"Let it not be said that I am not merciful. While most in my position believe the Animals to be nothing more than future sves, I believe that they are future sves who may be saved should they repent!"

  - Legate Publius Quintus Varro

  He had started to resign himself to the fact that his trip was for naught. The quality and temperament of the adventurers he'd been sent to scout was subpar to say the least. Most looked barely more notable than the standard rank and file soldiers of the Roman army, a bare handful appeared to his eyes as anything worth inquiring about.

  Augustus had attempted to persuade a group of four with honeyed words, promising riches and comforts far in excess their accustomed domains, but they'd ft out refused him. It had taken much of his training to maintain his regal composure, not letting a hint of the fury he felt from being spurned so leek through his expressions. After that he'd tried more unpleasant means, making the presence of his men apparent and fring an Aura of Dominion over the small group.

  The influence of his Aura finally yielded some results. Once he had their undivided attention he was able to entice them to come to a Cudii compound the following week, where they would be further assessed and presented with more final offers of patronage.

  He'd just been making his final rounds, regaling a young man with the benefits which would come along with patronage, when a vision of white and gold radiance descended into the room.

  She was big. That was the first thing which came to mind as Augustus took in the towering form of the curious non-human as she descended the stairs. Large white wings adorned her back, adding to her presence of form where her height hadn't already. The second thing he noticed was her attire, or rather the ck thereof. She wore a bar-wench's outfit simir to the Felis who'd been serving the room for the past hour, a light top, short skirt, and a leather corset. The difference was that where the Felis was light and slender, this woman was anything but. Each step down the wooden steps sent her chest bouncing, the twin mounds jiggling delightfully, straining the overworked corset as it tried to keep her bounty contained. It only partially succeeded.

  It was at this very instant that Augustus knew that the trip hadn't been for naught. His goal had been to recruit adventurers, which he'd only succeeded partially, but here y an opportunity for something more. He'd never seen a non-human like her before, and he was certain that none of the rival patrician houses would have either. If he could appear at the Ludi Romani with her at his side, or at least as an attendant, then he'd be able to lord over the fact that he possessed something unique that the others did not.

  And besides, by the look of her, he could definitely find "other" uses for her when he wasn't parading his prize around.

  She turned around to greet the other wench by the bar, giving Augustus an unobstructed view of her rear for the first time. Yes, she'd do nicely.

  He continued to circute the room, only half concentrating on trying to woo more adventurers to his cause. He kept one eye on the winged wench, waiting for an opportune time to begin ingratiating himself to her. By the looks of things, she was well liked by the patrons of this dump. She joked and flirted with people as she served, and surprisingly, no one got handsy with her as she waltzed to and fro (except those who paid for the privilege).

  Eventually he found his moment, finally able to extricate himself from the table he'd been propositioning, he moved to approach the woman. She was leaned over a table dispending mugs of foam topped drinks, and the view was incredible. Her short skirt was obviously intended for a woman half her size, and Augustus was just barely able to make out the mesmerizing treasures underneath. Seeing his prize up close was enough to solidify his resolve. While he might accept a refusal from a half-wit adventurer, this non-human in front of him would be his. One way or another

  She shifted her weight slightly, beginning to y a ptter den with roasted meats down on the center of the table. The action brought his attention to the breadth of her hips. Her wings were quite beautiful, the estate would look otherworldly if he were able to popute it with winged servants, and those hips assured him that he could create such a reality.

  She began to rise from her leant position, which drew his gaze to her hair. Long golden locks trailed from her head down to the small of her back. Augustus had many blonde sves, prizes from Gaul and the like, but this was something different. The words "golden-haired" were sometimes used to describe the pale yellow colour some northern women possessed, this was the real thing. It looked as though he could reach out and instantly become as wealthy as a senator if he could get his hands on those golden locks. It shone lustrously as the rays of the evening sun shone in through the windows, and Augustus knew that he had to act fast if he wanted to attain such a prize. That she'd remained uncimed until now astounded him, surely no self respecting patrician would let such beauty slip their grasp.

  She turned and started at his close presence. His eyes rose to meet hers high above his head. Standing so close to her brought her scale into proportion, his eyes were just level with the neckline of her outfit. It was certainly a pleasant sight, but he had business with other parts of her for now.

  "Hello my sweet" he said, unable to keep his pleasure out of his voice "And just who might you be?"

