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Jedediah was a very friendly character, whether it be with miniatures or reanimated animals, he had a certain charm that no one could resist. Most notably the leader of the Roman diorama too. Octavius didn’t deny it either and was hopelessly in love.
He thought of the world of the Wild West cowboy, the way his eyes sparkled during stories, or how his determination to help people remained solid. Out of all the miniatures, Larry and the exhibits knew Octavius and Jedediah the best.
Octavius ruled his diorama through fear and strict leadership among his people, he was an emperor after all. Jedediah wasn't the same way, of course, the cowboy was way softer than him. He knew every face and animal in his diorama, he helped everyone with a smile and a warm handshake.
Octavius was no stranger to people who wanted to chat with the cowboy. Whether it be about animal problems, plans of manifesting destiny, disagreements, or wanting advice.
He found it precious that people thought of Jedediah so highly to go to him in times of need.
What he didn't mind was when people wanted his love of all things. Jedediah gave affection freely to all the folks of the diorama, but never love.
Jedediah had been busy for a few nights and wasn't able to leave the diorama as much as usual. Octavius understood that there were times the cowboy was busy, but the reason ticked him off greatly. A few nights ago he decided to go visit the diorama to see why Jed didn't come over as usual and then saw him.
As he got closer to the west, he noticed the man looked familiar, looked like a fellow cowboy. He seemed to be talking at than talking to Jedediah. Octavius could never understand how some of the Westerners acted, barbaric, rude, and revolting. He was no stranger to crude behavior,
Ancient Roman culture could show you as much.
The man was a bit taller than his friend but seemed more his weight. Whoever he was, he seemed to be funny to the blond cowboy. He had a mustache and seemed to have hazel tousled hair. Octavius could only hear the man murmur something to Jedediah and he snapped around to face the westerner. He had an open expression that then melted into laughter.
“Now listen here kemosabe, I don't know where you got that fool idea from but it ain't true ”
Jedediah said as he pointed an accusatory finger at the man. His eyebrows were creased in a smile and his face was almost three times lighter than his paludamentum. He quickly ran over, making sure his steps were loud enough for both men to hear.
“Greetings Jedediah! I hope I am not interrupting?” He said in fake curiosity
He knew the cowboy didn’t like to feel spied on, which he respected mildly
“Hey, Jed,Who is this Mary in the skirt get up?”
This man was one of the less open-minded cowboys in the diorama judging from his tone. Octavius raised an eyebrow, scoffing in his head, Who precisely is this?
“ Woah there hoss, it's best you mind your manners ya hear ? This is Octavius, the high falutin leader of the Roman diorama! A good pal of mine!”
Jedediah said in a firm and light tone, even when Jedediah made fun of Octavius for his “tin hat and skirt” he knew more about his culture and customs than he let on. He gave the stranger a pointed look.
He stuck his hand out in greeting and the other cowboy shook it.
“Salve”
Octavius said as he tried to not roll his eyes at this newcomer, he may have gripped his hand harder than necessary. The cowboy mashed his teeth, obviously affected by this.
“ This is Jesse James! He's a new addition to the diorama! I was just given a tour of the town!” He said as gestured towards him.
“If you are busy I shall return to Rome, I wouldn’t want to inconvenience you”, Octavius said a little too firmly.
“Nonsense amigo! It’s been a while since I saw your mug! This fella here was taking up my time” He gingerly patted his shoulder while smiling with his usual grin. Octavius’s eyes locked on where Jed had patted the other cowboy and froze.
Before Octavius could respond the flaxen cowboy linked their arms and began walking. Octavius looked back and glared at James, the other cowboy in tow creasing his brows.
What exactly were they to each other?
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“This here is Ole man Morgan's place! Finest Saloon in this era diorama!”
“Wouldn't mind knocking back something at that place! Or seeing a fine missus too!”
Jedediah gave a polite laugh to that remark, this guy sure is something. Octavius had been buffering himself between the two and hadn't spoken a word, only looking up when Jed had spoken. The new miniature proved to be a handful , especially with his remarks. There was no doubt most of the population of this diorama weren't that educated or polite about new things. They were never as ignorant as this cowboy though,or indecent.
