Election time again. Comes around so quickly, thought Quintus Flaminius Vitulus. It barely felt like any time at all since he had first stood at the Rostra, as Quaestor to the Senior Consul, that he had last announced a candidacy. And now, he was at it again, albeit this time holding the rather more prominent position of President of the College of Tribunes. He calmed himself briefly, taking a breath, then composed his face and stepped up smiling to those gathered below, raising his hands as he did so in his customary manner.

"People of Rome!" he announced. "As you know, this is the time of year when those ambitious men of Rome announce themselves ready to serve you. And I am happy, no, most happy, to announce to you today the candidacy of a man who has served Rome admirably, indeed nobly! No, no, not that of myself," he waved down some of his more sycophantic supporters who had begun to cheer him. "I announce instead the candidacy of Lucius Junius Brutus for the position of Plebeian Aedile.

"Brutus and I met in the courts last year, and I can tell you, Quirites, that he put up such a fight there that I feared I should lose the case. His intellect was obvious then, and his closing speech belied the fact that it was his first appearance as an advocate in the Courts of Rome. But it is not just intellect and rhetorical ability that he possesses - no, he has yet more admirable qualities. Who can forget his vow to fight the rebels in Asia with his sandals, as he left for his war-torn province with no Roman legions yet in place.

"Thus, not just a clever man but a brave man too. And not just brave - for the drunk who threatens a man twice his size when the wine in his belly makes him think he has the strength of Jupiter can seem brave - but he is able, too. Has he not shown that by his clearing of the sea of pirates as part of his duties as Quaestor of Asia? I, for one, shall not forget the sight of the heads of dead pirates rolling around my feet in the Senate. And he has always successfully argued in the Senate for three legions, two Roman and one allied, to rid the province of rebels, as well as a whole fleet to fight the pirates - a considerable political achievement for a Quaestor.

"This is a man who puts many of our more senior magistrates to shame with his intellect, his bravery and his indefatigability. This is a man who has fought for Rome - in the Senate, in the courts, and - literally - in his province. This is a man who I am proud to announce will be standing for Plebeian Aedile in this year's elections - Lucius Junius Brutus!"

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OOC - Announced with the permission of Lucius Junius.