Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)
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		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Human Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Kiara on 19-10-2008, 20:31:08</h2>
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				Title: <strong>Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kiara</strong> on <strong>19-10-2008, 20:31:08</strong>
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				The chill of winter barely clung to the streets of Rome as four men carried a thickly-draped litter upon their shoulders. Livia held her purple-trimmed cloak tightly against her body, fighting against the cold waiting just beyond her draperies. She shivered at the feel of her golden jewelry lying across her bare skin. An open ended ivy wreath of gold foil encircled her neck, its two points hinting at the soft swell beneath the collar of her azure chiton robe. The olive hue of her flesh peaked between the silken fabric in intervals between small buttons down her shoulders. Her wrists lightly jingled with bangles adorned with drops of emeralds and pearls.<br><br>As she felt the litter come to a stop, she reached up to smooth a single flyaway hair from her face. She tucked it into the intricate puzzle of dark twists and braids, held by a finely crafted golden net. She reached her hand out to delicately pull back the curtain, a burst of cold air rushed in to draw color to her nose and cheeks. The evening sun accompanied the coolness as her transport was lowered to the ground. She twisted her body from the pillows within and took the hand of a slave to lift herself from the cushions.<br><br>She smiled and nodded kindly to him, passing him a single coin secretly hidden within her robe. Her supple leather sandals made no sound as they carried her from the cobbled street into the atrium of a two storied building, one slave remaining five paces behind her. She could smell the various foods being served at the banquet: salted fish, flatbread, and roasted dates to name just a few. Musicians were playing melodies in the garden which people were already dancing to, some holding honeyed wine in their hands.<br><br>Livia accepted a goblet of wine and bashfully moved to a wall, out of the way and out of sight of many, scanning the crowd for a familiar face. Her father was currently occupied with business to do with the Republic. He was always very busy, and so would not be at the dinner party. Livia only attended because her name turned the fun and games into duty. She was there to signify the presence of her father, and grandfather beyond that. The senate has been meeting quite frequently as of late.<br><br>She darted behind a column as she saw Julius Caesar himself walking out of the dining hall on the other side of the gardens. This was one of his lavish events, but she still did not want to find herself face to face with him. He was too demanding and too penetrating with his gaze. She felt that he could see right through her, and know the few secrets that she did keep.<br><br>She stood for just a moment, counting to a minute or so in her head with her back pressed against the column. Taking a generous gulp of her wine she peeked out into the rest again, hoping to find a friend soon.<br>
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				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>20-10-2008, 04:49:36</strong>
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				Lucius Licinus Flavus silently took in the throng of activity about him. A faint smile graced his lips as he mused “Sometimes it’s odd to be in Rome again.” He raised his glass of wine to his lips as he took a gulp of the sweet, crimson drink. He let the wine roll over his tongue as he rather thought this particular vintage hailed from Greece. He found himself slightly ill at ease as he tasted the wine, peace and Rome had seemed a distant thing until the last number of months. The last seven years of his life had been something of a blur, and all but a few months of them had seen him tromping through Gaul, the breadth of Italy and then in Greece itself. His eyes had a steely colour to them, a mingled gray blue hue that seemed not uncommon among the Roman aristocracy, and for the moment they wandered over the assembled crowd of people. Those he recognized were principally men whom he’d come into contact with in the Legions and a smattering of family friends. His toga was immaculate in the richness of its wool, although to some extent he found it to lacking the panache of his tribune’s cloak with its scarlet hue and purple stripe. While years in armour left him feeling slightly naked in a tunic and toga and lacking a sword at his side.