Bloodshed On Canvas (Cicero)

[VIRA TAM]

Vira wasn't clad in her usual armor that day, which probably made her look a bit less scary. When the Daughter of Bellona was training or battle ready, she could strike fear even in the hearts of some of Mars' offspring. She liked that too, as long as it was the kind of fear that came with respect and a show of loyalty to the Second Cohort and New Rome itself. She wanted people to know their purpose at the camp, and be reminded why they were accepted by Lupa to be part of the Twelfth Legion. But again, that was when she was in her armor and training others.

Today she was in her purple camp shirt, a pair of black jeans, and gray sneakers. She sat in front of the Field of Mars, not ready to do battle, but rather to capture the scene on canvas. Said canvas was set up, and Vira was carefully painting away, making sure each stroke of her brush counted. She always appreciated the weather at Camp Jupiter, always perfect for painting when she was able to do so. As she looked at the Field, which looked noble and strong in the sunlight, she thought of her late father. He would have loved it here.

CICERO TORQUATUS

[CICERO TORQUATUS]

The cohort was always better off when its centurions got along. It was a tried and tested theory, and Cero had seen cohorts fall apart when there was miscommunication or discord between its leaders. He and Vira had always put in the effort to ensure that their cohort was well-trained, and excelled both on the battlefield and demonstrating the everyday virtues of Rome. The Second had a reputation to maintain, after all. And that meant that even outside of the arena, its centurions spent time together to better understand and work with each other.

It helped that they were both artistic, in that sense. The canvas wasn’t Cicero’s typical medium of choice (he preferred to sketch with his pencils) but it was worth the extra effort to figure out watercolors. And he had always been a fast learner, anyway. The two had set up on the Field of Mars, and Cero carefully watched Vira’s precise brushstrokes for a minute before he turned to his own canvas and copied the movements. His canvas wasn’t going to be a masterpiece, but he wouldn’t embarrass himself in front of his coworker.

Cero painted in silence for a few more minutes before glancing at Vira. Her expression was inscrutable, as it always was, and it was impossible to read her face. When he spoke, it wasn’t with the typical grave tone he used for legion business, but instead the more relaxed posture he preferred when he was off-duty. He thought he could start off with something easy. “My mother has a watercolor of the Principia hanging at home. Apparently there’s an unfinished one of Minerva’s temple somewhere. She says some things about the legion are impossible to capture in a single moment.”

VIRA TAM

[VIRA TAM]

Vira was glad she had her co-Centurion with her, and that Cicero was one who enjoyed painting as well. It was nice to spend time with her colleague and friend away from training the rest of the Cohort. Even for a Daughter of Bellona, life was about more than battle. Sometimes one had to embrace one's creative side, and Vira had always had a love for painting.

When Cero spoke to her, Vira turned to look at him and his progress so far. Vira couldn't really sat that he did his art along the same lines as her, but that was okay. Everyone was different and had their own style. That was art. She was anxious to see his finished product.

"I've heard this as well," she said, regarding what Cero's mother had said about the legion. "Sometimes an unfinished work can tell just as interesting a story as a finished one. It can make one think, wonder how it would look, what story it would tell if it were complete, and if that story would be vastly different." Vira stopped and mixed her paint before she looked at Cero and gave him a small smile. She didn't smile at a lot of people. "I'm glad you were able to join me today. This is nice."
CICERO TORQUATUS

[CICERO TORQUATUS]

It was nice to see Vira in a social context, where they could just talk. His fellow centurion lived and breathed the legion in a different way than Cicero did. He valued his time at Camp Jupiter, but he took (sometimes painful) measures to carve out his own time away from the cohort. It was important to him, that he could find the time to sort out his thoughts privately before presenting a composed front. Vira was a dedicated soldier, and as a daughter of Bellona she could be intimidating. She certainly set a high standard for him to meet in upholding her duties to the Second.

So he returned her smile with a subdued one of his own before analyzing his canvas again. He valued every nugget of wisdom his mother shared with him, and it made him happy to share it with others. “I’m glad as well. It’s difficult to find an appreciation for the possibility that something can be beautiful in its imperfection in the legion.” It was almost a necessity to have a strict moral code here, where there was only black and white and right and wrong. The concept of something being less than it should be was unacceptable in Camp Jupiter, where every demigod that passed through was molded to become the soldier they needed to be. But he wasn’t complaining. They were upholding an important system of traditions, one that had survived thousands of years and faced countless threats. Regardless of his own personal views, that meant it was a system worth preserving.

Cicero frowned as he considered his canvas, before setting down his paintbrush and picking up a slimmer one. He was always curious to learn more about his mysterious coworker and, dare he say, friend. So he remarked, “Growing up in New Rome meant there were no surprises when I joined the legion. My path was set for me a long time ago. It must have been a different experience, coming from outside…”

VIRA TAM

[VIRA TAM]

Vira liked Cero's thinking on imperfection and the beauty of it. She thought of past War Games, where people in their Cohort allowed them to be victorious, not by totally playing to their skills, but by recognizing their imperfections and using their desire to mask them as a tool for victory. Imperfection was as important as perfection. It had its place in the world and was needed, and, as Cero said, could be beautiful.

