<div class="floatright">(http://www.kaboodle.com/hi/img/b/0/0/e5/a/AAAAC12hqfIAAAAAAOWuNw.jpg)</div><div align="center"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: comic sans ms;"><strong><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;">~Aelia at Ludus Metalla~</span></strong></span></div><br/>The trip over to Livia’s home was reasonably uneventful besides the crowds of people still rejoicing at the miracle of rain. Aelia was thankful for the gods ending the hiatus of no water, but she was not willing to behave like a barbarian over it. Her mother's words echoed in her mind of the proper behavior of a woman at her social standing. Behaving like a savage was no one of her lessons. A prayer and offering to the divine’s temple was her method of displaying gratitude and submission to their authority over all aspects of one's life. Most of the ride, she stared out of the window while still pondering of possible explanations for Livia’s extended stay at the ludus. Nothing that came to her mind seemed justifiable for such a course of action so she pushed it from her mind.<em>The truth will reveal itself in time,</em>she thought while twirling the loose curl in her hair. The carpentrum rocked gently back and forth like a mother cradling a babe yet every so often it rolled over small bumps in the road. Her eyes drifted close since she was prone to falling asleep during spouts of boredom before once again the gentle hand of Latona shook her away to signal their arrival in front of their destination. Her gaze penetrated through the rain in attempt to locate the crafty Gauis.<br/><br/>There were a few wagons and carriages lingering on the street, but Aelia could not see her escort through the downpour. An annoyed frown distorted her face since she refused to go out in the rain for him like some common scullery maid. Her gaze flickered between Valoria and Latona before making a quick decision. “Valoria, go inform Gauis that we are ready to depart as soon as he’s ready.” The girl pulled a light veil on her head to prevent her hair from becoming too damp before exiting with a splash of her feet landing in a puddle. “Be quick about it so that you don’t get too wet.” There was a faint air of concern in Aelia's voice even though it did not occur to her to offer the umbrella from earlier. Just as she issued the command, her keen eyes spotted Gauis face on the back of a wagon. She gestured for Valoria to hurry over to him with a pointed glare in his direction.<br/><br/>Valoria hurried over towards the wagon where the young male sat as she did her best to prevent herself from becoming too damp from the waters. “Pardon me, sir, my mistress has requested that you know of our arrival. She wishes to inform you that we are ready to depart as soon as you are ready.” Her voice was just barely audible over the clamor around them. She kept her eyes lowered from his, unlike her twin (http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx8w3cqyjP1r7wrq1o1_500.jpg) sister, since she understood of the consequences of appearing too friendly with this man. While her sister, Latona, enjoyed slipping through the cracks to break the rules, Valoria understood her place and did not crave to rise beyond her station. Her mother served, and she firmly believed it was her duty to do the same. At the sound of a loud voice behind her, she felt the veil slip from her hair as startled yelp emerged from her mouth. Once recovering her bearing, she apologized with a sincere expression in her eyes.  “I am sorry for reacting so poorly to your presence. I did not hear you behind me.” Her pale face flushed bright pink as embarrassment ripped through her body as her eyes returned to the ground. She sighed softly, not bothering to the veil back on her head since she was thoroughly soaked. "If you have understood my message, I would like to be dismissed."<br/>