  Aurelia looked down at the man standing in front of her. He was obviously wealthy, his attire made of rich fabrics and polished bronze. From her conversations with the tavern's patrons before he'd confronted her she was able to gather that he was here recruiting for one of the patrician houses. It seemed that there was an increased need for brawn, and they weren't too picky where they got it.

  "Aurelia, my lord" She said demurely with a small curtsey, her years of etiquette training under the temple allowing her to present herself in the proper manner when dealing with someone far above one's own station.

  "I serve here at the tavern, tending to the patrons, milord."

  "I see that you do, Aurelia, it seems you do your work well. I've seen many a coin be liberated from their owners, when presented with your..." he paused, seeming to look for the right word. "services"

  "I've never quite seen a non-human like you, Aurelia. Where do you hail from?" he enquired, holding off from using any Aura yet.

  "I was raised right here in Rome, milord, under the care of the priestesses of the Temple of Ceres." she responded with a strained smile, her eyes darting to the bar, seeking any sign of Brann who might be able to help her get out of this situation.

  Augustus managed to keep the grin which was forming inside of him from showing on his face. The wench was practically hand made for breeding, and being raised by the Temple of Ceres only sweetened the deal.

  "Well Aurelia, I came here seeking capable hands for the Cudii, and can see none more capable than yours. I'm sure we can work out the conditions of your servitude, after all, we can offer so much more than... this" he said with a broad gesture of his arm, indicating the grand hall they were standing in.

  She stood still, not saying anything for a moment. Augustus supposed that someone like her would be astounded with the opportunity to serve in the hallowed halls of the Cudii, it was only natural after all.

  It seemed like she was finally able to get her thoughts in order, overcoming the immense gratitude which was sure to follow.

  "Thank you, milord, that certainly a generous offer..." She said, which Augustus was pleased to hear. "But I've decided to follow in the footsteps of those around me, and become an adventurer."

  For the first time today Augustus was surprised. He looked the girl up and down once more, unable to reconcile the image in front of him with what she'd just said.

  "I beg your pardon, girl, I thought I just heard you say you were trying to become an adventurer?"

  After a second she nodded, and repeated herself. "Yes milord, I've started to take on contracts, trying to get my feet under me and all." She said somewhat abashedly, seeming to lose confidence with every word she uttered in front of him.

  "I see." Augustus replied. This was unexpected, though not unmanageable. In fact, it gave him another avenue of attaining his prize. He decided now was the time to start heaping on the pressure. He wasn't going to take no for an answer, and the girl was starting to become evasive. He was going to get what he wanted, one way or another.

  Aurelia began to feel a slight pressure in her temples, as though she had her face submerged in water, though her head was completely dry. The man started to ask questions about her experience with adventuring, which she replied truthfully. She didn't see much use in denying her inexperience.

  She began to find it hard to look away from his gaze. His blue eyes seeming to pierce into her very soul, leaving her feeling naked in front of him. She'd rebuked his initial offer of service as graciously as she could manage, but now she wasn't so sure she should. It seemed that the man thought so as well. He reached into a coin pouch at his side and brought his hand up in front of him.

  "Two days from now, those I have recruited will be meeting at the Cudii compound by the Aventine hill. I expect to see you there."

  He then dropped a fat silver coin into her cleavage. Aurelia could feel it's weight as it slid between her breasts and into the small pouch she kept there just for this occasion.

  She was momentarily stunned by the amount of money he'd just given her casually. She'd only ever seen silver coinage in small slivers, usually for unusually rge purchases. Silver and gold was for senators and consuls, a full silver didrachm would let her outfit herself in most of a set of bronze gear.

  He then reached into a pouch once more, but this time what he produced was not a coin. He handed it to her pinly, Aurelia accepting it in her hand still without words from the gift she'd just been bestowed. What rested in the palm of her hand was a circur lump of bronze, with the images of twins suckling a wolf on one side, and a serpent on the other.

  "It's a marker given by the Cudii to those they wish to denote with some significance. Should you decide to start your servitude early, simply present this at any estate owned by the Cudii. Tell them that Augustus gave you this marker, and you shall be brought to me"

  "I foresee great things in your future, Aurelia. Fortuna only gives her blessings so many times, don't squander it."

  He left her standing there, motionless as he was surrounded by his guards once more. They left as abruptly as they had come, dramatically sweeping open the doors to the outside and his waiting carriage.

  Aurelia swallowed once, and looked down into the palm of her hand once more.

  It seemed as though she had a choice to make.

  SarcasticMisfit