Sara

She offered him a glare, but it was weak compared to the one she had shot him the last time they'd met. She felt wrung out over everything that had happened over the last few weeks and didn't need him here, now, in her home judging her. "It's not that bad." She protested again and wrapped her arms around herself, clutching onto the tunica at her waist. "I was cooking. Owners cook for their slaves on Saturnalia. My mother couldn't this year, so I did." She gave him an imperious little look before she moved to and sit down on a bench, too tired to argue with the men ripping up the potted plants from their resting spots and her family laughing through the columns a little way off. She swore she even heard her mother chuckle. "I presume the domus is not going to catch alight from the kitchen?" TAG: @Chevi

Of course. Of course, of course, of course. The Gods had decided that the twisting feeling of something in her gut wasn't enough, the letter to his brother wasn't enough, a fire at her domus on the first day of Saturnalia wasn't enough. No - her punishment for whatever transgression she'd done at some unforetold time in her past - needed to be much more visceral, and she clearly needed to see him. Dressed like a slave, with burned flowers in her hair, red-raw eyes from smoke and a cough she tried to smother in her palms. Of course. "It's my fathers domus." She snapped and then whipped her head to see a tall blonde trying to cart off her mothers favourite yellow rose. "Put that down, it's my mothers!" The blonde gave her a smug grin and shrugged his shoulders, speaking in a language she didn't understand before trying again in slower, heavily accented Latin which sounded fake to her ears; "I no speak Lateen." He then snatched up the pot and hurried away. Prick. "The fire's not that bad." She choked another cough into her hands, "My slaves can put it out, my father just wanted to give them the night off." TAG: @Chevi

Ovinia jumped at the sound of sandalled feet barrelling out into the pristine, manicured garden. Four hulking, determined looking men with cloth drawn up over their noses and mouths ignored her - instead carting off large clay pots filled with roses and violets and crocus'. "What are you doing?!" She protested and hoisted herself to her feet, wobbling. Thank the Gods her mother was safely back in the triclinium and out of sight of this. It might be the moment that pushed her over the edge. She covered a cough in the crook of her elbow and sniffed, eyes still stinging from the smoke that lingered around the domus. "Father!" She called out in protest, as the men lugged the plants, "Lucius!" She called to her favourite, middle brother. Of course she didn't realise there was more than one Lucius present in her domus. TAG: @Chevi

Titus arched a brow and then leant back to glance towards the gardens. "Might do. Better to try than let it all turn to ash." Their centurion was still outside the domus, or perhaps he was in the triclinium. Either way he wasn't here and so Titus whistled to get the attention of the handful of others with them and jerked his head. "Get any pots with plants in that you can find, bring them here. Go." The men pushed past him and Lucius to start rifling through the garden. He heard a shriek of protest and snorted, glancing sideways at Lucius as they made their way into the garden. "Guess the domina likes her plants better than her kitchen."

Ovinia listened to her mother moan in anguish, groaning and shaking her head and littering curse words down at her only daughter like they were shells of a nut being discarded. "Did the Gods not grant you a modicum of sense, girl?" Matia Tetulliana asked exasperated and leaned heavily against her cane, moaning again in pain. Ovinia, for her part, didn't move from where she sat slumped against the fountain. The garland of flowers in her hair was singed and she smelled of acrid smoke, but neither mattered compared to the harried shouts of the slaves and the sting of her burned fingers. And her mother, groaning above her. "Mama sit down, you're in pain." Matia snapped back almost immediately; "I'm fine! I should never have let you try...how are you going to run a house if you don't even know how to cook some bird? I should have had my sister here..." And on her rant went, complaining about her daughters schooling in the feminine arts. It only ended when she clearly had another arrow of pain shoot up her hip and her spine and she doubled over. Ovinia reached out a hand, smothering a cough in her other. "Vestia!" She called to a slave girl, nervously wringing her hands on the periphery of the garden, "Get my mother back to the triclinium." Matia looked to protest but Ovinia shook her head with a swallow, "I need to change and once the vigiles have gone and the fire is down, I'll join you." TAG: @Chevi