<br><br>Flavus’ hand rose to slide his fingers through locks of the golden hair that had been his name sake. He straightened a few unruly locks while gazing at his reflection in a pool of water in the corner of the room. Another gulp of wine was downed as he turned towards the crowd, a faint smile coming to grace is lips. He spied Caesar making his way through the party goers, seeming to draw the attention of all those gathered anywhere he went. Admiration would glimmer in his eyes as he observed his general momentarily, if those that had heard of Caesar’s deeds were impressed by his seeming ability to overcome long odds and turn any situation to his advantage – they hadn’t been there to experience it. Flavus often wondered whether there was anything the great man couldn’t accomplish? Although a wry smile accompanied that thought as the lone exception he could think of was to appease some of the jealous patricians in the senate. That was a resistance and source of conflict he rather hoped would fade. His own career inevitably trailed after that of his general, whom he was counting on to speak well of him when he sought further offices, thus those who opposed him either needed to be accommodated or marginalized as he saw it.<br><br>A grimace graced his lips as politics strayed through his mind. An excellent military record and a good family name were certainly key components to advancing one’s interest, yet he lacked the undeniable third – wealth. His family’s fortunes had suffered a rather severe blow during the revolt of the Italian allies. Lands had been unproductive for years as hostilities took place, not to mention taking years after that to be returned to profitability. This resulted in a rather absurd amount of debt being accumulated in his grandfather’s time.&nbsp; His father’s exertions had restored the family’s solvency although for those of the senatorial privilege they remained rather humble in their finances. His military winnings had left him rather more comfortable than he had ever been before – yet the wealth of his cousins of Crassus branch of the family was as the sun to his candle. Lucius Licinus like any ambitious Roman needed one of two things, a rich bride or a lucrative war – preferably both.<br><br>Flavus cut a rather striking figure - he stood six feet in height and possessed a rather broad set to his shoulders. The military life had drained any ounce of softness from him, leaving his body muscular and lean. His skin bore the same olive hue as all those present, although at the moment the chill of winter had drained away the deep bronze tan that had graced his features earlier in the summer and fall. His eyes possessed a rather intelligent glimmer to them, as they flickered through the faces in the crowd. His facial features were angular and rather strong in the jaw, while his chin possessed a cleft shape. Strong, masculine features and his fair hair and steely eyes seemed for the most part to have him counted handsome.<br><br>Flavus stopped at one of the tables where wine and food abounded to refill his glass with wine. Thereafter, he spied a group of soldiers he recognized rather predictably in the company of Mark Antony. Antony ever seemed to be surpassed in merriment and indulgence only by Bacchus himself.&nbsp; He began to make his way in their direction, but paused as he spied a dark haired woman leaning up against a pillar by herself. He found himself rather struck by her appearance and he paused to allow his gaze to stray along her. Her rather youthful appearance caused no stirring of recognition in his mind, nor would he likely recognize her even had they met previously given that he doubted the woman was a day older than 19 if that. A smile graced his lips as he rather abruptly altered his direction towards the pillar where she stood. <br><br>He heard a fellow tribune calling out “Flavus!” towards him in greeting, although his comrade was ignored as he casually approached the woman who stood on her own. He rather imagined that when they determined his destination any accusations of snobbery or ill manners would fade to jests at worst. An easy smile graced his lips as he stopped beside Livia. “I do not believe we’ve met, for I should think that I would recall it if ever we had. But that is a thing I hope to remedy.” Her silken garments and ornate jewelry were noted, thus he was able to rather swiftly deduce that she was connected to someone of wealth. He considered moments too late that he rather hoped that such a connection wasn’t as their wife as then his approach could lead to a rather awkward conversation later in the evening. However, it was too late to pay that consideration any mind hence he forged ahead summoning what charm he could as he observed “A pleasant diversion from exceedingly miserable weather isn’t it?”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kiara</strong> on <strong>22-10-2008, 04:35:26</strong>
