<div class="floatright">(http://elliquiy.com/elluiki/images/3/36/Livia.jpg)</div><em><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 12pt;">Livia</span> - on the balcony with Manius</em><br/><br/>Livia felt torn between her desire to stay and etiquette in relieving this house of turmoil of her presence. She did not think she was of any more use to Manius, in relation to the chaos that Matriana and the murder of her husband had caused. Everything had happened so swiftly that she was still processing all the information, still replaying each moment in her minds eye.<br/><br/>She waited beside Manius as one of his servants went to call her own to her, glad in part that they had not been witness to the events that had occured on the sands. In her heart she knew that Lulia would not have done anything as Manius had that day. He would not have bent to the will of Matriana but put justice and integrity first. The name of his Ludus might have faltered from the gossip attached but it had such a renowned reputation that it would have been shaken for only a little time. Lulia she knew would have done everything in his power to make sure of it.<br/><br/>Why were the best of friends so very different in the deliverance of justice and punishment? Livia glanced at him when he spoke, her pale blue eyes considerate to the last. She noted how he had misconstrued her meaning and smiled as she formed the words to tell him as such. It had been to her own Ludus with her entourage that she had referred, staying here seemed a futile gesture and one she was sure he did not wish her to witness further. The slight dilation of her pupils and the small parting of her lips as she took in his invitation to bathe him. The only man she had ever bathed had been her husband but that was more a joint venture than an actual washing.<br/><br/>Feeling decidedly side tracked in her thoughts Livia was unable to speak a moment, the very idea of being alone in a bath with Manius was as overwhelming as the heat. However any response was taken from her when he staggered. Alarm writ its mark upon her face and she was closer to his side in a blink of an eye.<br/><br/><strong>"Manius?"</strong>concern etched her voice as he assured her that he was fine, placing an arm about her shoulders as she instinctively placed one about his waist. Her free hand reached to touch over his heart as if she would listen to hear whether it beat soundly or not.<br/><strong>"Yes of course, staying is for the best"</strong>she would not declare any correction to his statement, it was clear she was needed here. Her servant and champion would soon arrive and Livia felt she would breath easier for having something so familiar at hand.