Titus hated Saturnalia. He hated it as a slave where he had to be decorated in stupid flowers that made him sneeze, and he hated in now he was a freedman and had to help put out fires that idiots started by not knowing how to roast some meat. How the rich had managed to run the Empire for so long, he really had no idea, given they couldn't even perform the most basic of tasks without freedmen and slaves to mop up after them. Literally, in this case. "Is your domina a fucking moron?" He blinked, stating in response to the slave. He could hear - through the domus, the sound of laughter. Evidently the wealthy of the house had decided that now the vigiles were here to clean up the mess, they could get back to their party. Fuck the slaves trying to stop it from burning down, right? "Stop!" He bellowed, as a rotund little man made to move back through the curtain to the kitchens with a bucket of water. "It won't do any good if the oil is what's smoking. You got any sand?" He asked the stunned older woman who looked like she might cry. Probably the kitchen slave whose domain was now charring as they spoke. She shook her head and he glanced at Lucius, bemused. "Any bright ideas, new guy?"

December 17th, 76AD Domus of Gaius Ovinius Camillus Smoke filled the kitchen in great plumes. It choked her, tarring her throat in a thick, horrible sludge and burning her eyes. She didn't understand. The kitchen girls had said to use oil, which is what she had done - liberally dousing the flames with the olive oil kept in its little stone jar. It had started to smoke immediately, which in Ovinia's mind meant there wasn't enough. Smoke came from when fires died, didn't they? She'd poured more on - plugging the liquid onto the flames until the smoke was so dense in the room that she feared she'd loose her way back to the triclinium where the slaves and her family were lounging. She'd groped into the smoke, finding a cloth which she used to wave over the flames, trying to stoke the fire and stop it smoking and start it burning, but in the gloom of the room she hadn't seen the end of it catch alight until she felt the pain snake up and over her fingers and she dropped, it, screeching, onto the wooden bench where her ingredients were laid out. The scream she let out as flames started to lick the wooden bowls prompted the arrival of the cook, red-cheeked and grinning from too much wine. When she pulled back the curtain though, to see her domina screaming at the fire and the choking cloud of smoke, the colour and grin drained from her face and she yanked Ovinia's arm to pull her out of the rapidly spreading fire. "Fetch dominus!" She bellowed down the hall as Ovinia, spluttering and choking, made her way into the garden, desperately drawing fresh, clean air. She heard her fathers booming voice, calling for the slaves and her brothers to fetch buckets of water from the pool in the atrium and the fountain she was slumped on. She heard a voice above her and blinked up to see her mother, leaning on a cane, breathing heavily; "What did you do girl?" Ovinia choked, coughing up more smoke, "I used oil! Like you and she -" She jabbed a finger at the panicking kitchen slave, "Told me too!" Her mother was usually in charge of the meal for Saturnalia, but given her illnesses this year, had delegated to her only daughter. And the rapidly spreading fire in the kitchen was the result. She heard her father again, louder this time; "Draw the curtain, stop it spreading into the domus and send for the vigiles!" TAG: @Chevi

A letter is delivered by a harried looking slave on December the 11th, 76AD. The note is written in neat script but has evidently come from somebody unused to writing, as mistakes litter the sheet, neatly crossed out. To Gaius Vipsanius Roscius, from Ovinia Camilla with apologies for the delay in this note. The last time we spoke I promised to send word, and that was some weeks ago. My father found out about your brothers situation not long after our winter walk in the gardens, and as we both - undoubtedly - predicted, he was not best pleased. I understand he is writing his own letter to yourself to formally end any sort of notion of a pre-contract or anything more, but I thought I would send word before it arrives. It is not fair for you to think this lays at your brothers feet. My father was disappointed, but in our conversation made clear that it would not be an impediment (if your price was right). My own feelings, however, leave me no choice but to say no. I asked for time, but time hasn't made things any clearer for me. You are the best of men, I have no doubt that you will be a wonderful husband and a father to a woman who deserves your affection. I do not think I am that woman. Perhaps in years to come I will kick myself for saying no, but I am nonetheless. I read once in one of my mothers love scrolls that it is trite to say 'it isn't you, it's me', but I can honestly say that is the case. I wish you good health, happiness and fortune Gais Vipsanius Roscius, and trust that we can remain - if not friends - then acquaintances that can share a smile when we inevitably see one another at a party or a dinner. You said I was not a disappointment, and I hope I am not one now. Until we see one another again. Farewell. TAG: @Sharpie