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				The pillar was her cover, her own little sanctuary from the party. She much preferred to keep to herself, or at least a smaller, more familiar crowd. Her life up to this point, though, had been filled with parties and events both political and personal. She was always pushed here and there, put on display for everyone to see and it was worse now that she could no longer wear a child’s tunic. She was considered a woman now, and was to be paraded around in hopes of a marriage proposal.<br><br>Livia felt bitter about the prospects of marriage. She had a surmountable dowry, and did not have the power to choose anyone herself – it would be left to the father of the family. <br><br>Why should a woman enter a loveless union? Unfortunately her family made perfectly clear that she knew the answer: wealth and power. Her father, Livius Aurelius Pompius, was a high ranking senator, who had long ago put himself upon the task to rise to the position of Proconsul. That is before Caesar came into the equation; he held more spots in the government than Livia could remember. One thing she did not forget was that due to her father’s stature she was to be naught much more than a playing piece in a game. <br><br>“I do not believe we’ve met, for I should think that I would recall it if ever we had. But that is a thing I hope to remedy.” A deep voice crept up behind her, causing her to jump, spilling a small bit of her wine over the rim of the glass. “A pleasant diversion from exceedingly miserable weather isn’t it?”<br><br>She turned towards the man speaking to her, and lifted her chin to look up at his face. He was much taller than she, the crown of her head reached just above his shoulders. She studied his features, noticing that he appeared as if he had been chiseled from stone. The curve of his jaw, the slight cleft in his chin – it all seemed so perfect. There was no doubt in her mind that they had not met before, she certainly would have remembered.<br><br>Her features were much softer than his, she was of slight build. Her arms were smooth and lean, her hands soft and dainty. Her hair, blanketed with its chain of gold, was an intensely deep brown. She had emerald colored eyes; a hue that had ran in her family for generations. <br><br>“No, I do not believe we have met. You may call me Livia.” She easily recovered from her shock at being approached, and regarded him with a formal smile. She was able to disguise the disdain in her eyes as she did a quick survey of the party. She did not want to disappoint the family. “This is a fantastic function… much better than the cold outside. I was just debating whether I would have some olives.”
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				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>24-10-2008, 03:34:20</strong>
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				Flavus observed the woman he had been speaking to turn towards him. Her scrutiny of him was greeted with a rather easy smile. His gaze remained lingering upon her as he seemed content to study her in turn.&nbsp; His blue gray eyes strayed over her soft features, peering into her captivating green eyes and thereafter wandering over her willowy form with apparent interest. He appeared to take some pleasure in simply gazing at her for he seemed in no particular hurry to do otherwise.<br><br>Flavus nodded slightly to her as she confirmed that they had not met. “I should not have thought we had. I’ve been with the legions for a number of years now.” He grinned slightly as he noted “And when last I had the pleasure to frequent such gatherings as this you might have been a bit youthful for such festivities.” He nodded slightly to her as he remarked “It’s a pleasure to meet you Livia.” He glanced over to the gathering of toga clad legionary officers one of whom, his friend Titus Lucretia Triciptinus, had called out his name but a moment before.&nbsp; “As you might have heard I am Flavus”<br><br>Flavus raised his glass to his lips and took another swallow of wine. “Well I haven’t sampled the olives as yet, so I cannot offer much in the way of comment upon their quality.” He grinned slightly as he noted “There is more than passable wine, and I should think the food will prove to be its equal so long as one avoids the so-called ‘delicacies’ that tend to be served at these sort of events.” He chuckled softly as he noted ‘I find most of them make my stomach turn.”<br><br>He smiled “But if you desire olives let us get some.” He suggested as he nodded his head over towards the table itself. The blonde haired tribune, let his eyes stray over the room as he recognized a few more familiar if not necessarily friendly faces. After a moment of relative silence he mused “It’s good that everything has settled down now that Caesar has defeated his opponents. All that unrest and hostility between Romans was unseemly. Now he and some of his opponents attend the same parties and all appears to be forgiven. Isn’t that Cicero over there?” He grinned slightly “Of course there are always some that won’t let a quarrel go, but its bad for Rome. It’s far better for everyone when we direct our hostilities towards conquering far flung lands. Civil war is so very unseemly.”<br><br>Flavus offered her a charming smile as he noted “Although hopefully I don’t bore you with such talk of politics. I know some people find it dreary. In any case I think I see the olives over there by the bread and the oil. I do confess a certain hunger of my own so food seems a good option. But perhaps you can tell me more of yourself Livia?”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kiara</strong> on <strong>26-10-2008, 06:57:35</strong>
