<strong>~ Liliana arriving at the Ludus ~</strong><br/><br/>Approaching the Ludus Leonis Scopulus Tarraconensis, Liliana peered out curiously from within her carriage to get a better view of the cliff-top perched structures. Having only been to one gladiatorial game and never before having visited a ludus, she was interested to learn about the internal machinations of such a place.  She was curious to discover the processes by which the raw material of untamed male brawn was honed into finely crafted, yet subjugated fighting mettle. She wondered about the relationship between the physically powerful gladiator slaves and their socially powerful masters. She found the entire enterprise...intriguing.<br/><br/>Resting her slender arms over the window sill as she continued to watch the passing scenery, Liliana hoped her unannounced appearance would be welcomed. After receiving word from a friend that one of her husband’s business associates, the merchant Antonious, was to be received by the Dominus and Domina of this ludus this very day, she spontaneously made the decision to take advantage of the situation to procure her entrance into the ludus as well. Oftentimes, the arrival of a merchant selling his wares was an occasion to invite neighbors for impromptu casual gatherings, and she hoped such was the case with the Domina Valeria.<br/><br/>As her carriage pulled up in front of the ludus gate and came to a halt alongside another parked carriage, she was just in time to watch two men pass through inside, the taller one with rich brown hair looking vaguely familiar to her for some reason. He appeared to be carrying a load of wares into the ludus, and Liliana smiled at her good fortune for having arrived in so timely a fashion. Stepping gracefully down from the carriage, her gown wafting gauzy soft green fabric around her body, she walked with purpose toward the entrance, confident of her acceptance as the guard nodded politely toward her as she passed. She smiled up at him as she entered the ludus, accustomed to those around her recognizing her position in society and the deference that was conferred upon her by those of social status beneath her. The guard no doubt assumed she would only present herself upon invitation, whether it be explicit or implied.<br/><br/>As she moved deeper into the ludus, her gaze was immediately transfixed by the gathering of slaves on the sand. Not noticing anything or anyone else around her as she approached the group of massive bodies, her eyes swept over the vast expanses of taut, bulging muscles bared to her view. A small gasp escaped over her parted lips. From up in the stands of the arena, the gladiators had appeared larger than life and brutal beyond measure, yes. But the distance separating her place in the audience from the mortal battles on the sand had allowed for a sensory buffer that standing on the same level of field did not.<em>Magnificent,</em>she marveled, fascinated by their powerful masculine forms.<br/><br/>It appeared that the slaves were being presented to their dominus, but she couldn’t quite see past the massive bodies of the men to make out what was happening. Suddenly, her eyes flew wide as she realized one of the warrior slaves was actually a female. A<em>beautiful and wild</em>female. Captivated, she had not realized female slaves were ever trained as gladiators.<br/><br/>Her cheeks slightly flushed - from the heat, no doubt - Liliana glanced around her, for the first time noticing a bit of chaotic activity with various animals running about, and a number of other visitors milling around the vicinity. As her gaze locked with the tall brown-haired man, an appreciative gleam sparkled in her eyes as the corners of her mouth curved up in a welcoming smile.<em>This ludus has all manner of diversions to recommend it</em>she purred to herself contentedly. Turning back to the display of would-be gladiators, Liliana waited to see what would happen once the dominus had finished inspecting his slaves.