He had said some borderline vulgar language at every woman they passed and pointed out people who looked different while scowling. Jedediah had furrowed his brows, trying to not pay attention and moving the conversation elsewhere. He also apologized to the folks and maneuvered them away from others. Octavius could see the other cowboy’s remarks were making him uncomfortable and drained.
he wasn't very happy about it
At the moment they had decided to take a break in the saloon to get some refreshments and feedback about the tour. Jedediah had ordered some sarsaparilla, he was never one for drinking. Octavius ordered one as well, probably because of how awful their alcohol is. He couldn't stand how sour it was James had ordered some Cactus juice and mule skinner, insisting he could handle real alcohol. Octavius caught Jed pulling a scowl but it quickly vanished when James looked over at him.
Octavius quirked a brow, not used to the negative expression on the cowboy's face with new miniatures.
“So James! What do you think of our fine establishment here?”
“It’s great Jed! Sure there are a lot of indecent people here though, are you in charge of them?”
Jedediah’s eye twitched at the man's improper comment. He clenched his glass as Octavius looked on worryingly. Octavius nudged his leg, but Jed didn’t acknowledge it.
“No Sir, just free men, and women here, the only person in charge of them is the good lord, ”He said with a clenched smile.
James looked astounded at this and was about to respond until the Saloon doors opened. A centurion guard had busted in, with his spear in hand and helmet on. He scanned the crowd and spotted Octavius. He marched over and saluted the Roman leader. Jedediah wasn’t surprised, while James was confused about what he was seeing the centurion wearing.
"Ave! Habeo tibi nuntium ad Caesarem!
“Potestne Vernum exspectare? Hodie sum civilis, et timeo ne illam amittam".
"Potest Caesar, sed, si occupatus sum, alio tempore venire possum".
"Ineptias nolo te frustra terere iter, paucis foris ero"
"Gratias Tibi Caesar"
Octavius got up from his spot and grabbed his helmet.
“I’m afraid gentlemen I have some urgent matters to attend to, I shall not slow you two down any longer”
He saluted them and put on his helmet, walking briskly to meet the centurion outside. He hoped Jedediah would be fine without him.
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“We need to convene a Senate meeting immediately, I did not know the problem had grown Vernus”
“We didn't either Sir, the others are worried the senators won't take it seriously”
“Worry not, I shall have this solved with or without the senate ”
They had spoken a few minutes away from the Saloon, according to Vernus there was a grain shortage amongst the lower class or plebeians.
Vernus saluted him and began to march back to his diorama. Octavius massaged his eyes with his hand and started walking towards the Saloon. Unknown to him, a certain Cowboy was trying to romance his best friend.
———-
“So how long have you known Octane boy?”
He said as he swirled his drink, he had finished half his drink and seemed a little intoxicated.
“His name is Octavius, he’s my best friend! I've known him for 50 odd years!” He said with a smile. He always liked telling people about Octavius. ain’t his best friend for nothing!
“So y’all ain’t together then?”
“E-excuse me? Where’d you get that crazy notion?”
“It seemed to me he wanted to have my head on a spike! Dangum man was glaring at me !” He said with annoyance.
“Octavius ain’t the friendly kind, he’s a Roman you know!” He said with a chuckle, he looked down while playing with his gloves.
Suddenly James had laid his hand on top of his, making the cowboy look up in confusion.
He looked upon Jed with an odd look in eye, his cheeks were red due to the alcohol and something else it seems.
“I guess there’s nothing wrong with this then?” He said as he gave a lopsided grin, Jedediah was not amused by this. He pulled his hand back and his face turned into a grimace. His chair made a screech when he moved back, startling both of them.
“I beg to differ partner, clearly you had too much ale,” He said as he shuffled back, James wasn’t pleased with Jed’s reaction. He opened his mouth to speak but was cut off by Jedediah.
“I’ll let this be the end of our tour Laredo, clearly you got your flag out” He got up from the bar and slapped some coins on the table. Before he was able to leave, a hand grabbed his wrist.
“What the?”
He was pulled towards James, right into his ugly mug, Jedediah thought. He didn’t want to resort to violent measures but ever the pioneer man he had a hand hovering over his belt.
“Aww don’t leave yet Sugar I thought we were having fun!” He said in a flirty tone. Jedediah was starting to get pissed
“James—“
“Call me Jesse, we are more than friends ain’t we?”