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				Livia continued to look longingly over her shoulder at the tables holding the array of foods. Her very first instinct had been to try to slip away, to find solace in solitude. Instead she found herself becoming slightly intrigued with the stranger.<br><br>“Well Flavus,” her lips curled into the smallest hint of a smile as she spoke his name, “a soldier.”<br><br>She glanced at him over the rim of her cup as she sipped her wine, listening to him talk about the taste of olives. She lifted her wineglass to him in salute to its flavor, and wrinkled his nose at his mention of what some considered to be <em>delicacies</em>. “I tend to stray away from those myself…”<br><br>She turned towards the table, ready to head over, but her back stiffened at the mention of Caesar’s name. But what should she expect? After all, this was his dinner party, and Flavus had served in his army. She nodded in agreement to the things that he said, regardless of her, or rather her family’s opinions of them. It was her job to <em>be</em> the family at these sorts of events. She was the face of the Aurelius family as far as outward appearances were concerned. Fortunately, she seized the opportunity to jump on a good way out of this particular conversation.<br><br>“Oh yes, I terribly dread to hear a thing more about politics. It is all that my father ever speaks of, as well as most of the people at these kinds of parties.” She quickly let go of her small smile to turn her lips to a frown and shake her head, conjuring up a look of misunderstanding. “I myself am no politician, and so what is there to tell? Let me see…” <br><br>Her voice trailed off for a short moment as she started heading towards the food. “…I do want some olives. So about me, you asked, I was born and raised here in Rome – and have never stepped a foot beyond the city walls. You can devise a fairly good idea of me from that, I should think.” She twisted her neck to look at Flavus, “and what of you, soldier?”
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>30-10-2008, 00:04:06</strong>
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				Flavus noted Livia looking over at the food table before she seemed to return her attention to him. He assumed she was simply hungry rather than contemplating fleeing his company as she seemed to resume speaking to him rather shortly as opposed to seeking to generate some manner of excuse to extricate herself. He nodded slightly to Livia as he remarked “That I have been, although I suppose there shall not be so much call for that at the moment.” He offered her a smile as he noted “So I shall have to be an orator and lawyer, and seek to garner any further reputation in the forum and in the courts. A might bit less hazardous than a battlefield, if it does lack some of the directness.”<br><br>Flavus nodded to her vigorously as she stated she stayed away from some of the culinary oddities that surfaced at these parties. “A rather wise decision, and one more than a few people would benefit from.” He grinned slightly as he noted “If nothing else it would likely decrease the number of people suffering either shortly after eating or days afterward.”<br><br>The tribune watched the manner in which Livia briefly froze with respect to his political comments. He gazed at her for a moment as a brow was cocked curiously as he found her reaction puzzling. However, as she explained she found politics boring as it was all her father ever droned on about he murmured “Ahh well I see. I shall not speak any more of it then to you Livia. I wouldn’t want to bore you with it, if you’ve no care for it.” He chuckled softly as he noted “I can see your not a politician as your far too beautiful to appear as stodgy not to mention male for that.” A light tone entered his voice as he offered that comment in apparant jest.<br><br>Flavus headed over to the table and his eyes perused the food that was strewn across it. He collected a plate and scooped up several olives, some bread and a bit of olive oil in which to dip it. Flavus also had a servant refill his glass with wine, and he nodded his head over towards an unoccupied couch. “Let’s sit down.” He suggested as he made his way over towards it and sat down.<br><br>Flavus lofted an eyebrow as he noted “You’ve never left the city? That’s a bit unusual. Most families at least visit country estates in the summer, or head south to Neapolis to holiday there and take in its hot spring.” He grinned slightly “Well you’ve told me you’ve never left the city and you find politics dreadfully boring - so tell me then what do you do within the city and what do you find interesting hmm? I shouldn’t think it gladiator matches? But perhaps you enjoy the theatre or watching the chariots race?”<br><br>Flavus tilted his head slightly as he smiled “What about me? Fairly standard youth, I was schooled in rhetoric, oratory, Greek, Latin and history. I trained to prepare myself for combat. I was elected at 19 as a military tribune. Since then I’ve served in Gaul, Italy and Greece I’m afraid it kept me out of the city until recently when everything settled down.” He smiled “And while its nice to have seen various parts of the world, Rome is always home and I’ve missed it dearly and the family and friends I was parted with.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kiara</strong> on <strong>31-10-2008, 03:39:44</strong>
