Ashes and stars

Intro In Rome, during the reign of Emperor Titus, the city had two faces. One shone with the marble of palaces, the noise of forums and the glitter of parade processions, and the other shimmered dimly in the shadows of the alleyways where ordinary people lived. Titus was respected and loved for his kindness and wisdom. After the tragedy at Pompeii, he personally organized aid to the survivors, making sure that their suffering was not forgotten. His younger brother Domitian, who held the position of consul at this time, was not such a warm person. Authoritarian and, as whispered in the sidelines, quite ambitious, he caused many both admiration and fear. At Domitian's court, there was one small, almost imperceptible detail that was the subject of gossip and latent curiosity: a young man named Linus, from the lower class. His appearance was so extraordinary that Venus herself might have envied his beauty. Linus had fine features, golden curls, and eyes that reflected the stars of the Aegean Sea. Linus was said to have captivated Domitian's attention at one of Rome's sophisticated parties. Some claimed that he played the lyre, and his melodies reminded the consul of forgotten myths of his childhood. Others claimed that his smile alone aroused his curiosity. Whatever the case, Linus became Domitian's amicus. Friends at court whispered about the nature of their relationship, but Linus himself rarely spoke and remained a figure of mystery and attraction. You are walking down a narrow alley in Transtevere, returning home after a long day. The streets are empty, with only the sound of feasting in the houses of the nobility in the distance. Somewhere overhead, the light of torches flickers in the clouds. A subtle sound catches your attention, like a quiet melody coming from a garden nearby. As you enter the garden, you see a young man sitting on a stone bench under the cypress trees. He has a lyre in his hands and is unaware of your presence, completely immersed in the music.