"Imperfection shows our humanity, a part of us we can't forget, We may have ancestry among the gods, but we are of this world and all its flaws, and it's good when art represents that." Vira may have been the Daughter of the Goddess of War, but she had some wise mortal relatives. Her aunt and uncle, who raised her after her father died, were very brilliant and creative and taught her many of life's important lessons.

Vira nodded about coming from outside. Despite her rising in the ranks, she would always be one who came from outside. She would always have the partial mindset of an outsider.

"I often feel I belong in two very different places. This world..." She looked off into the distance in the direction of California. "And that one. Still, I feel New Rome was where I was meant to be. My mother is highly revered here. I believe Lady Bellona was the one who directed me here." She looked over at her sword, which she always carried with her, the sword that came to her with the letter that shaped her destiny. She then looked back at Cero. "Do you ever wonder what it would be like to live out there?"

CICERO TORQUATUS

[CICERO TORQUATUS]

Cero appreciated people who took time to think about their answers before responding. It showed a respectful consideration for the topic, and it usually indicated that the person had a good head on their shoulders. So the small silences that elapsed throughout his conversations with Vira weren’t a bother so much as a sign of respect, at least following his philosophy. He nodded slowly as he mulled over the thought of their humanity. Balancing the mortal and godly influences within was always a demigod’s toughest battle. But, of course, the hardest battles yielded the sweetest rewards.

He was more interested in her answer to his last dangling statement. There could be such a marked difference between demigods and legacies sometimes, or at least those from New Rome and from outside. It usually manifested itself in small ways, and it was rarely talked about. He gave a hum of approval as she mentioned New Rome felt like where she was meant to be. “Sometimes the gods know better than we do what we need,” he said. Cero had been raised in a home that was highly respectful of the gods, so he would never criticize them out-right. But even the gods were capable of doing something right every now and then. He had a tendency to keep things positive so he added, “And whoever directed you here followed a wise course of action. You’ve been a valuable addition to the legion.” It wasn’t a lie, and it wasn’t empty praise. Cero didn’t believe in lies.

With her last question, Cero’s eyes drifted past his canvas and out towards the general horizon. His answer didn’t come immediately, although he knew it already. “Of course. An opportunity to prove oneself in the mortal world before settling down in New Rome. Isn’t that what every Roman should want?” He’d betrayed himself a little with his slip, adding the word ‘should.’ But he didn’t address it. Verbalizing his doubts about the system wasn’t the optimal way he could serve it. Cicero exhaled slowly before forcing himself to focus on his brushstrokes again. “I’ve never left New Rome or Camp Jupiter. So I don’t have complete information on whether I would be competent enough to attempt it. But there seem to be tactical advantages to understanding what life is like outside the safety of the city.”

VIRA TAM

[VIRA TAM]

Vira smiled at Cero when he said she had been valuable to the Legion. She was glad he thought so since he had been by her side as another Centurion. Vira knew she always had to prove herself to her superiors, those under her watch, and to her colleagues. Past victories and recognition only went so far. So, she was glad Cero continued to think highly of her after all this time.

"Likewise, you are valuable and I have been honored to stand alongside you," said Vira. "I know Lady Bellona not only knows what is good for me, but what is good for all of us who may find ourselves going into battle at any moment. And I know if there is war again, she will stand by our side." Vira often found herself speaking of Bellona not as a mother, but as a mentor and superior. She had never met the goddess, but she always felt that Bellona was watching her.

Vira thought a moment when Cero spoke of going into the outside world. She then had an idea.

"Who says you have to go out there alone? Perhaps one day you and I both can take a trip to my home. I can give you the dime tour as some call it."

CICERO TORQUATUS

[CICERO TORQUATUS]

The way Vira spoke about her mother was nothing new. In Rome, the gods were less parental figures than they were ones of authority, and they were spoken of with a careful reverence. Cero hadn’t noticed the same in Camp Half-Blood (although it was hard to tell, since they were just so casual about everything), but in Camp Jupiter the gods weren’t just ‘mom’ or ‘dad.’ Still, more to the point, he appreciated the mutual respect the two centurions shared. It was a form of validation that meant more than among privates, considering how close the centurions had to work together. The smile didn’t stay long on his face, however, as he began to contemplate the idea of going out into the mortal world.

He wanted it. He would never be able to verbalize how much he wanted that opportunity. The world was such a big place, and he’d never seen any of it. But the idea of leaving felt so disloyal to Rome, and it ran against the military discipline his mother had run her household with, so he shied away from even admitting it out-loud. But he let himself indulge in the idea of a trip with Vira, and that made him smile more genuinely than any of his previous ones. “I’ll remind you of that offer,” Cero teased, shifting his gaze back to Vira. “But it would be an honor to visit your home in my first trip out. My mother rarely shares details of her life before the legion, so I have many questions.” Cero let himself imagine the possibility of a trip. “Where would we go first?”