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				Livia gave a sigh of relief as he let her know that he would no longer speak of politics. To most people it was not her place at all to get involved with them, not was it her desire too. Considering her father’s position on ideas about the republic, she did not want to discuss such things with a stranger. As a child she learned that anything she said was not only reflective upon herself, but her family as a whole. A wise woman knows when to hold her tongue. She lightly laughed at his comment about her appearing too beautiful to appear as stodgy, and winked to try to play up on the fact that she was a woman. “Indeed, could you imagine a woman dealing with state affairs?”<br><br>She nonchalantly waved off her question, only meaning it in a rhetorical sense. At the banquet table she followed in suit with Flavus, taking a plate and putting a few olives on it. She picked up a slice of cheese and bread as well as she nodded in agreement to his suggestion of the couch. She sat down on the edge of the couch, leaving a good space between them so she could turn her knees towards him to talk.<br><br>She picked up one of the green olives, and slid it between her lips, savoring the tangy flavor as she chewed it. She could not help but smirk at his indignation at her statement of never leaving Rome. That fact was never a doing of her own; she would leave if it were possible. “I am sad to admit that my father does not take me on holiday with him. In fact, he rarely leaves the city himself, as he says that to truly make sure that things keep running in smooth order that he must stay here. I think he would know if a fly landed on the senate house floor, the way he keeps with the news. Though I suppose I over exaggerate when I say that I have never stepped foot out of the city walls; I have been swimming in the river Tiber, and have been to the Campus Martius to see the Chariot Races.”<br><br>The wine in her glass was beginning to run low, but she took a small sip before continuing, “There are many things of interest within the city though. As I have said, I do see the races - they are most exciting. The gladiatorial events can be enjoyable as well, assuming that there are good contenders. I prefer them to be well matched, man against man. The beasts should be left in the wild… Theatre can be fun as well; I like to see the comedies… though mostly, I am always anxious for a holiday. I enjoy when crowds of people flock to the Forum to see the parades, everyone gets to enjoy those days together. They are quite peaceful. You will see.”<br><br>She stopped talking for a moment. “I apologize, I am just droning on and on. What kind of entertainment do you look forward to?”
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				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>01-11-2008, 04:10:51</strong>
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				Flavus offered Livia a grin as he noted “Ah yes, wouldn’t that be absurd? The Senate would wind up debating over what hours shops should be open, and meddling with healers and herbalists. Not really the sort of things that government needs to concern itself with.” He seemed to play the absurdity up both in tone and in comments. Women in government – struck him as an absurd idea to the tune of lions laying down with lambs, and dogs with cats. He smiled to her as he continued in a more conciliatory manner “Although some of them like to speak of it all the same and actually do have rather well informed opinions.” He winked to her as he laughed and noted “And there are a few senators who have been known to vote one way or another simply because their wife would never have forgiven them for being contrary on such a matter. However, as I said I shall not seek to bore you with it.”<br><br>Flavus watched Livia retrieve a few things from the table as well before joining him upon the couch. He turned to face her as well. He tasted a few of the olives himself. Although truthfully he found nothing remarkable about them, indeed they tasted much as any other olive did to him - salty. He relished far more the bread, as it had remained slightly warm and when dipped in the slightly acidic tasting oil it was absolutely delicious. His lips had that slightly tart taste lingering upon them until he washed the bread down with a rather large gulp of wine.<br><br>Flavus lofted a brow to her as she stated her father never took her with him when he left the city on a holiday. “Ah well, some people do get it into their heads that they are indispensable.” He jerked a thumb towards the crowd of people gathered around Caesar as he stated “That’s truly the only indispensable man in the city. Anything happens to him and everything will go to Tartarus.” He smiled as he noted “Your father should be aware of that and know that he can afford to leave occasionally and let his family enjoy the countryside.” He grinned slightly as he noted “Ah did you like the chariot races? They can be quite exciting eh? Always seems like the teams of horses are so near together to be on the verge of crashing into one and another. Just as it must have been when fighting in chariots was still in vogue so many years past eh?”<br><br>Flavus grinned slightly as he remarked “Ah you like to see the gladiators then? Some women find it altogether too blood thirsty. Although it is a fascinating spectacle, I agree its best to see two fighters of relatively even ability strive against each other. The beasts are ever at a disadvantage. Well at least unless they send out the lions or tigers against some poorly armed man who has done something to irk those that arrange the spectacles. However, even then it’s not so much a contest as an execution. I prefer to see a back and forth struggle of skill. Many of gladiators are really quite remarkably talented with their chosen weapons and that’s something I can certainly appreciate.” <br><br>Flavus nodded to her other comments before he remarked “The parades are always delightful, I remember marching in one of the triumphs. All the prisoners, all that gold and wealth paraded, every last one of us with his armor all polished up and with brand new crimson cloaks. It was quite a site.” He smiled as he added “Theatre can be interesting as well, the comedies are always rather entertainig. After all if we can’t laugh at ourselves as Romans we’re going to get a bit too full of ourselves. You need to be able to laugh or you’re taking yourself too seriously.”<br><br>As she asked what sort of entertainment he looked forward to, he raised his wine glass to his lips and took another sip. A mischievous grin graced his lips as he responded “I look forward to this.” He leaned forwards towards her slightly as his hand reached out to gently brush against her cheek. “I look forward to the company of a beautiful woman. And I wouldn’t say you’re droning on in the least, I’ve found you rather engaging thus far.”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Kiara</strong> on <strong>09-11-2008, 01:34:02</strong>
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				Livia flicked her emerald eyes to her lap as his hand brushed against her cheek, drawing out a pinkish hue. She had never been touched in such a way by another man before. Over time she had grown accustomed to their eyes upon her. She actually grew to enjoy the attention, though none had ever done more than look. She thought that most were too intimidated to court her, because of her family and her father. So to truly be touched by someone in that way was quite different than what she was used to. <br><br>For once her tongue completely failed her. On most occasions she would have been able to pull out some witty retort. This time she was stunned, and just nodded in response to his comment.&nbsp; She took a small nibble of her cheese, still staring down. She let her eyes stray away from her knees, briefly looking up at him, “So how long will you being staying in the city?”<br>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: Cupiti Saltatus - The Dance of Desire (Methos and Kiara)</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Methos</strong> on <strong>09-11-2008, 05:36:26</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Flavus watched Livia’s cheek stain a rather pinkish hue. He hadn’t thought reaching out to touch her cheek terribly bold. For at parties such as these far more intimate acts were known to take place. However, the surprise that registered upon her features startled him a little. She did strike him as an innocent although, being possessed of beauty as she was, he had not considered that this was likely to ever be a woman who was devoid of male admirers. He offered her a smile that he hoped was reassuring as he drew slightly closer to her. He took another sip of wine as his mind idly wondered whose daughter this was, as the matter had yet to come up. Her garb suggested wealth, and her description of her father seemed to describe a self important busy body but unfortunately among senators that didn’t exactly eliminate a large number of men.<br><br>Flavus had expected some sort of reaction to his advance. Although stunned silence hadn’t really been the reaction he anticipated. He watched her curiously as she seemed to eat a bit of cheese and then eventually recover herself enough to ask how long he expected to be in the city. “Ah well, now that we’re at peace and my term of service is about over as a military tribune I expect I shall be around for quite a while. I may well be invited to take the field as a legate if there is another war in the making or serve on the staff of one of the governors, but at the moment I don’t anticipate such a thing happening. I believe as long as we are at peace I’m in Rome for the appreciable future.”<br><br>Flavus grinned slightly as he teasingly noted “Would you miss me already? Although I don’t think you’ve come to know me quite well enough yet that you should have regretted any answer other than that I mean to remain.” He smiled to her as he noted “So aside from a father who doesn’t let you out of the city, there isn’t a betrothed fellow around here that I should keep and eye out for who might be offended that I’m devoting so much time to speaking to you is there?” He gave the inquiry the tone of a jest, although it would betray a certain curiosity. <br>
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