*hugs* don't be silly - it's really kind of one big happy family here and Veki and the others just enjoy teasing me - to be honest, i enjoy it as well :)  lol - and here i was going to apolgize for any trouble i might be causing you :)<br/><br/>--<br/><br/>His face changed at the mention of their father.  It as subtle enough, so much so that anyone else might not have noticed it, but it was there.  A hint of anger settling in his lips, a spark of passion in his eyes that spoke of raging rivers running rampant beneath the calms seas of his handsome face.  His fingers closed upon her hands, almost cruely.  He relinquished his grip at that, as if suddenly aware that he might be hurting her, instead moving his hand to the small of her back, guiding her along like a sheep dog guides his charges.<br/><br/>"Oh, Father and I have reached an impasse for now, I am afraid.  Still, I hope that he will soon see reason.  After all, I<em>am</em>his heir."<br/><br/>They moved through the tall ceilinged hall, the shadows of the senate and it's environs cooling the air within, the roman sun providing light enough to walk by, although Commodus' face was cast in shadow as they trod past servants, their eyes lowered, not daring to glance at the emperor's son and daughter.<br/><br/>As they paused at a great bronze door, guarded by a pair of soldiers in breast plate and spear, short swords at their side, her brother's hand fell upon her hip, pulling her closer, his fingers clenching in the material of her dress.  "You should be cross with me, dear sister, for not inquiring as to my nephew's health.  How is the boy?"<br/><br/>Although his words were light, there was a certain tension within his voice.  The guards stared stonily outward, seeming not to hear nor see the siblings, intent upon their job and nothing else. Commodus turned her to face him, easily enough, as his ohter hand, seeming to have a mind of it's own, lifted to cup her chin.  Tilting her head as to gaze into his eyes, he searched them, as if looking for an answer to an yet unasked question.