<strong>Aulus with Liliana in the inner courtyard</strong><br/>From the young man’s point of view, war changes a man.  Sometimes even the softest of hearts can be forged in cold steel with but a passing of a single battle.  These men, no longer became soldiers worthy of Mars’ grace, but instead became bloodthirsty murderers.  They thrived on bloodshed and raped and pillaged whatever they pleased, unless the commanding officer had any degree of nobility to stop such barbarity.  When Aulus finally felt the tear being rubbed away by the grace of his thumb, he was almost relieved that his heart was still pure, though his mind and body be scarred by years of combat.  Also with Aulus in the more…..weakened state it gave another an opportunity to make an even more daring move.  Liliana seemed all but prepared as they continued to lock their eyes onto one another.  So quiet and still was this moment that one could even hear the soft gust of wind beating against their bodices.  The outline of Liliana’s body sculpted at every detail pressed against the delicate fabric of her garments, leaving but for a moment Aulus’ eye’s to detail her body like a starving wolf.<br/><br/>Whether it was a means of opportunity or simply plain coincidence Liliana would ignore such a moment.  Her hand now released of the hand she had held moved immediately to his hand carrying the tear soaked thumb.  Her sudden action broke the young soldier’s hypnosis as his eye locked finally on his hand, his mind trying to contemplate what she would do next. Of all his possible scenarios he had considered, this one he did not expect:   the kissing of the thumb that had wiped his tear away.  His cheeks flushed at the kiss of his flesh, despite it nowhere near his face; that was the distraction.  With Aulus totally locked in by her first reaction, he failed to notice the hand that had caressed the side of his face.  It left Aulus in a perhaps paralyzed state for he feared he could dare not move, not at least without insulting her with his……inexperience.  He kept this truth to himself, leaving the only thing he was capable of moving, his mouth, to distract her so to allow his body to return to its normal state; thus he explained his true goals now that he was no longer in the Legion.<br/><br/>“Aulus, I am so very sorry to hear of your loss. May the gods bestow comfort upon you as you mourn your beloved parents,” It was clear that there was absolute compassion and sincerity in her words with enabled to Aulus to breathe easier.  Indeed he missed his parents; perhaps they were his most valued treasure of all.  Now with them gone he was alone, with no kin or family to know, perhaps not even a true home since the fire had consumed his home.  A smile of appreciation grew on him finally directing it towards Liliana nodding in his thanks to her kind words, totally oblivious to her finger against the palm of his hands.  Even there the scars of his history were embedded his palms by scars which most likely would have come from holding his weapons with a grip that dared not let go. “So, you have garnered position with Antonious in the hope of earning the money you need.”  Antonious was a good man, though his greed for money almost cost him his arm had it not been for Aulus’ intervention.  The soldier wondered what the merchant was up to; perhaps squeezing every denari he could out of the guards’ purse. “General Pompey said he was a man that could be trusted.  I am grateful that he is teaching the ways of a merchant, which I must confess, feel so foreign to me.  I wonder if it suits me.”<br/><br/>Aulus could feel the gentle breeze of the wind die down leaving them behind with a small but thankful sensation of cold air.  With the wind past, the sun came next returning them to the heat that they had been enduring, even if it was a slow transition.  When she asked of his progress regarding his collecting of funds Aulus could only respond by showing her a small satchel of coin.  Even to the naked eye, it was not nearly enough, considering the fact that his home with back in Capua.  “I fear at this rate, with my abilities at being a merchant, it’ll take years before I can finally afford to get home, let alone pay for a proper funeral.”  Returning the satchel to his belt, he sighed as he considered the amount of time it would take before he could even afford transportation to Capua considering the fact that he will need to pay for food and board, which he hadn’t even considered where he would stay.  Antonious was kind enough to give him lodging when he first got here but he wouldn’t be able to keep him around forever, not with him retiring.<br/><br/>“Perhaps a man such as yourself - a soldier - might better exchange different services for coin to more quickly and successfully reap the reward you seek.”  He looked to her with eyes of optimism.  The black wolf given an opportunity to walk with the greys……..”Different services Your Ladyship?  What kind of services are you suggesting?”  Thus she described how her status could possibly allow him to be employed by this very Ludus.  The idea did show promise, after all he was fascinated by this place, and to be around it so much would surely be a gift from the gods.  If not however, she would see no problem in hiring him as well at her villa.  Perhaps it was for extra security, perhaps not, either way her plan was most gracious and Aulus needed to show proper thanks.  “You have only but just met me, yet your words set my heart at ease.  I’m sure if my parents were still alive they would be undoubtedly grateful.  May the Gods never turn a blind eye to your generosity.”  Her last comments though confused him, “A sweeter cup?  But wasn’t that wine you told him to watch yours?”  Aulus was not very familiar with word play; such was the language of nobles and politicians.  As a soldier and of the lower class of plebs he preferred simplicity in his conversations.  He always preferred being honest and to the point, which was similar to his father.  A soldier never dragged something on, he starts what he intends to finish. This made his last question seem somewhat cute, if not humerus from noble's view<br/>