawyer and lawyers needed schooling. Then there was the fact that Jill was dead set on starting a family. It was all just too much. She expected him to work and go to school, all the while somehow keeping food on the table and doing his share? It was ridiculous! He glared at his textbook, not sure where his anger was directed, only knowing that there was a lot of it. He grabbed a handful of Fritos and crunched them up on his fist and threw them out on the cobblestones in anger. A few brave birds came over and went to town on it. He sighed as he watched them. They had it so easy. No school, no jobs, freaking handouts of food.

He looked back to his school book, though all the fight was out of him. His glossy eyes scanned the page, but he wasn’t really reading it. It was just kind of there. He was just kind of there. The world was just kind of there.

Which was probably why he looked so startled when a metallic dog started sniffing at him. Frankly, the look on his face probably gave the appearance he’d never seen a dog before. Recognition dawned slowly. Ah, one of the praetorial guard dogs. Wait, that meant. He looked up. Ronan, he knew the name, so there was that. Guy had a reputation in the forges, but he hadn’t heard much about the principia seeing as he was no longer in service. He wasn’t sure how he was supposed to address this. He, in all honesty, wasn’t under the praetors anymore. He wasn’t a legionnaire. So he awkwardly nodded to at least show he respected the guy. Power didn’t intimidate Noah. Never had. So really it was just the fact that this guy at least used to be a whiz in the forge that got Noah’s respect. “How do?” Yup, he was awkward.

TAG: @ronan
WORDS: 361
NOTES: Sorry it took so long

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There was something about the birds, the sound of the kids laughing, the sound of the water trickling and splashing into the fountain basin that made Ronan smile. The sounds and sights of the city that he was here in, something about all of the hustle and bustle that made him feel a bit more at ease. He let out a bit of a small sigh of contentment, even though he couldn't wait to retire and make his own way in the city, he still had an obligation to fulfill. There were some days that the purple pratorian cloak hung a bit heavier than usual. Other days it was something that lifted him up and gave him purpose. The days that it felt heavier were the strenuous days that had a bit more trouble than they did good, but the good days, the days where he felt like he was living up to the expectations, they were becoming more and more frequent. There was something that now he had gotten into the swing of things, things were going a bit more smooth. Today was an off day, later on he was going to be observing the third cohort and their training out on the field of Mars this afternoon.

"Argentum." Ronan said in his usualy deep voice as the dog continued to sniff at the hand of Mr. Book. The dog lifted his head and sat down on his metal haunches before tilting his head to the side to look from the praetor to the other male. The other male addressed him in an awkward manner, which had this been previously in Ronan's Roman career, he probably would have made a similar sound of lacking words and possible distress at being addressed by someone in command or a stranger. "Hey, Name's Ronan. That's Argentum. Sorry if he's bothering you with your studies." Ronan said as he offered up a large hand to shake.

Words: 324
Tags: Noah Rearch
Notes: sorry it took so long to reply

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Yup, this was Ronan, seeing as he just identified himself. And Argentum. He hadn’t known the dogs had names. Argentum. Literally silver. He looked to the glistening silver animal and had to give it to its creator: great workmanship, but horrible naming skills. He’d hate to see his or her children’s names. Male One, Female One. Let’s hope those kids changed their names. He chuckled, then looked back up and shrugged, which was odd looking since his arms were not both flesh. “No need to apologize, Mr. Ronan.” He looked to the outreached hand and was thankful this man was apparently right-handed, as it put Noah in a position where he could use his flesh hand and not have to worry. He smiled and leaned up and shook the offered hand from where he was seated. “Noah.”

He slid his bookmark into the book and closed it with a gentle but audible thud. “So how’s praetor life? As I recall, you’re recent to it.” He wasn’t sure how recent though. Post retirement, that’s all he knew. Yeah, all he knew was the forge king days. He had heard enough then to know Ronan was skilled and kind, if a bit awkward. He vaguely wondered how he got into the principia and how he might like or dislike the change. Well, if nothing else, the cape suited him decently.

Noah looked down at his book: Roman Law Through the Millenia. He didn’t want to think of how long and deep it was. He just wanted to think about how he’d master it and become a great lawyer. Yes, he sure would.

TAG: @ronan
WORDS: 270
NOTES: