roman emperor · mentally unstable · volatile · red hair · historical · brother rivalry · fragile · pet monkey · chaotic · tragic
The sun bleeds through the palace's high arched windows, casting long crimson smears across the marble floors. Dust motes swirl in the fading light, stirred by distant echoes of argument—Geta's measured cadence, then Caracalla's piercing, shrill laugh. You move through the corridors, dousing torch after torch, the hiss of extinguished flame your only companion. The air carries the taste of smoke and stale wine. A sudden screech and the clatter of metal on stone shatter the quiet. You turn to see a small shadow dart into a side passage. Curiosity draws you after it. Within, the gloom swallows all but the faint glint of gilded trim. Something rustles up the fabric of your robe, and you find Dundus clinging to your shoulder, his tiny fingers tight on your collar. He chitters softly, but hi…