Charis sighed and met his eyes as he said it wasn't her fault. She was expecting some portion of blame, and when there was none she found herself frowning. This was not the Tertius she had been expecting but...that was the root problem, she could never tell which Tertius she'd get that day given his moods changed like the winds. "I'm not sure domine." She said honestly, with a sigh. She moved her fingers to tuck a stray wave of hair behind her ear and glanced around his tablinum. How many times had she been afraid to be summoned in here? And now here she was, sat opposite him, meeting his eyes, in league with him. Perhaps his moods weren't the only things that changed on the wind. Shaking the thoughts from her head, she flicked her eyes back to his face. "He seems very resolute, very determined. It's why he was so cross with me, I think. I tried to say that I think he'd not find what he was looking for, but that didn't seem to matter to him. What if he doesn't leave?" TAG: @Atrice

Longinus stifled a snort of amusement as she shoed her slaves further back, and managed to disguise it as a cough, pretending to clear his throat and take in the view. From the corner of his eye he saw one of her girls give a little pout and slow her pace, straining to hear their conversation. He glanced at Celsus - his big, hulking Dacian who gave him a grin and started, in his accented Latin, very obviously chatting the women up. Judging by the blushes on their cheeks, it was working. Longinus grinned and inclined his head. Before he'd married the first time, the rituals of women were an enigma to him. Antonia had educated him, however, on the art of hair styling and make-up and why it took her almost three hours to dress for dinner or an engagement. He suspected Sergia had been likewise tortured by the ministrations of her women, although she looked good for it. Her compliment, however, set him genuinely laughing - a wide, beaming grin sitting on his lips as it settled. "It's the running." He tossed his hair - in desperate need of a cut - dramatically, with a grin, trying to make her feel more at ease. "Up before dawn and then out through the Campus Martius to the Porta Flaminia, and then back to my domus in Regio XII. Gives me that nice wind-swept look." He chuckled. He preferred to take his exercise on the streets than at the thermae, but at least had the sense to do so when few others could see him and pass judgement. "You don't have to be nervous you know," Although he supposed asking her not to be nervous wasn't going to help much. "I'm not that frightening...ask my slaves, they'll say I'm an idiot really." Or Attis would, at least. TAG: @locutus-sum

Longinus grinned. "How about a tax on Senators estates worth more than..." He pondered a preposterously large sum of money out loud. He would fit within that number, given the value of his three terms of legate and the riches they had given him. "That'd be enough to fund the poor little orphan kiddies and all the grain we'd need. See who in the Senate actually cares about the people, and who just wants to lounge in their expensive villas." Longinus had more money than he knew what to do with...which is why most of it was sat in reserve at the villa. Wasted, and unused. Arching a brow, he shrugged. "Then the criminals and lowlifes of the city will be afeared," He raised his cup in mock toast, "To the glory of Lucius Vip...Lucius Something Something. Depending on who adopts him." He grinned. TAG: @Sharpie

Ovinia bit her lip and felt herself still, resolute in the fact that - judging by his reaction - he really was far too good for somebody like her. Most men wouldn't be patient, she was sure of it. Then again - her father didn't know what had happened, so perhaps he was merely resigned to the fact that it was almost as if it was out of their hands. Out of the corner of her eye she spied her slave scurrying across the grass to meet them, frown creasing her brow as she took in the tremble of Ovinia's fingers and her wind-flushed cheeks. She'd be in for a talking too later, she was sure. "Thank you, Gaius Vipsanius Roscius." She said with an exhale as her slave skidded to a stop at her side. "We should go to the litter, no need to send your slave." She glanced at Gaius. She needed to get out of here. She'd entered the gardens flustered and angry and upset and now was left feeling little more than dejected and...confused. It wasn't comfortable and she needed to leave. "I'll send a note. When my father makes his decision." And when I make mine. TAG: @Sharpie

Ovinia felt like an utter idiot and she pointedly kept her eyes diverted to the ground. Intrigue had got the better of her, as had Alexius' easy going nature but she shouldn't have asked, let alone in public. She opened her mouth to start an apology, but he spoke first. His answer didn't help her embarrassment and she didn't dare look at him. He knew them, men and women like the blonde that had taunted her with that feline smile at Tiberius' party. Was it more common than she thought? The profession? Or was it simply due to Alexius' class? She pursed her lips, finding it intolerable that a) she should be so embarrassed and b) that everybody seemed to be in the know but her. Dodging round the crowds she finally flicked her eyes up to him at his question. "No. I..." She narrowed her eyes and let out a huff of annoyance. "That's clearly not the only reason men go." She shook her head, but it was good to know that was a possibility, "I was at a party. An important party, and some of the men had invited a...prostitute, and pretended she was only there to play her music. I..." She exhaled again, "They were both unmarried, the men so they don't have the excuse of a poor marriage to know her. I don't understand," She darted and ducked between the throngs of people as they almost entered the arena, "Why they would waste their money on...that. Her." she corrected herself, "She wasn't even that beautiful." She added with a petty mutter under her breath. TAG: @Atrice

