<div align="center"><strong>~Cilo the house slave rushing from the kitchens to the main villa door~</strong></div><br/>Cilo breathed a long sigh of relief as Aishwa flashed him a wink before turning to go in search of the clothes Nakia had requested. "By the Gods, Aishwa. Thank you. I owe you!"<em><strong> he called after her in a whisper. Looking to Eira he smiled thankfully and bowed his head to </strong></em>her gratefully.<em><strong>"And to you too, Eira. I am in your debt."</strong></em>Without further delay, he turned on his heels, rushing from the kitchen hurriedly, eager to get to the door and greet the guests before the Dominus or one of the guards found the post to be vacant.<br/><br/>His tunic whipped as he ran from the kitchen, and through the atrium. Taking the stairs down to the veranda he made turned on his heels 180 degrees and rushed through the inner courtyard. Turning left in the center of the inner courtyard and then another quick right, Cilo came into the herb garden and beyond that, the main door. Sighing once more in relief, he counted himself lucky to have made it here before anyone else was the wiser.<em><strong>"Thank the Gods!"</strong></em>he muttered to himself as his hand curled around the ornate handle. He gave the door a mighty pull, the heft of the door requiring both of his hands and some effort to pull open... and just in time too, it seemed, because just as he reached the door the gong announcing that guests had arrived clanged loudly, causing Cilo to jump with a start. Tugging on the large ornate handle, the door parted open slowly. He made a nervous attempt to greet those gathered in the outer courtyard, calling out weakly,<strong><em>"Welcome to Ludus Leonis Scopulus Tarraco..."</em></strong>he trailed off nervously.<strong><em>"....Tarraconensis."</em></strong>He swallowed the lump in his throat, nervous and intimidated by the very presence of the collection of people who were obviously far above his station.<br/><br/><strong><em>"P...please..."</em></strong>He tore his gaze from Livia and into the outer courtyard notic the wealthy citizen, Liliana standing with the legionnaire, Aulus and the merchant, Antonius. Stepping out to meet them, he gives a small bow and gestures to them.<strong><em>"Please, come inside and shade yourselves from the heat... come in from the heat of the day... wash the dust from your feet. Shall I fetch some water?"</em></strong>He asked, looking at Liliana as he neared them. He was quite taken with her exquisite beauty and poise and for a moment, he forgot his place.<strong><em>"You are very beautiful..."</em></strong>Realizing his mistake suddenly, his eyes grew wide and his hand shot up to cover his open mouth.<strong><em>"Apologies... I.... please come inside and shade yourselves... quench your thirsts"</em></strong>he begged, hoping they would overlook his addressing Liliana in such a fashion.<br/><br/>