<div class="floatright">(http://www.film.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/39358397-39358402-large.jpg)</div><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: georgia;"><em><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 14pt;">Livia</span> </em>walks with Manius</span><br/><br/>She walked with him along the outer corridor, the view of his broad shoulders disturbing her equilibrium no end. This turn of events caused her insides to behave as if a thousand starlings had taken flight within her. A delicate hand picked up the beaded wrap of her toga, letting some of the golden jewels rub through her fingers. Had she truly forgotten how glorious the man was? How her beloved Lulia had teased her about the blush that would creep into her cheeks whenever they would see Manius and Valeria at the games. That had felt like another life time ago, she had blamed the heat and a host of other reasons but her husbands generous heart had assured her that love did not lessen because her eyes found many things beautiful to look at. Part of her wondered now if Lulia had ever jested with Manius about this but sincerely hoped he had not, surely he would have spoken of the matter to her and she had no recollection of his disclosing any such tales.<br/><br/>Lost in thought as she was, she quickly regained her composure when he slowed his gait and offered her to walk alongside of him. Livia had barely moved to close the gap between them meaning only to walk as he had asked of her when his hands took hold of hers. She had taken a lover of her champion to still these heated thoughts and feelings and yet Manius with a gentle look, a soft word and brief touch gave her heart the wings it had required to fly. She felt at any moment those wings would beat so hard and fast, that her very heart would escape from the confines of her chest. Could he hear it? Her eyes held his as if transfixed and slowly she nodded her head.<br/><br/><strong>"Whatever we may encounter I will endeavour to share my experience and knowledge"</strong>her voice was like a cooling draught on the scorching day as if the lightest breeze flew on her words and caressed the skin. Hastily her hands were released she and glanced downwards as her own still remained hovering mid air. As he apologised she closed her eyes trying to still the frantic emotions that seemed rampant within her that day. It was the heat she mused and then suddenly his words caused her to look up again at him. Manius missed his friend, her husband of course he would be kind enough to hold her hands and express this grievous loss from their lives and all the while she was imagining all sorts of romantic notions. Had she truly taken leave of her senses? He was married and happily so to Valeria, the way he glanced at her had nothing to do with attraction but to do with his considerate and compassionate nature. Livia blinked lightly as she strived to keep her visage from betraying her. She could not now speak of Lulia after casting admiring glances to his old friend, how her husband must be laughing from where he watched her from the afterlife.<br/><br/>A soft nod of her head and a gentle smile was all she relaid to accept his apology, to express her own feelings regarding her loss and to agree with him that they should indeed continue. His smile disarmed her but thankfully now they would walk side by side, she did not have to pass any glance his way if it could be helped.<br/><strong>"Do you have any inclination as to what it is we will find?"</strong>