Thekarencatgirl - yes, it is. If you get hold of a copy of the unabridged Julius Caesar, you'll find how the homoeroticism (no idea if that's the right word) is implied implicitly, or just said out. (Act 4 Scene 2 is a good testifier of that. Even a poet in the scene tells Brutus and Cassius (and I quote verbatim) 'Love and be friends, as two such men should be' :o
Lance sometimes hated himself. Why would he, of all people, have a weakness for a cocky, inexperienced little whelp? Damn it, he, the general who'd killed more people, seen more bloodshed than that youngling had eaten meals, the politician who'd mercilessly manipulated so many fools over and over again, the ladies' man who'd had scores of pathetic young women pledge their love for him – he was, had, fallen in love. With Red.
The boy – he was still a boy, no matter how successful – trusted him, just like that, without the least suspicion. And he, Lance, had returned that – and more.
What would Shadow have called that? Unrequited love. In reality, sheer stupidity. One could play around, flirt, use someone's affection, but it was common knowledge that the more emotional attachment, the less success.
It had been easy to scorn those idiots who had poured out their love. Only now, it was his turn.
And, he, an idiot in love, had thrown his weight behind Red, pushed him to power, and stood by him thick and thin. Lance was well aware of the dissenting voices. A few days ago, the desertion of Silver had cause a ripple of shock within the highest level of the Senate. And of course there was his old rival, Wallace, who was definitely not going to stand by and watch.
Politics was like a timed game of chess. Whoever made the first move was always at a certain advantage. Most people were the pawns or figureheads, and few ascended to the position of the actual player – and managed to stay there. Lance was determined to stay there.
He must ensure the people would support Red. He would make sure.
Shadow slipped through the crowd silently, lifting a purse from the belt of a rich merchant beside her, hiding her profits beneath her cloak. The noisy people never noticed.
Right now the town crier was ruining her hearing by screaming out the latest news – who'd been killed in the last gladiator fight, yet another chariot accident – the same stuff every time. The only thing that made her prick up her ears was the mention of traitors – two men, Flint and Volkner, had been executed for 'disturbing the peace'.
She had seen the action herself – the two had been berating some cobblers for celebrating Red's becoming king. This was treason now? But of course, that was what Red – or rather, the redhead behind Red – wanted – total control over the people. Anything less was unacceptable.
A joyous shout from the crowd made her lift her head. Lance was crowning Red – What! Now?
Red was smiling and refusing the crown. The people cheered. Even though Red had, in practice (or so the people thought), been ruling the country for the past week, only now had he been officially crowned as king.
They'd rehearsed it beforehand, Shadow realised. It fitted in so well. Red would appear unambitious and generous – he'd actually refused the honour, although at the end of the day it would have still ended up on his head.
The throng of plebeians went wild as Red finally accepted and was officially announced as king. Shadow sighed. Ignorant fools. One should never trust a person who had Lance behind him.
As the king and his supporters moved away, the crowd hot on their heels, Shadow caught sight of Wallace and Steven. Good. At least she wouldn't have to report the entire proceedings.
Making sure she was right at the front of the crowd, hanging back just slightly to be inconspicuous, she followed then through the marketplace on their way back to the Senate.
"Your highness!" A sharp, raucous cry made everyone's head turn.
Shadow raised an eyebrow. The formerly self-styled Mysticalman, now madder than a March hare – what was he up to? Eusine had pretty much lost his mind, ever since Morty had decided to stay with Falkner, but Shadow knew that even a madman could have something important to say.
Barely audible – Shadow had to strain her ears to hear – words came out in a low hiss.
"Beware the Ides of March."
"What?" That was Red.
"Speak up, man," Lance ordered him.
"Beware the Ides of March," Eusine was staring straight at Red, like one might watch a deranged leper, full of fear and fascination.
An uncomfortable silence and settled at the front of the train, whilst at the back people were abuzz with curiosity. No one was quite sure what was going on.
Finally, Red forced a laugh, "Just a dreamer. Let's go."
The Ides of March…that was the 15th of March, just a few days from now…it would be interesting…what exactly was there to beware?
In Victine's Complaints Department:
Eusine: Wait...do I have to go mad?
Flint & Volkner: Why did you kill us?
Me: It's part of the plot.
Shadow: At least I get to steal people's stuff.
Lance: Do I have to stick with Red? *sigh*
Red: And I get to be king! :)
Me: For a while anyway.
Shadow: Wait a sec...that was Ignitionshipping, wasn't it?
Me: Yes. And I'm hoping people can review and give suggestions so I know what shippings to put in!