He divorced her. Interesting and she arched a brow, as if willing him to go on. The crowds jostled around them and Ovinia wrapped herself tighter into her palla. She was most definitely overdressed and tried to effect an air of confidence even as plebs gawked and smirked as the pair of them walked on by. When he did speak, it seemed to be after some great hesitation. His words immediately confused her and she blinked at him for a few breaths, a frown creasing her brow before the pieces slotted into place and she realised what he meant. Tempted. Right. She had asked for honesty and got it, but the thought still made her uncomfortable. She had always thought there must be a reason that she hadn't been told much of romance or sex or relationships beyond the simple reason that women of her class were supposed to be virginal and pious. But recently that had caused her more problems than it had benefited her. The party, in particular, still sat in her mind like a sore point as did the confusion that tugged at her chest whenever she thought of certain men. "I see." She managed to say as she weaved nimbly through the crowds on the way to the arena. "Alexius," She glanced sideways at him, realising if she was to foray into this conversation then it would pay to be bold, "Have you ever visited a prostitute?" No sooner had she said the word than her cheeks began flaming red. TAG: @Atrice

He saw her face and immediately wanted to swipe Celsus over the head for suggesting he bring the dog. He glanced between her and Rugam and could see precisely why that light frown of worry was on her forehead. He'd lived with the dog for over half a year and knew it was about as vicious as a butterfly, but to look at its wrinkly face and enormous frame, it didn't exactly appear so. He cleared his throat. "You don't have to lie," He chuckled with an easy grin, "He's ugly as b-" balls, "Anything, but he's a gentle giant really. A gift from Senator Sulpicius Rufus, a joke gift I think." He held out the lead to his right and Celsus begrudgingly stepped forward to take it. Rugam let out an almighty bark and if dogs could smile, that's exactly what he was doing. "Do you want to walk a bit?" He gestured with his head through the portico. He had boundless energy for a man only a few years off forty, and that energy was only exacerbated when he was nervous. He shouldn't be nervous, he was a very decent prospect for a patrician maiden, although nonetheless he was. His history with one deceased wife and one failed engagement didn't exactly make him feel confident that he'd fare any better in the future. "You look lovely by the way." He smiled at her, trying to relax a little. TAG: @locutus-sum

Longinus snorted in amusement and gulped down his mouthful of wine. He'd always assumed - wrongly perhaps - that Gaius enjoyed senate life in a way he never had. The sessions were mind numbing to him, the speeches were as dry as the deserts in Africa Proconsularis and the men - his colleagues - were likewise. He'd complained as much to Aulus and Titus too frequently to count, but both seemed to actually take something from it. He had no clue why, and nor any idea how Aulus managed to keep from falling asleep sat up front during the most recent debates on grain charges. "So maybe your brother will rout the gangs, sort the city out and our esteemed colleagues will lose their money and lose their seats," He grinned, "Get some new blood in the building, maybe. Or at least something more interesting to talk about than packages for orphans from the civil war or grain." TAG: @Sharpie

Charis nodded. It was strange, and her conversation with Wulfric hadn't made it any less so in her mind. He had seemed so earnest, and so insulted by the suggestion that he should be here for a purpose but...why would he travel half way through the world just to meet a man that had slept with his mother and then left? It made no sense to her. She tried to imagine what she would do in a similar situation and couldn't picture it. She would surely be angry? Angry that her mother had been used and abandoned? Angry that the man had never even bothered to write or send word? Wulfric's motivations just...didn't make sense to her. She kept her eyes on his face as he pondered their next move. For a moment she couldn't quite believe he was actually asking her opinion...when was the last time he had done that? She opened her mouth to speak but he cut her off, telling her to be honest. The ghost of a smile drifted on her lips. Together. What an odd concept for them both. "I...think I should leave him be. He...doesn't seem like he would listen to me, he doesn't believe me. I don't know if Teutus has more connections with him, that could be another way I suppose..." Although whether Teutus would agree to help was another matter. "I'm sorry domine," She winced and dropped her eyes out of habit. "I should have been more careful but..." Unlike you, she thought to herself, "He read my intentions so easily. Within moments." it was immensely frustrating and after a sigh, she flicked her eyes up again. "What will you do?" TAG: @Atrice

