<strong>Aulus, Outer Courtyard with Antonious and Liliana</strong><br/><br/>Aulus had to admit he didn’t know exactly what to say to break the silence.  When he finally did though, his body took a deep inhale of air as he found himself caught in a more nervous moment.  Questions flooded into the young soldier’s mind thinking whether he used the right tone, or perhaps the right choice of words.  As his body remained pause the sound of his heartbeat echoed in his ears as he awaited the consequences of his words.  “Please, put your mind at ease, dear Aulus ~ you have been nothing if not proper. And indeed, it is my pleasure to meet you as well.”  A sigh of relief escaped from both the lips of Antonious and Aulus.  She was indeed kindhearted and very generous which only left Aulus only to reply with a smile; a young, sincere, handsome smile that carried an effect of fluster with it.<br/><br/>Of course now with the necklace now attached to her, he pulled from the huge satchel an Egyptian mirror.  One of the greatest wonders of the Egyptians was the creation of a material that was able to reflect one’s own image.  Returning to Liliana’s he moved in front of her.  So close was he that she could feel the touch of his moist breath of his exhales graze gently against the skin of her collar, just above the pendant.  Making sure there was nothing behind him, he pulled his left leg back while it remained firm on solid earth, allowing him to bend slightly in a kneeling position.  Of course the kneeling position wasn’t complete, but it was enough so to present the mirror to her.  His hands were very careful as he tried to catch the best possible view for Liliana so to allow her the best angle for her to see herself wearing the new merchandise.<br/><br/>“So, Antonious...have you had the prior privilege of meeting with the Domina - and perhaps even Dominus - of this fine Ludus?<br/><br/>Aulus’ eyes turned towards his guardian, knowing very well the answer to that, but choosing to let him finish the answer. “I fear not my Dear, our arrival was interrupted by another group of guests whom seemed to have been expected.  From what I can tell though it had to be one of the noble houses.  You and I both know that nobility always has a way of outranking even the most expected of guests.”  Some would take that as a complaint to Roman aristocracy.  Antonious was that of a humorous nature, always seeming to find a means to chuckle after every sentence he finishes.  He didn’t laugh this round however, but the young man knew that his guardian was laughing even if no one could see it.  “Besides the company isn’t all that bad; I have a young man watching over me while I get him on his feet, and now I have a beautiful customer to grace us with her presence.  Not to mention as a certain soldier noted, Venus’ competition.”<br/><br/>The last comments were not necessary, but this was Antonious we were talking about here.  When has he never been outrageous?  A wave of embarrassment exploded inside Aulus as his cheeks glowed red at the comment.  His head turned to the side in humiliation, his blue eyes drifting away from her view.  It was difficult alone to be so close to her, especially from the front.  While he had held the mirror his blue eyes had taken the time to capture every angle, curve, even tone of the female client.  If it weren’t for the mask of the mirror Liliana would have seen a red face that clearly showed he had a more intriguing interest in women, despite the fact that he had never even kissed a woman before, save for his mother.<br/><br/>“I find myself very much looking forward to making their acquaintance and determining if my aspirations toward participating in the gladiatorial games might bear fruit from among their stock. Pray, do share your knowledge with me of our illustrious hosts and their impressive ludus.”<br/><br/>This would be fun for Antonious since he was a man of information.  Despite being primarily a wares merchant, most of his largest intakes of income came from information.  Of course since this was harmless information, which left Antonious with the final decision to give this information to her for free.  “Oh you wish to participate in the games?  Well as you clearly saw the Ludus has acquired fresh new recruits so I think a shortage of men will be no trouble.  The Domina and Dominus have a profound reputation.  They are one of the strongest houses in the province, but share no need to flex their strength, yet many find them be the most respectful of noble families. With the next games approaching fast I fear a theme has yet to declared.   Perhaps you noble influence could progress the purpose or form of the game.  I do know that many of this House’s rivals will be participating as well, so I fear some degree of bad blood to be in the atmosphere.”  Antonious looked to the young boy with an observational gaze, as he tried to contemplate a plot a means to make even more money.  Such was the life of a merchant.  “Perhaps…….Perhaps a theme to recall glorious battles against Rome’s greatest enemies.”<br/><br/>Ah yes a game to recall this Republic’s glorious victories against her enemies.  Most likely the only candidates for enemies were that of Carthage, Iberians, even the Armenians.  Of course the Armenaians choice had more means of coming to life.  After all, the old man was in possession of a tome of knowledge during the 3rd Mithridatric war.  They say the greatest commodity is that of stories whom originate from a source that was there.  If one could get a hold of that story, one could sweeten it with tales of heroics and valor for the glory of Rome.  That tome could only look back at the lady with a curiosity that clearly surprised her by his lack of knowledge. “Gladiatorial games?.....”<br/>