<div class="floatright">(http://26.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lzyh74SNkD1r7wrq1o1_250.png)</div><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: comic sans ms;"><strong>Valoria on a mission</strong></span></span></div><br/>Valoria was itching to get away from Gaius since there was an aura around him that spoke volumes of danger. Unlike her sister, she didn’t find it appealing at all since he frightened her in a way. Here was a man that could change her world for the worse with a simple gesture of his hand. She knew her mistress. Knew the jealousy that could easily spill forth like a turned over glass of water without any chance of being fenced. She swallowed hard as her skin paled with distress. Why on earth did she have to be the one to speak with him? There were pinpricks on her back, and she knew instantly that there were another set of eyes on her. Ever watching.<br/><br/>The kind smile on his face did nothing to quell her worries since smiling often meant danger from those in power. But, she reminded herself, Gaius wasn’t above her on the social hierarchy, was he? Her eyebrows furrowed together as he knelt down for something under the wagon while still speaking to her. She strained her ears, unable to hear over the rush of action going on around them so she bent down to catch his words easier, ignoring the dirt that darkened the ends of her clothing.<br/><br/>Valoria waited for him to repeat his words before nodding her head as he guessed her name. It surprised her since Latona and herself were identical, and no one could tell them apart aside from Aelia. “Yes, I am Valoria. I am quite shocked that you—.” The words died on her lips since suspicion stirred in her heart. What exactly did this snake want enough to learn the difference between herself and her twin? Danger. The feeling caused a shiver to go down her spine as she fought the need to run away from him. She sighed with relief when he spoke of nothing more than wanting Aelia to feel comfortable in her safety. “I will try to assure her of this fact. Thank you for taking my words seriously.” Suddenly, she felt shame for assuming the worst of him since perhaps the rumors weren’t true. It was on the tip of her tongue to apologize to him for being distant to him during his many trips to Aelia’s household on other occasions, but she decided not to for other reasons. Feeling dismissed, she started to rise from the ground to head back over to her mistress and sister, but his voice caused her to pause as her eyes ran over his back while waiting for an explanation.<br/><br/><em>A favor.</em>Her hand dropped to the ground at the word. “A favor?” She repeated the words softly since she’d been around enough people to know that favors meant trouble on either side if something went wrong. Her nose wrinkled at the mention of her sister, the flirt and rebel from their duties. Yet there was also the need to protect her sister from whatever favor he had in mind for them to do. “I don’t understand, Gauis.” No, she did understand what he wanted from her or her sister, but it was strictly against the rules of her Mistress. Valoria also knew that Aelia would be pissed if she found out that she’d been telling her secrets to this man. It would cause a root of distrust to form in the woman’s mind, and there would be no peace afterward until much groveling was done to fix the wrong. Her eyes sting with tears at the threat as she fought the need to just cry in front of him. The rumor wouldn’t work, would it? She was a virgin as was her…sister. Valoria honestly wasn’t sure if her sister already tasted the essence of the forbidden, and she couldn’t risk asking her since it would risk exposure. There was no escape planned out for her since she never felt the need for one. Like her mother and grandmother before her, she lived to serve the household of Aelia’s family.<br/><br/>She bit her lower lip to stop herself from crying in front of him since he was the worse type of fiend. He was curious about them yet that fact didn’t surprise her since many were curious about the favored slaves of Aelia. No one had the balls to proposition her like this in a public area. Valoria lowered her eyes to the ground to keep her flushed face away from his eyes. It was uncomfortable to be in this position, but she saw no escape from it. His words about lowering her head when approaching him caused her to keep them even more firmly on the ground as if staring at him might bring disgrace upon him. “Your words have been heard, Gaius.” She spoke carefully and softly as her hands shook as she smoothed out her dress. “I shall discuss it with my sister when in private with her. You shall have your favor returned.” The words tasted foul in her mouth as she finally lifted her head to stare at him. There was nothing but confusion and a hint of betrayal in her eyes. “I don’t understand why you would do this. My sister and I have done nothing wrong to you. Just know that this is a one time favor, not something to happen repeatedly."<br/><hr/><div class="floatright">(http://27.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lxl8lfdU8G1r7wrq1o1_250.jpg)</div><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 10pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: comic sans ms;"><strong>Aeila is approaching</strong></span></span></div><br/>In the moment Gaius and Valoria disappeared from her sight, Aelia cursed before gritting her teeth in frustration. She glanced about at the street with distaste since she did not wish to be around these heathens for much longer. Her foot took a tentative step outside as she glanced around as if expecting someone to attempt and rob her. Latona stood behind her with an expressionless face even though on the inside of her mind she was laughing at the woman's fear. Aelia's gaze snapped back to her slave as if she heard the silent laughter before gesturing for them to walk outside. "I have no time to wait for Gaius. We shall escort ourselves since it is not a long walk." In truth, she wanted to get to a better position to spy on the conversation between her slave and the man. Latona, of course, wasn't worried about it at all since her sister was ever faithful to their mistress to the point of not living her life. They slowly across the way towards the carriages, partly due to Aelia's insistence to take the longer way to avoid going through a crowd of men.