Ovinia wanted to protest that the weather had nothing to do with her indecision, and that women - even slight, young women - weren't so easily confused and disorientated by the cold but she bit her tongue. He managed a clumsy compliment and she looked down at her clothes. At least he'd recognised they were fashionable...if entirely impractical. She nonetheless dutifully followed him as they turned them back towards their waiting slave. She could see her body slave's curious expression even from fifty paces off. "No, I took a litter, it's waiting at the north entrance. Thank you." She offered to him, grateful he'd have the foresight to send his slave rather than her own. He was clearly pondering something as they walked back towards the slaves, her having to lengthen her stride and take two steps for each of his, despite her height. It really was freezing. "I'm sorry if I'm a disappointment to you." She said as they drew near, but still out of earshot of the slaves and she slowed to a stop. "I meant it when I said you're a good man Gaius." and that hopefully, if this doesn't work out, you'll find your next potential bride less mind-boggling. TAG: @Sharpie

Ovinia made a noise of agreement. That was exactly her quandary - although why it was now such a quandary when before she had been more than content with a prospect like Gaius, she couldn't really say. Alexius was perceptive though, she'd give him that. Listening to him speak of his wife, her interest was suitably piqued. There was more there than he was saying, quite obviously. Like the fact that he was referring to the woman in the past tense. She quirked an eyebrow and studied him; "She passed away? Or you divorced?" Both were common enough outcomes for a marriage, childbirth had its tolls after all as did desires. The fact that they were routine endings to a marriage didn't make her flippant tone any better though. She realised it herself and winced a little. "I don't mean to be insensitive." She bit at her lip, she had never been the most understanding of women. "And I suppose I was wondering how worldly you are." she chuckled and shook her head, "And if you'd understand. I...don't have many to talk to that have lived a life, or a life as exciting as yours I should say." The litter made a final heave and was promptly set down. She could hear the panting of the slaves from inside the curtains, and the noise of the crowds. She waited, as if it was obvious that Alexius should be the one to exit first and help her out. TAG: @Atrice

November, 76AD Longinus strained against the lead looped around Ragum's neck. The dog was only eight months old and already up to his thigh, he had no idea how big it was supposed to be but as he loitered at the Portico, he regretted bringing his birthday gift. Titus had really outdone himself with this one, and despite the fact that Celsus had said women liked pets, he wasn't convinced Sergia would like this one. He glanced over his shoulder to the brawny Dacian and gave him a look. He should have brought Attis, he would have talked him out of this. Negotiations had been going on for months now but he hadn't had a chance to see the lady alone. She'd attended the dinner with her Uncles but he couldn't quite get the measure of the young woman and if he was going to press ahead with a marriage, he needed to know it would work and wouldn't end in disaster as it had done with Antonia, and with Sestia. The thought of both women made a lump form in his throat which he swallowed down. He shook off the thought as Celsus cleared his throat, gesturing with a jerked head to a woman and small entourage approaching from the left - naturally, for her honours sake, she couldn't come completely alone. Ragum let out a bark of glee and Longinus was glad he prioritised his fitness and health so he could actually manage to pull the dog back. He grinned at Sergia and inclined his head. "Salve Sergia Auletia," Ragum barked again and Longinus chuckled, "Ragum also says hello." TAG: @locutus-sum

She gave him a curious look. Had he had a complicated life? Besides the slavery business and the arena, of course, but she wondered briefly - pretentiously - how complicated that could have been, in practice. He surely had his every moment dictated to. In her more morose, ridiculous moments she wondered if it might be quite nice to be a slave - to not have the burden of worries that the free and the rich had to bare. She nodded with a 'hmph' sound and then tried to rearrange herself in the litter to face him better. She heard a groan of exertion from one of the carriers. Fortunately for all they were nearly there. "He is. He's a good man. I don't know what I'm doing really, being so indecisive. I feel like I might have lost my mind." She gave him a faint smile. Gaius Vipsanius Roscius was everything she thought she wanted in a husband; handsome, clever, ambitious, rich and strong. He'd said it himself - he'd give her everything she had wanted, but ever since that party and the infuriating run in with the younger Roscius brother (as was), things had been unsettled in her mind and she cast doubts on even her most basic of beliefs. It was immensely frustrating, for somebody like her, who was so used to doing the proscribed, predictable thing. "I..." She stopped herself with a small sigh and a shrug, choosing not to divulge her conundrum at this precise moment in time. She'd warm up the conversation a little first, as the litter made its final way towards the arena. "Have you been married, Alexius?" TAG: @Atrice