“Now listen here you slimy—“
Before he could finish his sentence a red and gray blur grabbed Jesse's hand in a bruising grip. Jesse yowled in pain and looked up to see an angry Roman wall standing in front of him.
he burned with anger
“What do you think you're doing barbarian?”
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The emperor was steadily walking towards the building. He pushed the saloon doors and scanned his surroundings.
He was hoping that Jedediah hadn't been whisked away
He pushed through the crowd and weaved his way back to the bar. The crowd seemed to have gotten thicker somehow. He looked around from the side to check if his friend was in the crowd. The patrons of the bar seemed tense and eyeing a certain area of the room too.
What occurred while he left for two minutes?
He finally was able to get to the front of the crowd where the bar was and stop his surveying to look in front of the bar.
He wasn't too happy with the scene in front of him.
- Oh Jupiter
James from the looks of him was extremely intoxicated and Jedediah was extremely uncomfortable. The taller man had his hand in a tight grasp around Jed’s gloved hand and was practically leering at him closely. How dare he touch his cowboy? Jedediah was not having it from his expression.
He was practically green-eyed looking at the situation. He trembled with anger and began his approach. Silently with a stony expression, he walked behind Jedediah, hearing their heated conversation as he got clearer.
“James—“
“Call me Jesse, we are more than friends ain’t we?”
“Now listen here you slimy—“
He grabbed the drunk's hand forcefully and heard Jedediah gasp in surprise at his appearance.
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“ h-Hey! October! I didn't see you there!” He said not hearing what Octavius said or pretended to not hear in the Roman's minds. He tilted his head mechanically and peered at him waiting for an explanation. His eyes were swirling with rage and his helmet askew. He increased the pressure on the man's arm, causing him to grip the table.
“What were you doing ?”
“We were just talking! Like cowboys do! R-right Jed?” He turned to try to look for Jed for aid but saw a metal-clad body move in front of him. His whole body was rigid and was blocking Jedediah from the man's line of sight.
”Hardly Partner” Jedediah replied as he got up from his stool. He massaged his hand and hissed when he touched a certain spot. He stepped closer to Octavius, leaning his head towards his ear.
“He ain't worth it Octy , Let's leave this son of a gun ok?” The cowboy whispered softly , Octavius had a faraway look in his eyes that he didn't like.
Octavius' eyes glanced from James to briefly Jedediah. He sighed, he let the man go. His shoulders slacken and he stepped back next to Jed. They turned to leave until the drunk decided to open his mouth again.
“I should have known y’all were a buncha marys! You’ll have no business being here! you and Miss Nancy should scaddle! Bunch of who—”
He was ready to tear the bastard’s tongue out for such language against his friend, and Octavius headbutted him. His helmet falling off in the process revealing his curly black hair. Jesse reeled back in shock and he clutched his nose, before any of them could say anything Octavius grabbed Jesse. He sneered , he clenched Jesse’s shirt, almost baring his teeth at him.
“Don't you EVER call Jedediah that you caenum. You are the stench of a low-life latrine. Or anyone in this diorama you incompetent barbarian. “
“I—“
“DO YOU UNDERSTAND?”
Octavius's booming voice caused both James and Jedediah to jump. Jedediah was not used to the emperor losing his temper, that was usually his job out of the duo. He has never seen Octavius this angry, or protective. He forgets Octavius wasn't just Octy to him, but an emperor as well.
“Y-Yes, sir!”
“ Good, if I hear anything other than this, I shall feed you to the beast of the colosseum and watch as they rip you limb from limb.”
He said in a monotone and firm tone as he pulled the man closer to his face. He dropped his hold on the man, like a rat he scattered without looking back.
Octavius calmed down and his shoulders became relaxed. He whipped over to Jedediah and held his helmet.
“Are you alright Mio Amico?”
Before he could respond Octavius gently encompassed Jedediah’s hand in his palms. He stroked his calloused skin and looked up at the cowboy. Jedediah’s body melted with the familiar contact and leaned against the Roman.
“I am fine partner, a Lil battered up that’s all,” He said as he gave him a warm smile, he used his other hand to pat Octavius’s own. The Roman mirrored his expression and let his hands fall to his side.
“I’m glad to hear Jedediah, come let us get your bruises looked after, I heard Larry is putting on a movie later.”
He grabbed his hand, pulling the cowboy to his side.
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