VIRA TAM

[VIRA TAM]

Vira smiled when Cero seemed to accept her offer to go with her to her home... at some point anyway. However, she then frowned a bit as a certain someone entered her mind. If there was one thing that could make Vira's shell crack a bit, it was thinking about her father. Lt. Ronald Tam was not just a great man, he was the greatest man in her life... her hero and her role model. He was everything to her before war took him from her.

"I just wish you could met my dad," she said. "He would have really liked you. He loved a good military kid. He was always doting on the young men and women he knew who chose to enlist. He looked so happy when I told him I wanted to be a soldier like him some day." Vira got a tad misty eyed, but wouldn't let herself cry. Her voice did a get a bit quiet. "Gods, I miss him." She then cleared her throat. "My aunt and uncle are really nice people though. They're artists, which is where I got my love for this from. I think they'd like you for your appreciation of it."

CICERO TORQUATUS

[CICERO TORQUATUS]

He’d never seen Vira emotional before. He’d seen his sisters upset before – one in particular was rather vocal about it and had a talent for the dramatics. And of course, he’d seen the privates of the Second Cohort upset, but there was a professional distance that kept things muted. Vira wasn’t attention-grabbing about it, but she was still unhappy and Cero frowned slightly as his forehead creased. He couldn’t relate personally – sure, his father was absent but that had been the case since he was a baby, so there was nothing much to miss – but he tended to be the more sympathetic (his mother would have called it emotional) one in his family.

The two were separated by their paintings, so Cero put down his brush and crossed the small distance to sit down again briefly by Vira. Physical contact could be risky at times, but Cero had always demonstrated his affection physically, so he slowly and gently set his hand on Vira’s shoulder. “Our history has taught us death is not the end of our path, and that a hero’s adventure continues after life in Pluto’s kingdom. Even as a mortal, I have no doubt your father is not unreachable, and has some way to know he should be proud of his daughter. So you will meet again, and then you can give him a glowing review of me.” Cero smiled at his own joke (because let’s be honest, somebody had to), then removed his hand. “And in the meantime, I look forward to meeting your aunt and uncle so I can collect a little blackmail material.”

VIRA TAM

[VIRA TAM]

Vira wasn't a fan of being touched by most people, but she didn't mind Cicero doing so. The two were really close, almost like siblings. She knew she could trust him not to get... weird. She turned and smiled when he spoke to her about how life went on. She believed her father was ithat n Elysium. He was too good of a guy to not be.

"Yeah, I know he's alright," she said. "I wouldn't want Dad to leave a place like Elysium just for me, as much as I miss him. He's more than earned his place there with all the good he did for the needy veterans in our city. He was a really generous man." She then nodded. "And I know I'll see him again some day... and I'll definitely tell him how great you are. Maybe once we're all there, we can just have a big dinner together." Vira hoped the two of them did something great to earn that reward. She figured Cicero would at least.

Vira couldn't help but smirk when Cero spoke of visiting her aunt and uncle.

"Blackmail material, huh?" she said. "I'm sure my relatives can conjure up an embarrassing story or two..."

CICERO TORQUATUS

[CICERO TORQUATUS]

Vira seemed to respond well enough to Cero’s attempt to be comforting, so he smiled slightly and shuffled back over to his canvas. Far be it for him to leave a project uncompleted, and, unless he was being too arrogant – well, he was finally starting to get the hang of working with oil paints and canvas. He began to mix some colors together as he listened to Vira discuss her father, and he returned her nod with one of his own. “Take your time,” he teased lightly as he began painting again. “Collect all the stories you can before you go to see your father. He’ll want evidence of exactly how great I am.”

He had to put his paintbrush down when Vira picked up the thread he’d laid down about her aunt and uncle. Cero hadn’t been expecting her to play along, so he had to take advantage as much as he was able. His own mother was very proper, and as much as she loved her children that wasn’t the main reason she would never tell such stories. She had a reputation to maintain, one that extended to the family now, and guests that weren’t on familiar terms would hear nothing more than how Cero had always shown signs that he would be a dedicated soldier. “Oh really?” he prodded. “What sort of embarrassing stories do you think they might be able to put together? What did little Vira do with all her free time?”

VIRA TAM

[VIRA TAM]

Vira smiled a little about the whole Elysium thing. It all seemed so guaranteed that she would make it there. She had to remind herself that it was a place for heroes. She didn't believe she had earned that title yet. She frowned a bit.

"I just hope I'm male it there, Cicero. I want to do something great before I did, be a hero like the seven who saved us all from Gaea... Something that will make both my mother and father proud of me." She lowered her brush. "Do you think we'll ever get that chance... that grand mission?"

Vira shook het head about what she did in her free time back home. She wasn't always so strict and serious after all.

"When I was a kid, I used to want to color and paint on everything in my aunt and uncle's house... the walls, the kitchen table... their poor cat. My aunt orginally got me a paint set and easel to keep me from redecorating everything in sight." She then smirked. "Okay, your turn now. Confess a few things." Vira actually formed a playful smirk at that. It was sort of nice to be out of her she'll.

CICERO TORQUATUS