Vibia rolled her eyes and shook her head, chuckling. "Ah Lucius, so sweet you still think people like us will find love." She gave him another look as he dropped a kiss to her shoulder. "Mavericks don't get love, mavericks get glory and infamy and such but...not love." She knew that - what was the point in chasing after a concept that was as much of a dream as say...financial security. "And me? Jealous?" She grinned and shifted until she was lying under him, "Oh sweetheart. Of course I'm jealous you'll get to go and find some new...cheap woman and leave me to my old Senators and such." She smirked, "Or you know you could bring your pissy patrician girl here. She could pay and I could show her what desire really is." She joked, "Then maybe she'll figure out what she wants." TAG: @Chevi

He was right. The arena would be fun. It would be violent and busy and the perfect place to lose herself and stop...thinking, just for a moment. He seemed almost curious in a way she didn't quite understand, and unsure of his words. Were the games not fun...? She blinked, but before she had time to query it he asked what was on her mind. She huffed and shook her head, glancing back out of the window to the street. She didn't want to talk about it - didn't quite know how to talk about it and she barely knew Alexius. For all she knew if she mentioned it to him, it'd be on the walls and streets of Rome in graffiti the very next day. She glanced back over to him and sighed. That wasn't fair. He had - for all she knew him - seemed a good man. And an honest one. "I am having marriage woes." She gave him a half smile, twisting up one side of her lips. "I need to make a decision on a man and I'm not sure what to do. And..." She shook her head, "I...embarrassed myself at a party, a few weeks ago, more than a few weeks ago actually but...I can't get it out of my head. And...ugh," She raised a hand and pressed her fingers to her forehead, "Life has become complicated." She gave him a sad, childish look, "In a way I never thought it would and...I don't know why. I..." She groaned again and slumped down a little in the seat of the litter. "I'm having a crisis, Alexius." TAG: @Atrice

She grinned that alluring, disarming smile and settled further down into the bed at his touch. Yes, she was another woman and what a woman she was. Really, he was lucky. Most people had to slum it with their slaves or plebs when they wanted to get over somebody. But he protested again and she groaned, rolling her eyes. "Yes. Quite. She was quite plain, from what I remember." At least to Vibia. She'd been pretty in the way that all people with money are pretty but she was a brunette with dark eyes and a willowy frame. They were a common sight in the city, unlike her blonde hair and ice blue eyes. "But you only have me for another few hours." She smirked and moved to run her own fingers over the muscles of his back. "You'll have to find somebody else when you're gone, and if it's not going to be the Patrician Princess, you'll have to find yourself a nice pleb. But don't go to the Elysium." She wrinkled her nose with a chuckle, "Unless you want your manhood and coin purse to fall off." TAG: @Chevi

Charis dutifully did as she was bidden and stepped further into the space, moving to take a seat opposite his desk. As he allowed her to look up she hesitated, a sigh falling from her lips. After a beat she finally flicked her eyes up, blue eyes meeting blue and sat back a little in the chair. Where to start? He seemed almost...excited and she wondered how long that would last. "I went to the warehouse, where he works. It wasn't hard to find him - I asked some of the market sellers if they knew a new, Germanic supplier. They pointed me in the direction quite quickly." And that was the last smooth part of the afternoon. She winced and then shook her head, a weak smile on her face as she met his gaze; "I'm sorry domine, I tried my best but...it did not go well." She fidgeted a little in the seat, still finding his gaze and his presence and authority discomfiting. "He repeated that he was just here to get to know his family, not for money, not for anything and...when I pressed him he got suspicious. Said that you had sent me and he asked me to leave." She gave him an almost apologetic look, "I...am not sure if I believe him or not but we left it badly. I...don't think I'll get another chance to ask him." TAG: @Atrice